Dallas rapper ian seemingly came out of nowhere in 2024. His debut mixtape, Valedictorian, churned some critics stomachs, but also turned some heads. He likes to borrow from artists like Chief Keef and Future, while putting a bit of a cloud rap aesthetic over it. Then, just a few months later, he would go on to drop his debut album, Goodbye Horses. This effort once again got some similar response from the in-depth analyzers, but his cult following remains strong. This sudden success has led to some backlash from his contemporaries as well, especially Tyler, The Creator. Love him or hate him, he’s been having a banner year, and it’s led to some major collaborations, tours, and respectable numbers on streaming.
But despite all of that, and with 2024 coming to a close, you would think ian would be fine just moving into 2025. But no, he’s come back again this weekend with some new material. This time, it’s a new track called “No Way.” Based on a recent post to his Instagram announcing a part two to his ian US tour, this cut seems to be more of a loosie rather than a single. However, we feel it’s one of his best songs to date. The topical focus on separating yourself from badgering haters while winning in the process is always going to hit home. It’s a relatable listen and the production sounds much more polished and put together compared to some of his material from earlier this year. Go check it out with the link below.
S*** gettin’ closer and I’m still runnin’ I’m tryna force it, but I just can’t Still tryna laugh when this s*** not funny Nothin’ is normal, but that’s okay I’m movin’ slow, gettin’ fast-a** money Ran out of hope, but the bag kept comin’
Tyler The Creator has been called many things throughout his career. But, a new accusation thrown onto the “St. Chroma” rapper’s jacket has fans hip-hop fans furious.
A line in Tyler The Creator’s latest Chromakopia single, “Thought I Was Dead,” didn’t sit well with famed producer Mike Dean. “White boys mockin’ this sh*t and y’all mad at me? Y’all can suck my d*ck / Pull up old tweets, pull up old t-shirts, all that, I moonwalk over that b*tch,” raps Tyler in the track’s opening verse.
Shortly after learning about the line, in an Instagram comment (viewable here) Mike Dean accused Tyler’s bars of being racist. “Racist sh*t,” he wrote.
Tyler hasn’t responded to Mike Dean’s call-out. However, users online have turned to script on Mike Dean. “Mike Dean is much of a troll as Tyler don’t take this serious,” penned one user.
Others stood in full support of Tyler’s bar, alleging that it was a necessary did at Lil Yachty’s artist Ian.
“Racist for stating FACTS? This gaslighting ass sh*t outta here,” chimed another.
“Tyler’s comments were thought-provoking and deserve thoughtful discussion. As an artist, he often uses provocative language to challenge perspectives,” added another.
This isn’t the first time Tyler has supposedly addressed Ian’s entry into the culture. Back in August, during an appearance on SpringHill’s Mavericks With Mav Carter podcast seemingly called out those propping Ian up, saying: “[There’s] this white kid, regular Caucasian man, and he’s like mocking Future and Gucci Mane… like rap music. People are like, ‘this sh*t hard.’ It’s not even like satire… I hold rap music so close to my heart. This sh*t changed my life and everyone’s life around me.”
Watch Tyler The Creator’s official music video for “Thought I Was Dead” above.
Chromakopia is out on 10/28 via Columbia. Find more information here.
For better or for worse, ian has been one of 2024’s breakout acts. The Dallas rapper has made headlines for his approach to hip-hop. Some have praised him for the way he’s been able to cultivate his sound, and he received a Lil Yachty co-sign when he first debuted. Others have classified him as a culture vulture, a white man mocking Black artists, most notably Gucci Mane and Future. Tyler, The Creatorwas the most prominent critic of ian’s work, which led to lengthy debates online about the legitimacy of ian’s artistry. Regardless of how one feels about his music, one thing is undeniable: he has not let the criticism slow down his output.
ian released his debut album Valedictorian in May. Across the year, he’s also released seven singles, five of which did not make his album. The latest single, “End Up Gone,” released on October 4. The track is what one expects from ian’s work at this point. It has similar motifs to music released by New Atlanta legends, including Future and Young Thug, as well as some inspiration from Lil Uzi Vert in his delivery. The production is fairly simple, not demanding much of the listener. The same can be said for ian’s lyrics, as he does some flexing on his haters. ian’s had a highly successful year, finding a fanbase quickly. He began the year as the subject of similar discourse to when Post Malone debuted nearly a decade ago. Now, he’s taking a victory lap. Check out the new song below.
