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Lil Yachty Is Taking Rap By Storm With “Poland,” His Weirdest, Catchiest Song to Date

By Insanul Ahmed

Lil Yachty is having one of the best weeks of his career thanks to an 83-second song called “Poland,” in which he croons about bringing lean to the Central European country. Since he posted it to Soundcloud nine days ago, the track has become a viral sensation, tallying 6 million plays, inspiring dozens of memes, and making the digital charts in 48 different countries after being uploaded to Apple Music and Spotify. Its video treatment, from in-demand director Cole Bennet, has racked up over 4 million YouTube views and counting. Yachty has since been invited to Poland by the country’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki (at least according to the rapper’s label boss, Pierre “Pee” Thomas). But “Poland” is more than just an unexpected hit: It’s a reminder of Yachty’s oft-doubted potential as a non-traditional rap star.

“I was actually just trolling,” explained Yachty in a reaction video with ZIAS! , talking about how the song randomly came together in the studio when he saw someone“drinking a Poland Spring water bottle. Obviously, I had some Wock, but he had a Poland Spring water bottle. And the song was a joke, like I was just trolling.” Not only was the song a joke, Yachty didn’t even intend to release it until a leak forced his hand. He uploaded it to Soundcloud with the caption, “STOP LEAKING MY SHIT.”

The song became an instant meme thanks to Yachty’s autotune-laced warble of the line “I took the woooOOoooOOck to Poland” (referencing the cough syrup often used in lean) over a woozy beat from Philadelphia producer F1lthy, a member of the Working on Dying producer collective. F1lthy is probably best known for producing six songs on Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red , an album that gained an enduring allure for its sonic experimentation. The hazy “Poland” beat sounds like something that could have slid onto WLR ’s tracklist…or soundtracked the boss level of a 16-bit Sega game.

While it was only officially released to streaming services a couple of days ago, there’s good reason to believe “Poland” will quickly impact the Billboard charts, in spite of—or perhaps because of—its length. Popular on TikTok, “Poland” could potentially follow the trajectory of Armani White’s 99-second breakout hit, “BILLIE EILISH,” British rapper Central Cee’s inescapable 97-second song “Doja,” or Bronx rapper Ice Spice’s viral one-minute and 45-second song “Munch (Feelin’ U).”

But unlike those breakthrough acts, Yachty is already an established artist. He first blew up in 2016 as an 18-year-old, when his viral Soundcloud songs, like “Minnesota” and “One Night,” ushered in his self-described style of "bubblegum trap”—so named because they sounded more like Nickelodeon theme songs than the hard-hitting trap music his Atlanta peers were putting out as the city’s popularity crested. Yachty has always been upfront about not coming from the street life, never acting as if he did in his lyrics. Instead, he oozed optimism, rocked his trademark red hair with aplomb, and had a knack for marketing.

As his career took off, critics scoffed and dismissed him as “mumble rap.” To a certain cohort, he represented everything wrong with hip-hop. Yachty had heated interviews with Joe Budden and Ebro , was criticized by legends like Pete Rock , and upset fans when he said he couldn’t name five songs by either 2Pac or Biggie. Lord Jamaar went so far as to say , “People who like this are actually stupid.”

But the joke was on them. "One Night" went double platinum, and since then he’s had some of his best moments as a collaborator, showing genuine chemistry on bubbly, cheery songs like "Broccoli" and “iSpy” (with DRAM and Kyle, respectively), or trap bangers like "From the D to the A" with Tee Grizzley. The “mumble rapper” proved to be an adept songwriter, penning “Act Up,” a hit song for his QC labelmates City Girls. (His cameo in the music video is a tacit nod to his authorship.)

At the same time, the criticism was not completely unwarranted. His debut album, 2017’s Teenage Emotions , clocked in at 70 minutes and it was clear he didn’t always have that much to say. At best, he was charming with a melodic flair. At worst, his bars could come off lazy and clumsy, with lines like, "You stinky and dirty like farts."

In 2018, he dropped two albums, Lil Boat 2 and Nuthin’ 2 Prove . Despite the latter’s title, it felt like he had internalized the criticism of his early career and was determined to prove he really could rap. On “Everything Good, Everything Right,” he spits, “Gotta prove everyone wrong/Had to take some time alone/Had to regroup, got that shit right.” Yet for all his efforts, he simply wasn’t a top-tier lyricist. His brand is positivity, his attempts at being braggadocious an awkward fit. Generic lines about being a rich, iced-out rapper stripped him of his individuality. His determination became a detriment, he went from meshing with others to getting eclipsed by collaborators like Cardi B and Offset on songs like “Who Want the Smoke.”

