Lil Yatchy is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He gained popularity in 2015 with his debut mixtape "Lil Boat" and rose to prominence in 2016 with his hit singles "One Night" and "Minnesota."
Lil Yachty is known for his unique style, often described as "bubblegum trap" or "mumble rap," characterized by catchy melodies, playful lyrics, and a carefree attitude
Prior to Lil Yachty gaining recognition in his career, he faced criticism for openly admitting his lack of familiarity with influential artists like Biggie and Tupac. He even made controversial statements, such as claiming Drake was superior to Tupac.
Before his involvement in a Sprite commercial and his Grammy nomination, he endured difficulties during his youth. He experienced teasing, bullying, and harassment, and his distinctive red haircut only exacerbated the situation.
While attending Pebblebrooke High School, he worked at McDonald's and spent his free time connecting with local rappers and producers.
Despite briefly attending college, Lil Yachty found himself disenchanted and dropped out, feeling that the education system was outdated. His decision disappointed his parents, who hoped for a more traditional career path for him.
Nevertheless, Lil Yachty remained determined to pursue music and devoted his energy to creating his unique style. Standing out from the crowd was always a part of his persona, as evidenced by his decision to dye his hair red at the age of 15.
Lil Yachty, born Miles Parks McCollum on August 23rd, 1997, grew up in the picturesque suburb of Mapleton in Westside Atlanta. His father, Shannon, was a photographer known for his portraits and documentary work of various artists, including OutKast and Dead Prez.
Lil Yachty's name was inspired by his father's admiration for Miles Davis. His mother, Vinita, wrote a book called "Raising a Rapper," where she shared how Lil Yachty had expressed his ambition to become famous and wealthy five years before achieving success.
During his upbringing, Lil Yachty developed a diverse taste in music, influenced by artists who broke away from the conventional norms. He admired the "I don't give up" attitude of Lil B, the artistry of André 3000, and the entrepreneurial journey of Soulja Boy.
While attending Pebblebrook High School, he worked part-time at McDonald's and used his free time to network with fellow artists and aspiring rappers. Lil Yachty's desire to stand out led him to dye his hair red.
Although Lil Yachty's older brother was involved in gang activities and selling drugs, Lil Yachty chose a different path for himself. He faced teasing and name-calling from his peers, but he remained focused on his unique aspirations.
Despite his mother's plan for him to attend college after graduation, Lil Yachty expressed his belief that he was destined for fame and fortune. Dissatisfied with the college experience, he left to pursue his music career, initially moving to New York and staying with friends.
It was during this time that he adopted the name "Lil Yachty" and formed the Yacht Club crew, inspired by his love for the nautical clothing line.
While in New York, Lil Yachty made connections with influential figures, including Ian Connor, and began to gain attention for his style. However, financial constraints eventually led him to run out of money.
In an attempt to please his mother, he enrolled at Alabama State University but quickly realized that a practical career and conventional lifestyle were not suited for him. Lil Yachty found college to be unfulfilling and felt that the educational system was behind the times.
Throughout his upbringing, Lil Yachty faced challenges and experienced being an outsider due to his unique artistic approach. However, these experiences shaped his individuality and fueled his determination to pursue his music career.
At a certain point, Lil Yachty reached a stage where he secluded himself in his room, focusing on writing music. During this time, he created tracks like "Hellos" and "Minnesota," which gained attention.
In 2015, he faced legal trouble when he was arrested in Palm Springs for using fraudulent credit cards. The charges against him included fraud, forgery, and counterfeiting.
After this incident, Lil Yachty dropped out of school and returned to Atlanta, where he collaborated with producer Burberry Perry and later joined forces with Case Supreme.
Together, they worked in Lil Yachty's bedroom studio, and his breakthrough came when his hit song "Minnesota" was aired on Drake's OVO Sound Radio.
This led to him connecting with Coach K and Quality Control Music and working out of the same Atlanta studio as Migos. One of his major successes was the track "One Night," accompanied by an innovative and parody-styled music video.
The video gained widespread attention after Lil Yachty shared it online and received significant support on various platforms, including Worldstar and Facebook, accumulating millions of views and retweets. Chief Keef's endorsement further propelled its viral status.
With growing buzz and connections, Lil Yachty returned to New York City, where his friend Ian Connor introduced him to ASAP Rocky. This led to an invitation to appear in the Easy Season Three runway show at Madison Square Garden.
Following these achievements, Lil Yachty released his debut mixtape "Lil Boat" and his chart-topping hit "Broccoli" featuring DRAM, which reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
His success continued as he received a Grammy nomination and secured a spot on the 2016 XXL Freshman Class list alongside notable artists such as 21 Savage, Lil Uzi Vert, and Kodak Black.
Since then, Lil Yachty has enjoyed a string of accomplishments, including the release of new albums, further establishing his presence in the music industry.