I’ll be dead before I pass this s**t I ain’t never-ever gettin’ past this b***h She don’t even know what this menu say, so she don’t even know how to ask for s**t Oh, God, forbid this s**t get hot, here you go, pass the noodle Old ho tryna sketch out my plot, she ain’t get past a doodle
The hip-hop community is mostly in an uproar over the newcomer, ian. The Dallas, Texas based rapper has been going viral online thanks to his average suburban white kid aesthetic and his way of interpolating rappers such as Yeat. Or if you ask Tyler, The Creator, he’s “mocking”Future and Gucci Mane “rap music”. Outside of the rageful mob of listeners, the California multi-hyphenate now seems to be one leading the charge. In a recent interview with Maverick Carter, he ripped into ian without necessarily saying his name directly. However, it was pretty clear once he said, “This white kid, regular Caucasian man”.
It seems like no matter what ian does, he’s going to have haters but he’s doing what he can to silence them with “Shut It Down”. This is a new “single” or “snippet” that was released onto his Instagram page according to Our Generation Music. Of course, this comes after his debut mixtape Valedictorian and its subsequent deluxe. The youngster is riding with underground rising star producer 2hollis for this track and this beat slaps pretty hard. As usual, there are some clever and hilarious lines from ian. No matter what camp your in right now, you have to admit that ian is here to stay.
Huh, wrist water, I can’t see the time, but I’m havin’ the time of my life, huh Huh, Chris Paul with the game on the line, I’m droppin’ a dime on him, huh I’m fried but I’m takin’ another, I’m ’bout to be out of my mind, huh I’m trying to change for the better, it’s drivin’ me f***in’ insane, hey He on the back, I’m on the cover, we not on the same page, huh I beat from the back, she grippin’ them covers like she on her last leg, huh
Tyler, The Creator isn’t shy when it comes to sharing his opinion. He’s been an outspoken person since he was famous. Nothing has changed, despite the fact that he’s now one of the most revered artists of his generation. He still highlights the things he has a problem with, and the specific people who embody said problem. Enter Ian. Tyler, The Creator didn’t mention the breakout rapper by name, but he did make it very clear that he has an issue with a guy who fits Ian’s description. Ian’s manager didn’t appreciate it.
The revelation came about during Tyler, The Creator’s recent appearance on Spring Hill. He broke into a discussion about a “white kid” that has recently become huge for what he considers to be all the wrong reasons. “This white kid. Regular Caucasian man,” Tyler noted. “And he’s like mocking Future and Gucci Mane… like rap music.” Tyler, The Creator then expressed confusion over why people are supporting the rapper in question. “People are like, ‘this sh*t hard,’” he explained. “It’s not even like satire… I hold rap music so close to my heart. This sh*t changed my life and everyone’s life around me.” The perceived disses against Ian did not go over well with the rapper’s manager, Bu Thiam.
Ian’s Manager Said Tyler, The Creator Sounded ‘Old’
Bu Thiam, brother of Akon & Ian’s current manager, calls out Tyler, The Creator after he allegedly dissed Ian in a recent interview with Mav Carter. pic.twitter.com/QMK3xacrvy
Thiam, who is Akon’s brother in addition to being a talent manager, clapped back at Tyler, The Creator. He attempted to shut down Tyler’s claim that Ian copies the likes of Future and other Atlanta emcees. In Thiam’s estimation, Ian is simply taking influence. The same way that, say, Tyler, The Creator does when he emulates Pharrell Williams. Thiam also noted that he was from the ATL. “Yo, I signed Ian and I’m from Atlanta,” the manager wrote on his Instagram Story. “He sounds nothing like Gucci or Future lol. It’s called influence.”
Thiam then turned the tables on Tyler, The Creator and essentially labeled him an old head. The rapper who was once championed chaos and being different has, according to Thiam, become a hater. Ian is the new wave as far as the manager is concerned, and should be afforded the same benefit of the doubt that Tyler was given. “I never thought I’d see the day,” Thiam asserted. “Where you become old and hate on the youth lol.” Which side do you agree with?
In a new interview with Maverick Carter for his series Mavericks, Tyler, The Creator sat down to talk about the state of hip-hop. He denounced “meme” rappers and those that the hip-hop world unjustly continues to make popular. “I don’t wanna seem like a hater. Sometimes I have hater energy ’cause I just think I’m that good,” he said. “I love this art form so much bro and there’s so many n****s out right now that aren’t musicians that are getting treated like musicians ’cause they make meme records. Publicly, they’ll be like, ‘I don’t give a f**k about music. I just do this s**t for money.’ It’s the Spider-Man meme of the next n***a when every publication is like, ‘Hell yeah, let’s put that out.’ You’re taking up space from n****s like me.”