Follow-up albums like Lil Boat 3 and Michigan Boy Boat exhibited some musical growth and emotional maturity—particularly the latter, which embraced Detroit rap styles. But neither of those projects produced hits. Ultimately, he may never win over the critics, though it’s clear he doesn’t need to.

The best part about “Poland” is that it’s cold like “Minnesota.” Yachty’s deep baritone voice can lead him to a monotone delivery, which doesn't always make for compelling verses. On “Poland,” the autotune adds texture, his words unfurl like a bottle of lean carefully being poured into soda. The amateurish nature of his singing and his tendency to carry one melody throughout a song only adds to its appeal. Now 25 years old and seven years removed from his breakout song, Yachty is on the verge of another hit because he embraced the playfulness that made him unique in the first place.

Sure, he’s probably never been to Poland , but the line was perfect fodder for memes. The meme that truly captures the song’s peculiar appeal is a TikTok video posted by @chadio where he starts out calling the song trash before actually listening to it and being seduced by its charm, the malleable lyrics morph from “walk to Poland” to “rock to Oakland” to “guac to Chipotle.” A cynical mind might wonder if there was an orchestrated marketing campaign behind them popping up so fast, but, much like the song itself, they’re too fun to think too hard about.

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Having Taken the Wock to Poland, Lil Yachty Takes ‘Poland’ to Streaming Services

• By Jon Blistein

Jon Blistein

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Yachty first released “Poland” on Soundcloud last week after snippets of the song were leaked online. The 83-second track quickly gained traction with its woozy, 8-bit beat (produced by F1lthy, Lukrative, and Lucian) and its instantly memorable (and meme-able) hook, which Yachty delivers with a distinct wobble in his voice, “I took the Wock to Poland.” (“Wock” is shorthand for Wockhardt, the pharmaceutical company that makes promethazine and codeine cough syrup.)

& ON GOD IM CHANGIN DA COVER 2 DIS TMMR https://t.co/GRf1zL1sue — C.V Thomas (@lilyachty) October 11, 2022

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What if Lil Yachty’s ‘Poland’ contains the meaning of life?

The rapper’s strange new hit feels like viral funtime, but it might be bigger than that.

Do people listen to music just so they can draw neat little career arcs on graph paper? It might feel that way if you’ve been following the digital chitchat around Lil Yachty’s latest single “ Poland ,” a discussion that seems bent on solving the mystery of how an enfant terrible becomes a pitchman for Target; then retrenches with a bunch of way-less-famous Michigan rappers simply because he’s a fan; then launches his own line of frozen pizzas; then arrives at this strange new hit, which sounds as cool and inscrutable as the other side of the moon.

The case seems crackable enough. Yachty contains multitudes. He’s more of a person than a business model, and his zigzagging curiosity feels more like an artistic impulse than a brand strategy. Good for him — and if adjacent artists start chasing after their own weirdo whims with even half of his zeal, good for all of us, because while “Poland” certainly tells us something about Yachty’s expansive sense of self, it tells us even more about life: That it’s cold, short, lonely, vast, absurd and yet, despite all of these things, incredibly fun.

It’s true, “I took the Wock to Poland” might not read like the year’s most mesmerizing pop mantra in keystroke form, but across those six words, Yachty makes his voice — a melodized yawn that has chafed low-imagination rap purists from the start — do something new, elongating the most flexible syllables and allowing them to tremble with Auto-Tuned vibrato. In this funny, freaky, emotionally extravagant, tragicomic gush, he sounds like a machine that’s learned how to cry.

So he spends the rest of the song proving he’s human, stressed out and lost in the cold. “Phone still ringing, battling all my demons,” Yachty rhymes, synthesizers swarming at his back. “I been fiending, baby girl, I been fiending.” Here, it’s almost better if you don’t know that “the Wock” is a reference to the recreational use of Wockhardt pharmaceutical-grade cough syrup — that way, it might sound like Yachty took the walk to Poland, a phrase that opens up all kinds of fresh metaphorical pathways. It’s an almost inconceivable micro-thrill, taking a wrong turn down a song this concise.

