Lil Yachty seemingly dropped out of the sky. I, and most other people, had never heard of him until February 11th after the Yeezy Fashion Show/Life of Pablo Listening Party, where he played the role of a model, and was on stage with Young Thug and Ian Connor. Since then Yachty has had a lot of buzz surrounding him, and now he just dropped his new mixtape Lil Boat out of nowhere. 
(Lil Yachty is in the red sweater)
Lil Yachty is from Atlanta, and like most Atlanta rappers his music is heavily influenced by trap. Lil Boat features generally upbeat songs with banging drums and catchy flows. Lil Yachty separates himself from other Atlanta rappers with his use of autotune, that on some songs is annoying, but in general I kind of liked it. There is just something ear catching about Lil Yachty; even though he lacks lyrical skills he knows how to make a catchy hook, as he displays on Minnesota, and the instrumentals on the album are great, specifically the ones produced by Earl. My favorite song on the entire mixtape is probably Run/Running (or Run:Running). The production on the track is amazing, I especially love the wood winds on Run. I can’t really tell what he is saying on the track because of the strong autotune, but it sounds fantastic. In that way it can be akin to the latest D’Angelo album. If you are someone who only listens to music for lyrics, or believes that lyrics are the most important aspect of any song, then this album probably isn’t right for you. The point of trap isn’t to be deep or political.
On the Intro of Lil Boat there is a story introduced, and a narrator talks about how he is going to tell us a story about his nephews “Lil Yachty” and “Lil Boat”. After 5 listens I really couldn’t figure out what the story was, or if there was even a story. I think Lil Yachty is the guy with autotune on his voice, and Lil Boat is the guy with no autotune. Beyond that I couldn’t really pick any story out. I don’t mind that there was no story (that I could decipher) but I was just really confused as to why Yachty would make an introduction with a story. I also had a problem with a few songs on the mixtape. Even though the hook on Minnesota is incredibly catchy, the song just didn’t do anything for me. The beat and Yachty’s delivery sort of reminded me of a nursery rhyme, and I didn’t like how Yachty sang in a really high voice like Young Thug. On top of that, lyrically the song made me laugh. I’m not sure if that was the goal but I mean it just makes no sense. He goes off flow shouting out his lawyer, talks about eating pork rinds with someone from the New York Times, and raps “You need to stay up out the streets if you can’t take the heat/Cause it get cold like Minnesota”. I know I said that lyrics are not important in trap, and I am probably coming across as hypocritical, but I mean come on I was laughing throughout the entire song.
“I was eatin’ pork and rinds with a bitch from New York Times
I don’t eat no pork and rinds but that bitch was mighty fine
I got gold all on my necklace, tatted up my arms”
Even though I did have my problems with this album, I really enjoyed it. The album does what it’s supposed to do, and I’m sure Minnesota is going to blow up because of its catchy hook. A lot of general music fans probably wouldn’t like this album, but if you’re trying to get into trap or are open minded I’d give this album a shot. Lil Boat one of the best rap projects released this year, and I’m excited for Lil Yachty’s next full length project.
Favorite Songs: Not My Bro, Run/Running, Out Late
Least Favorites Songs: Minnesota, Im Sorry
wpDiscuz
