Michelle Shnayder – Copy Editor
Lil Yachty, an Atlanta rapper who describes his upbeat, invigorating and drug-fueled style as, “bubble gum rap,” released a new album, “Nuthin’ 2 Prove,” on Oct. 19th.
Yachty has been in the hip-hop circuit since the beginning of 2015, and with the release of another album, the 21 year old artist is continuing his journey to becoming a prolific rapper.
“Nuthin’ 2 Prove” is the rapper’s third full album, debuting less than a year after his sophomore effort, “Lil Boat 2.” This album has 15 tracks, many of which range in length and style.
While some of Yachty’s previous and most popular work has displayed a juvenile and upbeat quality, this album shows off a more diverse skill set. By providing more stylistic variety in his tracks and littering the track list with well known names, Yachty is showing his listeners that he is developing as an artist.
“Gimme Your Respect,” the first track, has an aggressive name that aptly suits the tone of the song. With a demanding attitude and an uncharacteristic tenor in his voice, the rapper asserts his dominance.
Yachty uses the introductory track of his album to literally demand the respect of his audience, highlighting one of the primary purposes of this album.
“I’m the Mac,” the album’s captivatingly arrogant fourth track, displays an extraordinary amount of braggadocio on Yachty’s part. This track is dedicated to the young man’s rise to success and notoriety, and the lyrics of the song aim to show off his successes.
“I’m the mack, I’m the mack/ Minor setbacks for major comebacks,” Yachty rapped, noting the successes he has had in recent years as a rapper, and how various setbacks have not forced him into submission.
“Yacht Club,” the fifth track of the alum, is a mellow, yet vulgar piece that combines Yachty’s older, more upbeat style with some of the more visceral and emotional lyrics seen in the rest of the album.
This song features rap group Juice WRLD and is very influenced by their style, which is more subdued, romantic and dazed.
Famous rap duo Cardi B and Offset are featured on the album’s eighth track, “Who Want the Smoke.” This track is intended to be intense and intentionally intimidating song, highlighting Cardi B’s trademark aggressiveness.
“I get the Money. I am the King of New York,” Cardi raps in the second verse of the track, her words and delivery characteristically confident, emotive and empowered.
“Who Want the Smoke,” allows Cardi to glorify her lifestyle and highlight the opulence of the celebrity world. Aside from Cardi, Offset and Yachty also engage the listeners with their own aggressive and hard-hitting verses.
Yachty’s lyrics in the third verse, along with glorifying the life, express some somber thoughts about the industry and the lifestyle.
“Never not strapped, in my city, on my soul,” rapped Yachty.
Towards the end of his verse, Yachty is highlighting the externalities of the lifestyle that is often promoted by hip-hop music, displaying the complexity of some of the album’s themes.
The final third of the album is the most romantic in tone and traditionally emotional, despite the still prevalent references of violence and drug use.
“Forever World,” by Yachty and Trippie Reid, is one of the more traditionally romantic songs on the album. Yachty implements more of his trademark autotune and emulates the cathartic song writing style of his cohort.
“Fallin in Love,” by Yachty and fellow rapper Gunna, is another relatively docile song
on the album focused predominantly on developing a complicated relationship with a woman who is adept at using drugs.
”Purest molly, real thing, shit strong/ And she smoke the loudest weed, Cheech and Chong,” raps Yachty, highlighting the song’s emphasis on the romanticized subject’s drug use.
“Worth It,” the album’s ninth track, is the most earnest and multidimensional song of the compilation. This song refers to distorted body image goals perpetuated by media, and Yachty speaks on how his love for women does not fall to those standards.
“I love you for who you are/ God don’t mess up at all/ Even when he make us with flaws, Yachty raps, showing his artistic and emotional growth from his previous works.
Photo Credit: Anton Mak
