Lil Yachty Continues To Climb The Music Ranks

Atlantan teen Lil Yachty (aka Miles McCollum) is supposedly wrecking hip hop. He's riled purists with his 'mumble rap' — and his irreverence towards hip hop's hallowed history. However, with a cult following clamouring for his official debut, Teenage Emotions, McCollum isn't going anywhere but up.

Indeed, this subversive millennial has become emblematic of hip hop's generational divide — like Kanye West and Drake before him. Why does McCollum feel he's so polarising? "That's a great question," he responds succinctly. "I don't have the answer." The AutoTune-lovin' post-rapper/singer, 19, exudes insouciance — all but mumbling through his interview.

Named after jazzman Miles Davis, McCollum grew up around hip hop — his father a music photographer. He formulated his own "bubblegum trap", distinguished by simple hooks, novelty samples and cheeky fun. Later, McCollum adopted that eccentric nautical handle — and imagery. "My first manager just kinda came up with the idea," he says.

McCollum blew up with 2015's track One Night. His 'next big thing' status was assured with successive EPs and mixtapes, leading to fortuitous collabs. McCollum cameoed on DRAM's mega-hit Broccoli. More validating again, he guested on Chance The Rapper's Coloring Book mixtape. Katy Perry recently recruited him for a Chained To The Rhythm remix. Meanwhile, with his colourful, beaded braids, McCollum emerged as a street fashion influencer.

The Teenage Emotions artwork has already been praised for its celebration of diversity — McCollum seated in a movie theatre alongside other exuberant adolescent outsiders: a woman with vitiligo, an albino guy, a gay couple kissing... "I'm always trying to do things that are innovative," he states. Yet, musically, McCollum's approach was "not too much different" to his previous projects. "I just made it nice."

McCollum has largely avoided commissioning 'name' producers, with only Diplo credited. Arguably the album's biggest guest is Grace Sewell, on Running With A Ghost. "Grace is real nice," McCollum enthuses. "She's extremely talented." In fact, the incongruous collab was engineered. "My manager and her manager are really, really good friends." Still, McCollum expands his sound. Bring It Back is his flip of yacht rock, complete with sax. "I just kinda went with how I feel. I was really just creating." His favourite song is the avant slo' jam Lady In Yellow. "I just like the vibe of that song."

McCollum remains contradictory. Though he promotes "positivity", the Migos-featuring party single Peek A Boo portrays a casual — and immature — sexism. But, McCollum counters, listeners shouldn't overanalyse the lyrics. "It was never that serious."

McCollum is building his brand. The maverick's merch line entails a pink cassette edition of Teenage Emotions — his own concept. And McCollum is in demand live. He was even billed for the infamous Fyre Festival. McCollum didn't travel to the Bahamas — and, despite being a social media kid, the saga (and memes) apparently passed him by. He adds, "I got paid still, so..." This July, McCollum will descend on Australia for Splendour In The Grass. "I'll come with the energy — and hopefully they give it back."