Concise might be an understatement, too. “Poland” only lasts for one minute and 23 seconds. Hook, verse, hook, see you next time. Go ahead and superimpose all of your paranoia about the death of the American attention span onto this song if you must, but then listen to it again. Yachty’s brevity is casually artful, highly playful and totally real. “Poland” isn’t short, it’s fleeting, and you might even find the meaning of life in the difference between the two.

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TikTok Turned Lil Yachty’s ‘Poland’ Into a National Anthem

Lil Yachty’s “Poland” is 83 seconds long, jarringly repetitive, and purposefully obtuse. And yet, in the hands of TikTok , it’s become a smash, cracking the top half of the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the pride of its namesake country.

Not that Yachty intended any of this. “The song was a joke,” he said in a reaction video with YouTuber ZIAS! “Like, I was just trolling.” The hook—“I took the Woooooock to Polaaaaand”—is something he improv’d one night after seeing someone sipping a Poland Spring bottle in the studio. So the Poland he’s singing about could technically be Poland, Maine . (“Wock,” if you’re wondering, is a nod to Wockhardt cough syrup.) As the song went viral, internet sleuths tried to find out when Yachty might’ve gone to the Central European country and mostly came up empty-handed . The 25-year-old Atlanta rapper didn’t even plan to release the track , but he ended up putting it on SoundCloud after it found its way online.

The leak proved fortuitous. After “Poland” hit SoundCloud, TikTokkers transformed the song’s malleable chorus into gags about taking action stars overseas (“ I took the Rock to Poland ”) and staple items back to burrito chains (“I took the guac to Chipotle ”). Someone even made a loaf of bread emblazoned with the lyrics. It inspired more than 20,000 creations in a week.

No small number of those came from Poland itself. One video called Yachty’s name-drop a “ top 10 moment in Polish history .” Rapper Pat wrote , “This is the proudest I’ve been as a Polish person since [soccer player Robert] Lewandowski scored five goals in 9 minutes.” Another user referred to it as Poland’s new national anthem.

Nikodem Rachoń, a spokesperson for the Polish embassy in Washington, DC, says that he hopes the rapper will one day visit the country, and that the embassy would be glad to facilitate the trip. He even added a bit of music criticism: “I'm pretty sure that on such an occasion, he would have lots of opportunities to find some new inspiration for the next verses the song still apparently needs."

Rapper Kinny Zimmer says that as soon as he heard the track, he was “sure it would become viral.” As someone who loves modern Polish culture, he hopes that Yachty’s song will root his home country in the minds of Americans and teach his countrymates “how beautiful our Polish aesthetics are.” Rapper Pezet confessed to preferring a “more old-school sound” than that on “Poland” but liked its “cool new vibe” and hoped it could inspire collaborations between Polish and US hip-hop artists. 

Others are embracing the song even more fully. Bedoes has dropped a “Poland” remix; in the video, he’s shirtless on a boat with an ax and a glow-in-the-dark shield . “Lil Yachty mentioning my country was a meme to me,” he says, “but it was also kind of surrealistic, because him being a top artist, known worldwide, rapping about my country was really special. I knew all the ways that it probably was a coincidence that he mentioned Poland, but still, that was really special.” He, too, hopes the strange hit leads to an increased appreciation of Polish culture. “Maybe pierogis with Wock?” he jokes. 

Unexpectedly for such a fun lark, there’s a thornier geopolitical angle involved with “Poland.” As Lil Yachty’s song spread, messages began circulating on Twitter that Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki had invited the rapper to visit his country. Local media soon debunked the rumor . Anyone fearing increased authoritarianism in Europe might be pleased to know that Yachty isn’t actually liaising with Morawiecki, who represents the ruling Law and Justice Party, which has been criticized for a crackdown on judicial independence and a general slide away from democratic principles . 

As of this writing, TikTok videos tagged #lilyachtypoland are hovering close to 6 million views , search results for the song top 1 billion . Yachty’s own “Poland” video has been viewed more than 14 million times. Ultimately, it's unclear if his song will have a lasting impact on appreciation for Polish culture worldwide, but in a message from the artist on that video's YouTube page , the rapper makes clear it's a song for regular folks: “You're welcome Polish people, you now have Wock.”  

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Lil Yachty Takes A Walk In His New ‘Poland’ Video

On his latest single, “Poland,” Lil Yachty experiments with new sounds. Though the song clocks in at 90 seconds, the digitized, synth-heavy beat combined with his signature falsetto vocals, makes for a trippy track .

On the song’s chorus, Yachty sings, “I took the wock to Poland.” The verse is filled with clever one-liners, like “I been fiendin’ / like I’m Kenan / Ride around with a Kel-Tec.”

