Lil Yachty is a new rapper from Atlanta with bright red hair and a very sleepy voice. He half-sings a lot—not quite with Makonnen’s knack for a pop melody, but with a similar boldness. He has a verifiable fan favorite in “1Night”—3.5 million plays and counting—and some truly loopy followups. Feels like just the beginning for him though. Below, a brief history of his gifts so far.
Lil Yachty, “1Night”
This is far and away his biggest song, his meanest and his funniest. Tribute videos are popping up everywhere—dance videos, dramatic interpretations, recreations in Grand Theft Auto.
Lil Yachty, “Minnesota”
This song will either make or break your Yachty love. His is the first falsetto I’ve heard that sounds lumpy.
Swaghollywood and Lil Yachty, “Hollywood”
EVK95 of 808Mafia, who produced this gem, brings out Yachty’s Auto-Tune best on this chorus. Such fun melodies they’re both twisting.
Lil Yachty & K$upreme, “Die By Myself Freestyle”
Here’s one on the other side of the emotional spectrum. Very dire. Recorded with a laptop mic?
Lil Yachty, “Water on My Face”
This hook could be from a pop-punk song.
Lil Yachty, “I Don’t Fuck With Niggas”
Another one to give due props to the producer: BrentRambo’s drops are unreal. Yachty is fitting himself into a pocket that basically doesn’t exist with this beat. This might be the weirdest one.
Wintertime Zi & Yachty, “Courtside Choppas”
This one’s really soothing, though there’s not much to it. Ride out by pairing with “Wintertime on a Boat.”
