Lil Yachty released his debut album last week and received a major surprise.
On Tuesday (May 30), the Hip-Hop enigma released his debut album Teenage Emotions after a year full of hit singles, television commercials and harsh criticism for Hip-Hop purist from all coast. But despite his major success prior to his debut release, his first-week sales were disappointing; but with the current climate of the music industry, what else did he and his team expect?
Let’s keep it real, outside of Lil Yachty and his team, I don’t think anyone truly expected “King Boat” to put up big numbers for his first release. Much like his contemporaries, having smash hits and a large social media following has proven to not automatically equate to album sales.
Recently, Lil Boat took to his Instagram to discuss his underwhelming effort and express his sincere appreciation for his fans, blaming his sales on the audience’s lack of understanding towards who he is.
“I understand first week numbers didn’t do what most people expected but that’s only because they don’t understand me. They don’t understand us. I don’t expect anybody to. I make it for those who listen. I feel like my brand is so big and blew up so big, it blew up bigger than my actual music. Which isn’t the worst situation it could be worse all I have to is make it to where my brand hype and music hype equal out.. I am back in the studio.”
As a Hip-Hop fan who is absolutely NOT a fan of Lil Yachty’s music, I have to give him credit for achieving his level commercial success. He has proven himself to be valuable to major brands and has given a voice to those young people who view themselves as an outcast. That task within itself takes heart and heart is something that Lil Yachty has proven time and time again to have. Even in the face of criticism and Joe Budden, Yachty has stood true to the music he makes and his message.
In his message, Yachty states that he is working on an EP and that he will be taking into consideration what his audience likes and dislikes in an effort to improve his music. That means that he’s taking his career seriously and making an effort to have some sort of musical longevity, which is good. Only time will tell just how long Lil Yachty will have prominent relevance in hip hop. Until then, he will continue to be “f**king lit”.
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