Though “Wock” is a slang term for cough syrup, Yachty and his friends are seen literally walking through Poland in the song’s video, as “walk” and “wock” appear to be used in a homophonous manner in the song.

This past summer, Yachty launched a line of frozen pizzas available in Walmart stores. In an interview with People coinciding with the launch, Yachty shared that his upcoming album will have a more “alternative” sound.

“I didn’t want to put out a couple rap songs and throw people’s energy off of what I’m about to drop,” he said. “I want to make sure the next thing they hear from me is what I’ve been working on, which is very high quality, but it’s a little different. I think everyone will have a lot of appreciation for it.”

Check out the video “Poland” above.

Yesterday (Oct. 5), Lil Yachty treated fans with his brand new “Poland” track. The SoundCloud exclusive marked his first solo offering of the year. Since its release, Drake hinted that “Poland” could be the start of a project rollout, as he reposted it on his Instagram story with a caption that read “Boat Opera on tour 2023.” On the song, Yachty delivers his signature flow over some production courtesy of F1LTHY:

I took the Wock’ to Poland, I took the Wock’ to Poland, I took the Wock’ to Poland/ Uh (Phew, phew), ha, I been fiending (Uh), like I’m Kenan, ride around with a Kel-Tec (Phew, Wock’)/ If you mean it, baby girl, do you mean it? I been leaning, baby girl, I been leaning (Yeah, Wock’)/ Phew, phew, phew (Wock’), phone still ringing, battling all my demons (Yeah), I been fiending, baby girl, I been fiending (Wock’)/ Hope you love me, baby, I hope you mean it (Wock’)

Yachty’s last full-length project was 2021’s Michigan Boy Boat , a 14-track offering that sees additional features from Tee Grizzley, Swae Lee, Sada Baby, YN Jay, Rio da Yung OG, Babyface Ray , and more. Months later, he dropped off the sixth installment of his Birthday Mix series, bringing in his 24th trip around the sun with SoFaygo, Lil Tecca, DC2Trill, and Draft Day. Since then, he has released a few loose singles like “Tunde” and “Yae Energy.”

Outside of his own releases, the Atlanta rapper delivered some strong assists on several recent tracks, including “Humble” by Diplo, “Wocky My Lover” by Mak Sauce, “Rocc Climbing” by Remble, “Rule #1” by DDG, and “Bank Teller” by Lil Tecca.

Be sure to press play on Lil Yachty’s brand new “Poland” track down below.

Lil Yachty, RD, Lil Boat · POLAND – LIL YACHTY(PROD. F1LTHY)

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Lil Yachty Shares Unexpected Inspiration for "Poland"

Revealing the song is not finished yet..

As “Poland” continues to take over social media and rise on music charts, Lil Yachty has now revealed the unexpected inspiration for his viral hit track. The young rapper recently appeared in YouTube channel ZIAS!’s reaction video for his Cole Bennett-directed “Poland” music video to share what really is behind the infectious hook.

Around the 4:30 mark Lil Yachty said, “I’ma tell y’all the truth. I was in the studio, right, working on my new album…I was actually just trolling. My mans was just drinking a Poland Springs water bottle.” Going on to say, “Yeah, I mean obviously I had some wock, but he had a Poland Springs water bottle.” Also revealed that the song expected to appear on his next album is not finished yet, but he decided to release it as is to build on the viral moment.

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Lil Yachty Wants You To Be "Ready For Everything" At The Field Trip Tour

As Lil Yachty hits the road for his 42-date global tour, the rapper details how he'll be bringing his trippy album 'Let's Start Here' to life — and why he feels like his seven-year career is only just getting started.

Fans first got to know Lil Yachty for his catchy, sing-songy tunes like "One Night" and "Minnesota," rap songs that sound like the rapper's once-signature red braids: bright and attention-getting. But as the man who once dubbed himself the " king of the teens " has now become a father in his (gasp!) mid-20s, his musical horizons have expanded.  

While Lil Boat is still making catchy tracks  (see his minute-and-a-half long earworm "Poland," released last fall), his latest album is something else entirely. Inspired by big statement LPs like Pink Floyd 's 1973 classic Dark Side of the Moon , Lil Yachty's Let's Start Here is a psychedelic record created with members of Chairlift and MGMT, as well as Mac DeMarco, Alex G and a handful of other out-of-the-norm collaborators. While the style change may have been unexpected for many, it came out exactly as Yachty envisioned it.

