Lil Yachty’s psychedelic new album, Let’s Start Here, is doing better than anyone could have expected. Fans — including Questlove — gave it rave reviews as it landed at No. 1 on three separate Billboard charts. However, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t risky, and because it was such a departure from his usual output, it’s made the rollout and tour planning more difficult than it would have been otherwise.
Yachty detailed those difficulties in a new cover story in Billboard, explaining why putting together a tour was more complicated than normal. “This is so new for me, and to be quite honest with you, the label [didn’t] know how [the album] would do,” he said. “Also, I haven’t dropped an album in like three years. So we don’t even know how to plan a tour right now because it has been so long and my music is so different.”
The album also had a rough rollout since it leaked over the holidays. He’d turned it in nearly a year before its release but because Quality Control’s Coach K wanted to ensure the availability of physical media, it was held for the vinyl since pressing plant turnaround time is around seven months. However, the album leaked on Christmas under the name Sonic Ranch, which Yachty called “depressing and frustrating.”
He also said further leaks of the art, release date, and tracklist meant “I wasn’t able to do the actual rollout for my album that I wanted to. Nothing was a secret anymore. It was all out. I had a whole plan that I had to cancel.” Fortunately for him, it seems fans have absolutely accepted the album and now, all that’s left to do is finish planning that tour with his all-female backing band.
Lil Yachty’s latest project, Let’s Start Here ushered in a new era in his career. Since he emerged, he’s constantly faced criticism for emerging in the Soundcloud era. Some, like Joe Budden, felt as though he singlehandedly ruined hip-hop. In the past few years, the “Poland” rapper made it his mission to shake off the narrative that followed his name, which explains the huge leap he took with Let’s Start Here. The project felt more inspired by psychedelic rock rather than hip-hop. He accomplished what he set out to do on Let’s Start Here, earning praise from figures like Questlove.
The album came as a shock to many, especially since he didn’t drop a single beforehand. The only piece of music that could’ve indicated the direction of his next studio album was his contributions to Her Loss, and his viral single, “Poland.” The latter felt like a refined approach to his warbly rap records and received praise across the board. Not only from TikTok but from music critics who’ve written him off over the years.
Lil Yachty Felt “Irritated” By The Success Of “Poland”
During a recent conversation with Zane Lowe, Lil Yachty explained why he didn’t necessarily appreciate the positive reception to his viral single. He admitted it was “irritating” to see fans gravitate towards that song since he recorded it on a whim while working on Let’s Start Here. “I would’ve never dropped ‘Poland’ — ever — because I wanted to pivot myself into this,” he explained during the recent interview on Apple Music.
However, he still felt grateful for the impact that it had. “So I was really irritated when it dropped, but I’m so grateful it did. Like I said, I really don’t know what I do next. I don’t know if I’ma do this again or do more rap,” he explained. With the release of Let’s Start Here, Lil Yachty basically has the freedom to pursue whatever he wants musically. However, it’s clear that he hasn’t lost his passion for rapping either. Check out the interview with Zane Lowe above and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.
Lil Yachty’s song “Poland” proved to be one of the biggest viral hits of 2022. Though it didn’t appear on his 2023 album Let’s Start Here, which features Yachty experimenting with more psychedelic sounds, he revealed “Poland” was made during downtime in the album’s studio sessions.
In an interview with Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe, he said he was initially frustrated after the song leaked.
“That was irritating,” he said. “I was pissed because I made ‘Poland’ while making this album on a day when they were mixing sh*t in the other room and I was just bored with the homies, and I would’ve never dropped ‘Poland,’ ever, because I was trying to pivot myself into this. So I was really irritated when it dropped, but I’m so grateful it did. And like I said, I really don’t know what I do next. I don’t know if I’m going to do this again or do more rap sh*t… I’ll figure it out.”
Last month, Yachty announced he was assembling an all-woman band. Elsewhere in the interview with Lowe, he revealed his inspiration behind the idea.
“I just wanted to show how sick women can rap,” said Yachty. “I feel like… I was just in rehearsal yesterday. I just feel like women don’t get as much respect as men when it comes to the music industry. So I was like, ‘These songs are pretty badass, and I want to show women playing them.’ They didn’t make it, but I want to show they can do it, not better. So that was my vision.”
Lil Yachty’s new album Let’s Start Here elicited many different reactions due to its departure from his previous sound into a more psychedelic direction. Featuring artists like Justin Raisen, Sad Pony, Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Jacob Portrait, Magdalena Bay, and more, Let’s Start Here was a new chapter for the rapper. And it looks like it was a success.
According to Billboard Charts, Let’s Start Here debuted at No. 1 on three separate charts: Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums, and Top Alternative Albums.
