Written by: Delvin K. | Photo: Quality Control Music and Motown Records
From the projects to the throne, Lil Yachty is a rapper, producer, and entrepreneur who embodies the quintessential rags-to-riches dream as he has gone on to become one of the most successful MCs of his generation while creating a brand that has made him one of the most successful new-age rappers of his era. He made a name for himself as a willful, auto-assisted melodic rapper with his unique vocal harmonies, which distinguish him from others. When you hear that voice, you absolutely know its Lil Yachty. He has not remained the same- his catalog will show you growth as he consistently changes his style to conform to a more traditional hip hop role that appeals to the old school generation who might feel lost with all this evolving type of rap music!
Having learned to navigate the rap industry and what moves to make, he has gone on to display a newfound embrace of pop crossover in his music that can be traced from his “Lil Beat” series to his unanimously acclaimed short single, “Poland,” that just blew up and took the music world by surprise, winning critical praise from both his fans and ardent critics.
“Let’s Star Here” is the versatile rapper’s fifth studio project, which was released on January 27, 2023, through Concrete Records, Motown Records, and Quality Control Music. This 14-piece project is also his first studio album since 2020’s “Lil Boat 3”
This entire collection takes a different turn altogether from what you might have been accustomed to with Lil Yachty’s signature trap-like sound. And that title is very significant because Yachty felt that he needed to create something different yet authentic—he wants audiences to know him much more than just a soundcloud rapper or mumble rapper.
Opting for live-sounding instrumentation over psychedelic-like and alternative rock types of performance, there is a lot to digest from this entire collection that has received mixed reactions from music pundits, fans, and critics alike. Ultimately, the general perception has been that it is a pretty likeable collection that more than anything highlights an artist who refuses to keep standing still. This album has that signature psych rock sound throughout, with silk sonic-esque funk and some more stripped back tracks.
For me, I feel like even though the album is at a really high place in the charts and has been received with record-setting commercial success, most people don’t respect it enough, as it’s really what he has always wanted to do in terms of music. Remember that Yachty tried pursuing this kind of sound three times or more before, and there were always many people saying his voice wouldn’t fit, and there are still people who feel that the production throughout this album carried him, but in actuality, it’s the energy and passion for music that make this album so great and monumental!
I truly can’t describe the way this entire collection made me feel—I haven’t felt like this listening to music in a long time! This is one of those albums that people are going to randomly find in the future and acknowledge that it was way ahead of its time.
I feel some of the tracks have a Steve Lacy vibe, but they’re still fire. And talking about context, “Awaken, My Love,”, “Igor,” and now “Let’s Start Here” are 3 of the most influential albums of this generation and will forever inspire the next generation.
I hope this album brings all the respect Lil Yachty has deserved for years!