"It felt future-forward, it felt different, it felt original, it felt fresh, it felt strong," he says. "I'm grateful for the response. It's nice to have people resonate with a body of work that you've worked so hard on and you care so deeply about."

Yachty's most recent release, a four-song single pack featuring the swirling "TESLA," brings him back to a more traditional hip-hop style — by Lil Boat standards, anyway. But even with the four new tracks sprinkled throughout the set list, he's still determined to share the sound and vibe of Let's Start Here with his listeners. 

The Field Trip Tour, which Lil Yachty kicked off in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 21, brings the album's trippy vision to the stage. The rapper recruited an all-women band for his latest trek, which includes Lea Grace Swinson and Romana R. Saintil on vocals, Monica Carter on drums, Téja Veal on bass, Quenequia Graves on guitar, and Kennedy Avery Smith on keys.

"My life is surrounded by women," Yachty explains. "I feel like they are the most important aspect to this world and that they don't get enough credit or shine — especially Black women."

GRAMMY.com caught up with Yachty as he was on his way to rehearsal to chat about the tour, the album, and what he learned from four old British guys.

You made your band auditions public by announcing them on social media , which is not the usual way of going about these things. When you had the auditions, what was it like? How many people showed up?

Hundreds of women came from all over. People sent in auditions online. It was so fun to hear so much music and see talent and meet so many different personalities. I felt like Simon Cowell.

Other than musical ability, what were you looking for?

It was nothing more than talent. There would be multiple people with extreme talent, so then it became your own creative spunk: what did you do that made me say, "Oh, okay. I like this. I like this"? I wanted a badass group.

What was behind the decision to put the call out for women only?  

My life is surrounded by women — my two assistants, my mother as a manager, a lot of my friends are women. Women really help me throughout my day. 

I just think that women are so powerful. I feel like they rule the world. They are the most important aspect to this world and they don't get enough credit or shine, especially black women. So that was my aura behind it. I just wanted to showcase that women can shred just as good as men. 

Is the band going to be performing on your older rap material as well, in addition to the album cuts?  

No. I'm not a big fan of rendition rap songs. I think the feeling is in the beat, the feeling is in the instrumentation. When you have to reconstruct it, the bounce gets lost a bit.

Tell me about the rehearsal process once you selected the band members. What was that like?  

They're all so talented, so they all learned it very quick. I gave [the music] to them early, and gave them the stems. When it was day one, they all knew the songs. Even my new guitarist that came in later than everyone, she came in knowing the music. 

The rehearsal project for this tour was a little different, because I'm reconstructing the whole album. I'm moving everything around and changing all the transitions and trying to make it trippy. So it's a process of me figuring out how I want to do things. But they're so talented and so smart, all I have to do is tell them what I want, and they'll do it instantly. 

Like yesterday, I wanted a solo on the end of a song called "The Alchemist." Because at the end of [the album version] is this [singer Brittany] Fousheé breakdown and she's singing in a falsetto. But I took her vocals off and I wanted a solo. And [a band member] was working through it yesterday and it wasn't quite there. But I'm on the way to rehearsal now, and I know when I walk in this room, it'll be done. It'll be crazy. So they all take it very serious and they care, and I love them so much. 

The festival shows you've done so far have had everyone in Bantu knot hairstyles, sometimes with face paint . Is that going to be the look for this tour?  

No, I don't think so.

What was the thinking behind that look?  

I was getting really deep into the world of '70s bands, '60s bands. Just unison: moving as one, looking like one, feeling like one. A family, a group, a team. You see us, we're all together. 

When you play rap shows, so much of what you're doing is keeping a high-energy mood—getting the crowd going, starting mosh pits. With the new songs, it's about a diversity of feelings. What was that like for you as a band leader?  

I'll tell you, it was not easy. I've been in this industry for seven years, and my shows have been high-energy for seven years. So the first time I went on a stage and performed Let's Start Here , I felt like, "Oh wow, they hate me. Do they hate this?" Plus I have in-ears , so I can't hear the crowd cheering. I don't perform with in-ears when I do rap shows. 

It took me some time to get used to the switch. Tyler, the Creator once had a talk with me and explained to me that, it's not that they don't f— with you, it's that they're taking it in. They're comprehending you. They're processing and enjoying it. That clicked in me and I got a better understanding of what's going on.

What is it like in the same show to go from the Let's Start Here material to the rap stuff?  

