After a rapid scent to stardom in 2016, Lil Yachty is gearing up release his debut album Teenage Emotions on Friday. The Atlanta native has already showcased a range of sounds on album singles like "Peek a Boo" and "Bring It Back," and, as Yachty told Zane Lowe in a recent interview, the project showcases every side of his personality. During their in-depth discussion, Yachty and Lowe talked about the rapper's inspirations and his approach to making his debut album.
"When I made Lil Boat, my first mixtape, I didn't have a drop date, a due date," Yachty explained. "I didn't have critics rating on it, I was just making it. And then when I finished it, I dropped it at my own smoothness, at my own pace."
Yachty credited early internet rap pioneers Lil B and Soulja Boy for redefining how artists market themselves in the new era. "I feel like Soulja Boy was one of the smartest when it came to connecting with your fans, and taking that to another level," he said. "That's how you get the real love. Someone will love you, but if they feel like they know you or they can relate to you, it's a real genuine, solid love, even when you're down."
Later in the interview, Yachty said that wants to dive into other creative avenues. "I want to do movies," he told Lowe. "I always hear I have the voice-over voice." Watch the full interview above.