.@lilyachty‘s ‘Let’s Start Here’ debuts at No. 1 on the following charts this week:
Top Rock & Alternative Albums Top Rock Albums Top Alternative Albums
About the project, Yachty voiced his desire to expand his sound before the release and not want to be pigeonholed or dismissed as “just some SoundCloud rapper.”
He explained, “This album is so special and dear to me. I think I created it because I wanted to be taken seriously as an artist. You know? Not just some SoundCloud rapper. Not some mumble rapper. Not some guy that just made one hit. I wanted to be taken seriously because music is everything to me, and I respect all walks of music. Not just rap and hip-hop but everything. I wanted to make something that showed the world that shows it, just how great music is to me.”
Lil Yachty came through with his latest body of work, Let’s Start Here on Friday. The project marked a significant leap for Yachty as he dived into psychedelic rock and soul in an attempt to establish himself as more than just a “rapper.” Ultimately, the experimental project led to a flurry of reactions. Some loved it, others hated it but overall, it created a dialogue surrounding Yachty’s artistry.
Pitchfork evidently didn’t hold the project in high regards. Alphonse Pierre gave the album a 6.0 in a review that detailed the highs and lows of the project. As with most Pitchfork reviews, it stirred up discussion online and Yachty had a brief analysis of the publication. “Lol pitchfork is so washed up,” Lil Yachty tweeted in response to the publications review.
The goal of this album is to go beyond all expectations and rules for rappers https://t.co/8GzOIBepkH
Despite Pitchfork’s review, artists like Drake and Questlove have had rave reviews for Yachty’s departure album. Questlove inked a lengthy review on his Instagram page, where he praised Lil Yachty for going outside of his own comfort zone. He also said Let’s Start Here gave him hope for the future of hip-hop as a whole.
“I really really really really love this @lilyachty record and I love when artists pull off a good departure record,” he wrote. “this aptly titled #LetsStartHere lp might be the most surprising transition of any music career I’ve witnessed in a min, especially under the umbrella of hip hop… Shit like this (envelope pushing) got me hyped about music’s future.”
The music Yachty released during his teenage years undoubtedly defined his sound. Over the years, he struggled to shake off the stigma attached to his name. When he was a leader of the pack of Soundcloud rappers that made it to the charts, he continued to face backlash from OGs and fans in general who weren’t happy with what he dropped. During the album release party, Yachty explained that he wanted people to take him seriously as an artist.
“I think I created this just because I really wanted to be taken serious as an artist. Not just some Soundcloud rapper, not just some mumble rapper, not some guy that made one hit… I respect all walks of music. Not just rap and hip-hop but everything,” Lil Yachty said. “If we gon’ be honest, there’s just a lot of n***as started copying the swag. And I felt like, cool, well, if everyone can do this then that’s fine but I’m going to show you what y’all can’t do.”
How do you feel about Lil Yachty’s album? Let us know in the comment section below.
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Let’s get this out of the way up front: No, Lil Yachty is not the first rapper to release an alternative project. Obviously, within the past few years, a number of artists have made swings that way: Kid Cudi, Machine Gun Kelly, and Post Malone all spring to mind.
Notably, though, Yachty’s new album, Let’s Start Here, isn’t just a departure from his own oeuvre; it also differentiates itself from its peers like Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven, Tickets To My Downfall, or Twelve Carat Toothache by tapping into a different lane in the psych-rock stylings of bands like Animal Collective, MGMT, and Tame Impala.
Yachty also took care to tap members of the modern psychedelic scene as collaborators on the album, recruiting Jacob Portrait of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Justin Raisen, known for his work with Yves Tumor and David Bowie, Patrick Wemberly from synth-pop duo Chairlift, and MGMT’s Ben Goldwasser to produce and play on it.
As Lil Boat himself put it ahead of the album’s release, “I wanted to be taken seriously as an artist, not just some SoundCloud rapper. Not some mumble rapper, not just some guy that made one hit.” While it would have been impossible to reduce him to “one hit” given he’s been directly responsible for several to date, the result of Let’s Start Here is that he’s received much praise — and criticism — for the creative risk of diverging so sharply with was thought to be his established lane.
It’s fascinating to watch the divided responses roll in. On the one hand, you’ve got those who are absolutely thrilled to see Yachty pulling from late-aughts Brooklyn barbecue staples like MGMT, evoking what’ll likely end up being the first wave of nostalgic nods to that era (right on time for the 15-year cycle, no less).