It's a relief, because that's going to my world. It's super easy for me. It's like flipping the switch and taking it to the moon.

Now that it's been the better part of a year since Let's Start Here came out, how are you feeling about it? What sense do you have of the reaction to it?

Since before it came out, when I was making it, I always felt so strongly because it was something that I felt inside. It felt future-forward, it felt different, it felt original, it felt fresh, it felt strong. 

I'm grateful for the response. It's nice. It's not what you do it for, but it is extra credit. It's nice to get that love and to have people resonate with a body of work that you've worked so hard on and you care so deeply about.

Have you felt peoples' reactions change over the past few months?  

Well, this is the first time when people are like, "Man, that album changed my life" or "It took me to a different place." People love my music — always have — but this reaction is, "Man, this album, man, it really took me there." 

It did what it was supposed to do, which was transcend people. If you are on that side of the world and you're into that type of stuff, it did its job, its course — the same course as Dark Side of the Moon , which is to take you on a journey, an experience. 

What was it about Dark Side that grabbed you?  

Everything. The cover, the sounds, the transitions, the vocals, the lyrics, the age of Pink Floyd when they made it. I could go on. I got into deep fascination. It was so many things. It's just pure talent.

** I've read that you studied Pink Floyd quite a bit, watching interviews and documentaries. What were some of the things you learned from that process and brought to Let's Start Here ? **

So many things. The most important element was that I wanted to create a body of work that felt cohesive and that transcended people, and that was a fun experience that could take you away from life.

I was curious about the song ":(failure:(," where you give a speech about failing. What were your inspirations for that?

" Facebook Story " by Frank Ocean , which is about a girl who thought he was cheating on her because he wouldn't accept her on Facebook. It inspired me to talk about something. 

At first I wanted [":(failure:("] to be a poem, and I wanted my friend to say it. We tried it out, but his voice was so f—ing deep. And his poem was so dark — it was about death and s—. I was like, Damn, n—, lighten up. But then I was just like, you know what, I'll do it, and I'll speak about something very near and dear to me, which was failure. I felt like it would resonate with people more.

** The idea of time shows up on the album a lot, which is something it has in common with Dark Side of the Moon . You talk about running out of time . What are you running out of time to do? ** 

Sometimes I feel like I'm growing so fast and getting so old, and maturing and evolving so quickly, and so many opportunities come into my life. You go on tour, and then you start working on an album, and you run out of time to do certain things. It's like, "Are we going to be together? If not, I have other things to do." 

I think that's where it comes from. I don't have all day to play around. Too many things to do. Then it transpires to feel like I'm running out of time.

I love "drive ME crazy!" I was wondering if there are any particular male/female duets that you looked at as a model when designing that song.  

Fleetwood Mac . Again, with all the inspirations for these songs, I still did my twist on them. So I don't want people to go and be like, "Oh, that sounds nothing like a Fleetwood Mac song." I wasn't trying to copy a Fleetwood Mac song. It just inspired me to make a song in that feeling, in that world.

When you began your career, you were the "king of the teens." Now you're a father in your mid-twenties. Who's your audience these days? Is it the people who were teens when you started your career, who are now in their 20s like you, or is it a new crop of teenagers?  

I think now it's from the 12-year-olds to the 40-year-olds. My last festival, I had 50-year-olds in my show. That was so amazing. In the front row, there was an 11-year-old asking for my sneakers, and then in the back, it was 50- and 60-year-olds. It was crazy. The age demographic is insane.

Whenever I'm leaving somewhere, I like to have the window down and see people. [At my last festival] these 60-year-olds were leaving. They're like, "Man, your album, we love it. That show was so great." And that's awesome, because I love [that my music can] touch everyone. 

You've been opening your recent shows with " the BLACK seminole ." What does that phrase mean to you? How does it relate to the sound of the song and the rest of the lyrics?

It's saying, "I'm a warrior, I am a king, I am a sex symbol, I am everything good and bad with man, and I'm Black, unapologetically." That's what it's about. 

Any final thoughts about the tour?  

Just that it's an experience. You're not walking into a rinky-dink [show with] some DJ. This is going to be a show . 

I feel like it's the start of my career. I just want people to come in with an open mindset. Not expecting anything, ready for everything. 

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Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

GRAMMY Rewind: Megan Thee Stallion Went From "Savage" To Speechless After Winning Best New Artist In 2021

Relive the moment Megan Thee Stallion won the coveted Best New Artist honor at the 2021 GRAMMYs, where she took home three golden gramophones thanks in part to her chart-topping smash "Savage."