One rapper Tyler, The Creator took aim at was St. Louis-based artist Ian. Ian frequently receives criticism by hip-hop fans because they consider him a Gucci Mane clone, or as someone pretending to be a rapper. Tyler seems to be one of those critics, though not by name. “This white kid, regular Caucasian man, and he’s like mocking Future and Gucci Mane like… rap music,” Tyler said. This is like… weird. Something about it don’t even sit well with me, in comparison to someone like Mac Miller or Eminem […] they had a genuine love for it, and they were still big.”
Tyler, The Creator Criticizes Ian For Mocking Black Artists
Tyler, the Creator seemingly calls out Ian in his new interview with Mav Carter
“This white kid, regular caucasian man, and he’s like mocking Future and Gucci Mane like… rap music. […] This is like… weird.” pic.twitter.com/favekbXkiY
Tyler’s criticism of Ian and the greater hip-hop landscape are not new ones. Fans, critics, and rappers alike have lamented the lack of creativity in the mainstream hip-hop space. Ian is far from the first rapper of his kind, but he’s the newest. He has also received co-signs from artists like Lil Yachty, which have boosted his career in its early days.
Elsewhere in the interview, Tyler, The Creator touched on other things that bothered him about hip-hop. Namely, the rush for fans to get on social media and call an album “mid” after one listen. “When artists put something out, the last thing they talk about is music,” he said. He also took the time to reflect on a past spat with Eminem, feeling that he owes Em an apology. The full interview is available to watch on the SpringHill YouTube channel.
Two rappers that know how to get debates going are Lil Yachty and newcomer, ian. The Georgia native’s evolution over the last year and change has earned him a lot of respect. However, at various points in this fan proclaimed, “generational run”, Lil Boat has been accused of copying other rapper’s styles and being a culture vulture. The latter of those allegations comes in conjunction with ian, who has essentially become a viral overnight sensation. He markets himself as just your average white suburban kid who hides his rap persona underneath. That combined with his Yeat influences clear as day on Valedictorian have led a lot of listeners to discredit him immediately. All of these reasons are why Lil Yachty and ian’s collaboration, “Hate Me”, comes at the right time.
This track is specifically for the haters, and it drops about a month after all of the aforementioned critiques were thrust upon them. Yachty and ian were also seen in the studio around that period, so this joint effort has been in the works. For now, “Hate Me” is out on YouTube only, and hopefully it gets a wider release because these guys snapped. Yachty and ian (in particular) have a lot of great one liners and quotables that fans are already gravitating toward (see below). Check out the #6 trending track for music on YouTube with the Lyrical Lemonade music video link.
When it’s gamе time, jump in clutch First thing in the mornin’, blunt First thing in the mornin’, I jump off thе porch and head straight to the Porsche, get to drivin’ like somebody chasin’ Rock it ’cause I can afford it, my pockets enormous, every time that I walk, I’m chafin’ You don’t know how to ball, you lazy You ignorin’ my calls, s*** crazy
You’d be forgiven for being unaware of 19-year-old Dallas rapper Ian. There’s an understandable generational disconnect when it comes to Gen Z and Alpha’s internet rap heroes. But look… it might be time to get familiar. Especially as he’s received the co-sign of Lil Yachty, the original point of generational divide between young millennials and their Gen X predecessors.
After bringing the buzzy teen artist out during his set to perform his breakout song “Magic Johnson” at Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash last month, he doubled down on his support with “Hate Me,” a defiant new single that gives the young rapper plenty of space to show off his lyrical talents. The song is accompanied by a glitchy music video directed by Lyrical Lemonade’s AMD for a simple, yet effective platform for both rappers to boast and slag off their enemies.
A SoundCloud producer turned rapper, Ian released his debut mixtape, Valedictorian, in May. Featuring a cover referencing the You Know I Had to Do It to Em meme hinting at a tongue-in-cheek posture (think a young Jack Harlow, but more ironic), the tape displayed a young talent very similar to rule-breaking predecessors like Yachty. A laughably bad review on Pitchfork probably did him more good than harm, especially as videos for “Magic Johnson” and “Figure It Out” (also a Lyrical Lemonade production) blew up on YouTube. With Lil Yachty’s backing, we’re likely to see a lot more of Ian in the future.
Quavo is a prolific artist. He was the first member of Migos to step out and find solo success by working with the likes of Drake and Travis Scott. He even scored a number one single opposite Justin Bieber. The Atlanta rapper does not discriminate when it comes to collaborations. That being said, his latest collab is a bit of a surprise. Quavo posted a photo on Instagram of him working in the studio alongside the latest rap breakout, Ian. A controversial pick, but one that ultimately makes sense.