On the other hand, there are those who lived through that era who are if not perhaps a little grouchy about entering the second or third phase of internet-era nostalgia for their late teens and early twenties, then taking the same, high-handed hipster approach of being cooler than the latecomer (who was, I shouldn’t have to remind anybody, just 12 years old around the time Modest Mouse and Vampire Weekend ruled the airwaves).
There are those who undoubtedly see in Let’s Start Here echoes of the exaggerated fawning over Childish Gambino’s Funkadelic homage Awaken, My Love! Maybe they don’t want the originators, the King Gizzards and the Rain Parades, to get overshadowed by this upstart, as happens so often when imitators sometimes became the avatars of past scenes.
But then, when someone like Questlove, who’s been there for it all and is as unimpeachable as a music figure can possibly get, has such glowing things to report of the album, it’s hard to see Yachty’s creative grasp as anything less than a success for the recording industry as a whole — even if he doesn’t quite reach as far as some would have hoped.
As for myself, I land in that fourth quadrant of hoping for the best in all respects. I want this album to be the gateway for younger fans to discover the wealth of incredible art in its foundations. And I hope that it does cast Yachty in a new light, capable of besting the wobbly “Minnesota” and its spiritual successor “Poland.”
And I’m a little sad that a hip-hop artist still can’t really get his or her due operating primarily in that mode. Yachty sort of raps on a handful of tracks, like “I’ve Officially Lost Vision” and “The Alchemist.” But 50 years later, it still feels like hip-hop is an afterthought, a second cousin, a red-headed stepchild to every other genre, save for rare exceptions like the hyper-heady Kendrick Lamar or the genre shapeshifter Drake.
But I’m impressed that we’re in a place where an artist who was written off as a gimmick early in his career can rediscover himself like this. I love that the once solid walls between genres are now so fluid and hazy. The musical freedom this album exemplifies — not just for Yachty but for all artists — is heartening, especially in a world where algorithmically-generated music looms as an existential threat to the very nature of artistry.
It’s ironic that the cover of Yachty’s latest is an AI-generated monstrosity. It seems to mock the idea that the computers can do what flesh-and-blood artists can. They can take in influences from multiple sources and blend them together and spit out something approximating art. But they can’t take risks, they can’t change their minds, they can’t have the idea, and they can’t execute it in the one unique way that Yachty can. In only in proving that and nothing else, Let’s Start Here is a triumph.
Let’s Start Here is out now via Quality Control and Motown. You can get it here.
Drake has nothing but praise for Lil Yachty’s experimental album.
On Friday, Lil Yachty unveiled his latest body of work, Let’s Start Here. Though it warranted different reactions, it’s arguably one of Yachty’s best projects to date.
Drizzy, who attended Yachty’s album release party in New Jersey, shared his review of the album. The Her Loss rapper took to Instagram where he labeled the album a “masterpiece” at 11/10.
Whether or not you agree with Drake, Yachty’s undoubtedly showcased his range with Let’s Start Here. In fact, Drake isn’t the only reputable artist who publicly expressed their approval for Yachty’s new album. Questlove shared a lengthy review on Instagram on Monday where he praised Let’s Start Here.
“How should I put it? I really really really really love this @lilyachty record and I love when artists pull off a good departure record,” he wrote. “This aptly titled #LetsStartHere lp might be the most surprising transition of any music career I’ve witnessed in a min, especially under the umbrella of hip hop.”
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 22: Drake and Lil Yachty attend 21 Savage’s Freaknik22: The Sequel at Underground Atlanta on October 22, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/ GettyImages)
During his listening party, Yachty detailed the factors that contributed to his decision to think outside of hip-hop on his next studio album.
“I think I created this just because I really wanted to be taken serious as an artist. Not just some Soundcloud rapper, not just some mumble rapper, not some guy that made one hit. You know, I wanted to be taken serious because music is like everything to me. I respect all walks of music. Not just rap and hip-hop but everything,” Lil Yachty said. “If we gon’ be honest, there’s just a lot of n***as started copying the swag. And I felt like, cool, well, if everyone can do this then that’s fine but I’m going to show you what y’all can’t do.”
Following his appearance on Her Loss and the release of “Poland,” there’s been high expectations of Lil Yachty. Though many expected him to continue creating hip-hop music, few predicted that he would leap into another genre completely.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: *EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE* Lil Yachty attends Takeoff’s Celebration of Life at State Farm Arena on November 11, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for TVG)
Neither proved to be true and Yachty ultimately came out with a psychedelic rock album. On Friday, he blessed fans with Let’s Start Here, which was undoubtedly a left-turn for his fans. Some felt as though he turned his back on rap. However, a few accomplished musicians in the field had kind words for Yachty’s latest release.