In 2020, Megan Thee Stallion solidified herself as one of rap's most promising new stars, thanks to her hit single "Savage." Not only was it her first No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100, but the " sassy, moody, nasty " single also helped Megan win three GRAMMYs in 2021.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind , revisit the sentimental moment the Houston "Hottie" accepted one of those golden gramophones, for Best New Artist.

"I don't want to cry," Megan Thee Stallion said after a speechless moment at the microphone. Before starting her praises, she gave a round of applause to her fellow nominees in the category, who she called "amazing."

Along with thanking God, she also acknowledged her manager, T. Farris, for "always being with me, being by my side"; her record label, 300 Entertainment, for "always believing in me, sticking by through my craziness"; and her mother, who "always believed I could do it."

Megan Thee Stallion's "Savage" remix with Beyoncé also helped her win Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance that night — marking the first wins in the category by a female lead rapper.

Press play on the video above to watch Megan Thee Stallion's complete acceptance speech for Best New Artist at the 2021 GRAMMY Awards, and remember to check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

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Photo: Sal Idriss/Redferns/GettyImages

4 Reasons Why Eminem's 'The Slim Shady LP' Is One Of The Most Influential Rap Records

Eminem’s major label debut, 'The Slim Shady LP,' turns 25 on Feb. 23. The album left an indelible imprint on hip-hop, and introduced the man who would go on to be the biggest-selling artist of any genre in the ensuing decade.

A quarter century has passed since the mainstream music world was first introduced to a bottle-blonde enfant terrible virtuoso who grabbed everyone’s attention and wouldn’t let go

But enough about Christina Aguilera .

Just kidding. Another artist also exploded into stardom in 1999 — one who would become a big enough pop star, despite not singing a note, that he would soon be feuding with Xtina . Eminem’ s biting major label debut The Slim Shady LP turns 25 on Feb. 23. While it was Eminem's second release, the album was the first taste most rap fans got of the man who would go on to be the biggest-selling artist in any genre during the ensuing decade. It also left an indelible imprint on hip-hop.

The Slim Shady LP is a record of a rapper who was white (still a comparative novelty back in 1999), working class and thus seemingly from a different universe than many mainstream rappers in the "shiny suit era." And where many of those contemporaries were braggadocious, Eminem was the loser in his rhymes more often than he was the winner. In fact, he talked so much about his real-life childhood bully on the album that the bully ended up suing him .  

It was also a record that played with truth and identity in ways that would become much more difficult once Em became world famous. Did he mean the outrageous things he was saying? Where were the knowing winks, and where were they absent? The guessing games that the album forced listeners to play were thrilling — and made all the more intense by his use of three personas (Marshall Mathers the person; Eminem the battle rapper; and Slim Shady the unhinged alter ego) that bled into each other.

And, of course, there was the rhyming. Eminem created a dizzying array of complicated compound rhymes and assonances, even finding time to rhyme "orange" — twice. (If you’re playing at home, he paired "foreign tools" with "orange juice" and "ignoring skill" with "orange bill.")

While the above are reason enough to revisit this classic album, pinpointing The Slim Shady LP 's influence is a more complicated task. Other records from that year — releases from Jay-Z , Nas , Lil Wayne , Ludacris , and even the Ruff Ryders compilation Ryde or Die Vol. 1 — have a more direct throughline to the state of mainstream rap music today. So much of SSLP , on the other hand, is tied into Eminem’s particular personality and position. This makes Slim Shady inimitable; there aren’t many mainstream rappers complaining about their precarious minimum wage job, as Em does on "If I Had." (By the time of his next LP, Em had gone triple-platinum and couldn’t complain about that again himself.)

But there are aspects of SSLP that went on to have a major impact. Here are a few of the most important ones.

It Made Space For Different Narratives In Hip-Hop

Before Kanye rapped about working at The Gap, Eminem rapped about working at a burger joint. The Slim Shady LP opened up space for different narratives in mainstream rap music. 

The Slim Shady LP didn't feature typical rags-to-riches stories, tales of living the high life or stories from the street. Instead, there were bizarre trailer-park narratives (in fact, Eminem was living in a trailer months after the record was released), admissions of suicidal ideation ("That’s why I write songs where I die at the end," he explained on "Cum on Everybody"), memories of a neglectful mother, and even a disturbing story-song about dumping the corpse of his baby’s mother, rapped to his actual child (who cameos on the song). 