Quavo posted the photo on his Instagram Stories on May 30. The rapper doesn’t appear in it himself, but it looks as though he’s the one who snapped the image of Ian in the studio. Ian, who was born Ian O’Neill Smith (shocker, we know), can be seen laying down vocals. We even get to see the audio file of whatever song Quavo and Ian are working on in the background. The Migos rapper tagged Ian, suggesting the two are going to be dropping something very soon. Aesthetically, Quavo and Ian are worlds apart. Culturally as well, actually. It’s the style of Ian’s music, however, that’s going to make this potential collaboration interesting.
Ian takes inspiration from trap rap of the 2010s, including Gucci Mane, Chief Keef and yes, Migos. The rapper’s recent album, Valedictorian, has taken the world by storm, for reasons musical and otherwise. Fans have been impressed with Ian’s ability to emulate his musical idols, while critics have criticized him for being a watered-down imitation of people like Keef and Playboi Carti. It’s easy to see both sides. The collab between Quavo and Ian will help to legitimate the latter’s reputation within hip-hop, and may even lead to other high-profile collabs.
Quavo, meanwhile, is hard at work on his upcoming solo album. There hasn’t been any word on a title or a proper release date, but the Migos rapper has been dropping singles. “Himothy” and “Potato Loaded” were buzz singles that failed to generate much attention. Quavo has also teased multiple snippets and collabs with artists like Rich the Kid and Lana Del Rey. He’s also working on piecing together songs for Takeoff’s posthumous album. “I’m gathering a whole bunch of information, gathering a lot of producers, gathering a lot of my friends, a lot of the artists,” Quavo told Vibe in 2023. “And we’re going to make this album one of the craziest albums of all time.”
In modern music, viral sensations can arise from unexpected sources. The meteoric rise of one artist has captured the attention of fans and industry insiders alike. As a bona fide viral phenomenon, Ian has risen above the underground scene with his breakout hit “Figure It Out.” Ian’s success lies in a blend of talent, clever marketing, and a keen understanding of social media. However, his journey began with humble beginnings, which showcased his persistence and dedication.
The Early Days: From Soundcloud Start To Underground Buzz
The artist, known simply as Ian Smith, was born in Dallas, Texas, and got his start as a producer and SoundCloud artist under the moniker “suburbancerberus.” By 2018, he was releasing mixes of other artists’ music, establishing himself as an underground rap artist. It wasn’t until 2019 that Ian began transitioning into a solo artist. That’s when he began producing tracks for up-and-coming rappers like Izaya Tiji and Lil Xelly. This experience helped him develop his unique sound and refine his craft, preparing him for his eventual rise to fame.
The years that followed saw Ian steadily building his discography. He released his debut single, “G63,” in July 2022. Then, his first EP, Only For A While, arrived just a month later. These early releases garnered attention within the underground community. It was, however, the viral success of “Figure It Out” in early 2024 that launched Ian into the mainstream consciousness.
A Viral Sensation: “Figure It Out”
The story behind Ian’s “Figure It Out” is one of sheer luck and savvy marketing. Originally released on the social video platform Triller, Ian’s song quickly caught the attention of TikTok users, who embraced its infectious beat and catchy one-liners. Videos of Ian playing his music in SoHo, New York City, started circulating online as the song gained traction, further igniting the viral frenzy. AMD Visuals directed the accompanying music video for Lyrical Lemonade, which featured former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch.
The line “My big brother like Marshawn Lynch, he’ll run through somebody” quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Ian’s unconventional image – a suburban white guy rapping with a distinct style – only added to his appeal. He challenged preconceived notions, drawing comparisons to artists like Yeat and Playboi Carti. To succeed, he harnessed the power of social media to connect with young music fans.
Signing With Bu Vision And Releasing Valedictorian
Following the success of “Figure It Out” and its follow-up single, “Grand Slam,” Ian soon attracted the attention of industry heavyweights. Ultimately, Ian signed a joint venture deal with Bu Vision, a subsidiary of Columbia Records. While Valedictorian solidified Ian’s position as one of the hottest new talents in the hip-hop scene, his journey to that point had been years in the making. His early days as a producer and SoundCloud artist laid the foundation for his current success. In the underground community, he developed a distinct artistic identity and built a strong fan base.
Ian’s Unconventional Path To Success
Although the music industry has undergone considerable changes over the past few decades, Ian has managed to forge his own path to success. His ability to harness the power of these new tools has been nothing short of impressive. Critics and industry insiders alike have taken notice. Many have praised Ian’s innovative approach and his ability to connect with a new generation of music fans. In addition to challenging long-held stereotypes, his unconventional image and sound have opened wider possibilities for hip-hop. One thing is for certain: Ian’s viral success may not be a mere fluke as he navigates the ever-changing music industry. A dedicated fan base, industry support, and an ability to craft infectious beats and memorable lyrics have made Ian a force to be reckoned with.