Questlove hit Instagram where he expressed his utter appreciation for Yachty’s next project. In fact, he credited the album as instilling a sense of optimism surrounding the future of music. He stated that he didn’t want to jump out with any opinions too early. He said it would “the trolls ammo to hate it” or downplay the power of Quest’s co-sign.
“After about 3 listens (and I thought I’d NEVER say this—-& not because “I didn’t expect this from Lil Yachty”——but just in general I didn’t expect this from MUSIC)… I really really really really love this @lilyachty record and I love when artists pull off a good departure record.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 24: Questlove of The Roots attends the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
From there, he looked back at some famous departure albums (i.e. The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Radiohead’s Kid A). Then, he declared Let’s Start Here as “the most surprising transition of any music career I’ve witnessed in a min, especially under the umbrella of hip hop.”
He added, “Shit like this (envelope pushing) got me hyped about music’s future.”
Lil Yachty‘s new album, Let’s Start Here has everyone talking. From its psychedelic sound to its trippy visuals, it’s safe to say this record is a complete left turn from the Atlanta rapper’s signature trap sound.
Let’s Start Here has garnered much praise from fans and fellow musicians, lauding Yachty for pushing the envelope musically. One of the artists who can’t stop listening to the album is Questlove, who gave props to Yachty for successfully pulling off a new sound.
“I really really really really love this @lilyachty record,” said Quest in an Instagram post, “and I love when artists pull off a good departure record (departure albums are when musicians pull a COMPLETE creative left turn —-most times as a career sabotage of feeling doomed to not be able to live up to a standard they set.”
Elsewhere in the post, Quest said the album has left him feeling “hyped about music’s future”
You can check out Quest’s full post below.
“I had to let 24 hours go by just so I could process this. Then I hesitated cause I didn’t wanna use hyperbole to naturally give the trolls ammo to hate it or to further evidence sort why my co-signs are whack.
I dunno man: after about 3 listens (and I thought I’d NEVER say this—-& not because “I didn’t expect this from Lil Yachty”——but just in general I didn’t expect this from MUSIC)
How should I put it? I really really really really love this @lilyachty record and I love when artists pull off a good departure record (departure albums are when musicians pull a COMPLETE creative left turn —-most times as a career sabotage of feeling doomed to not be able to live up to a standard they set. Not being able to make the Thelma & Louise jump. Quitting the job/relationship before you give em a chance to fire you—)—-some famous departure albums backfired (Sgt Peppers wound up making the Beatles even MORE important further proving you can’t just do tin pan alley showtunes & think THAT is gonna get rid of the screaming fanbase….now the entire world wants a piece of you) Some were pure art that turned off the fanbase that came to the party for seconds of what you served before (Paul’s Boutique/Around The World In A Day) some seemed like career disasters w critics (Dylan’s Self Portrait & Davis’s On The Corner & Gaye’s Here My Dear) & then some come just for the sheer sake of surprise & man it’s like “WTF did I just listen to?” (Kid A/Kamaal The Abstract/Back To Black/A Seat At The Table)——-this aptly titled #LetsStartHere lp might be the most surprising transition of any music career I’ve witnessed in a min, especially under the umbrella of hip hop. I remember @divinestyler_1 has a sophomore release that shocked me & im still processing the 3rd @junglebrothers4life lp some 30 yrs later. But man….whatever you put in your Wheaties bro….keep goin.
Sh*t like this (envelope pushing) got me hyped about music’s future.”
Let’s Start Here is out now via Motown and Quality Control. You can stream it here.
Lil Yachty‘s new album, Let’s Start Here is already proving to be a buzzy project. Yachty’s latest effort features him taking on a psychedelic rock sound, a departure from his signature rap sound. On the heels of Let’s Start Here, which was released yesterday (January 27), Lil Yachty has shared the trippy new visual for “Say Something.”
On the song, Yachty croons, reeling over an unrequited love.
“We can live the dream life, wild / Got me feeling like a teen again / It’s feeling like it’s teenage love / If you feel the same way, then say something,” he sings in the song’s chorus.
It’s hard to explain exactly what’s going on in the “Say Something” video. In the clip, Yachty is seen sitting in a diner with a woman played by model Anok Yai. He professes his love for her, then imagines driving away with her and having a baby. In other scenes, Yachty is seen in a hallway as people pop up and laugh at him, and the baby suddenly explodes. When Yachty drifts out of his bizarre fantasy, he is brutally rejected by the woman, then literally drags his heart across the parking lot.
You can check out the video for “Say Something” above.
Let’s Start Here is out now via Capitol and Motown. You can stream it here.
Warning: Lil Yachty’s video for “Say Something” contains depictions of suicidal ideation which some may find triggering. Viewer discretion is advised.