Marshall Mathers’ life experience was specific, of course, but every rapper has a story of their own. The fact that this one found such a wide audience demonstrated that audiences would accept tales with unique perspectives. Soon enough, popular rappers would be everything from middle-class college dropouts to theater kids and teen drama TV stars .

The Album Explored The Double-Edged Sword Of The White Rapper

Even as late in the game as 1999, being a white rapper was still a comparative novelty. There’s a reason that Em felt compelled to diss pretty much every white rapper he could think of on "Just Don’t Give a F—," and threatened to rip out Vanilla Ice ’s dreadlocks on "Role Model": he didn’t want to be thought of like those guys. 

" People don't have a problem with white rappers now because Eminem ended up being the greatest artist, " Kanye West said in 2015. You can take the "greatest artist" designation however you like, but it’s very true that Eminem’s success meant a categorical change in the status of white rappers in the mainstream.

This turned out to be a mixed blessing. While the genre has not, as some feared, turned into a mostly-white phenomenon, America’s racial disparities are often played out in the way white rappers are treated. Sales aside, they have more room to maneuver artistically — playing with different genres while insulting rap a la Post Malone ,  or even changing styles completely like Machine Gun Kelly — to commercial approbation. Black artists who attempt similar moves are frequently met with skepticism or disinterest (see André 3000 ’s New Blue Sun rollout, which was largely spent explaining why the album features no rapping ). 

Sales are worth speaking about, too. As Eminem has repeatedly said in song, no small amount of his popularity comes from his race — from the fact that white audiences could finally buy music from a rapper who looked like them. This was, as he has also bemusedly noted , the exact opposite of how his whiteness worked for him before his fame, when it was a barrier to being taken seriously as a rapper. 

For better, worse, or somewhere in between, the sheer volume of white rappers who are currently in the mainstream is largely traceable to the world-beating success of The Slim Shady LP.

It Was Headed Towards An Odd Future

SSLP laid groundwork for the next generation of unconventional rappers, including Tyler, the Creator .

Tyler is a huge Eminem fan. He’s said that listening to Em’s SSLP follow-up The Marshall Mathers LP was " how I learned to rap ." And he’s noted that Em’s Relapse was " one of the greatest albums to me ." 

"I just wanted to rap like Eminem on my first two albums," he once told GQ . More than flow, the idea of shocking people, being alternately angry and vulnerable, and playing with audience reaction is reflected heavily on Tyler’s first two albums, Goblin and Wolf . That is the template The Slim Shady LP set up. While Tyler may have graduated out of that world and moved on to more mature things, it was following Em’s template that first gained him wide notice. 

Eminem Brought Heat To Cold Detroit

The only guest artist to spit a verse on The Slim Shady LP is Royce da 5’9". This set the template for the next few years of Eminem’s career: Detroit, and especially his pre-fame crew from that city, would be his focus. There was his duo with Royce, Bad Meets Evil, whose pre- SSLP single of "Nuttin’ to Do"/"Scary Movies" would get renewed attention once those same two rappers had a duet, smartly titled "Bad Meets Evil," appear on a triple-platinum album. And of course there was the group D12, five Detroit rappers including his best friend Proof, with whom Eminem would release a whole album at the height of his fame.

This was not the only mainstream rap attention Detroit received in the late 1990s. For one thing, legendary producer James "J Dilla" Yancey, was a native of the city. But Eminem’s explosion helped make way for rappers in the city, even ones he didn’t know personally, to get attention. 

The after-effects of the Eminem tsunami can still be seen. Just look at the rise of so-called " scam rap " over the past few years. Or the success of artists like Babyface Ray, Kash Doll, 42 Dugg, and Veeze. They may owe little to Em artistically, but they admit that he’s done great things for the city — even if they may wish he was a little less reclusive these days . 

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Photos: Gary Miller/Getty Images; ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images; Jason Mendez/Getty Images; Erika Goldring/FilmMagic; Joseph Okpako/WireImage

2023 In Review: 5 Trends That Defined Hip-Hop

While hip-hop’s lack of chart success was rife for discussion during the first half of the year, there was plenty of great rap music in 2023. It may not be reaching the top of the charts as frequently, but the genre is as vibrant as ever.

For the first half of 2023, hip-hop’s lack of chart success seemed to be all anyone could talk about. 

No hip-hop album went No. 1 until Lil Uzi Vert ’s Pink Tape in July , and it wasn’t until September that Doja Cat broke a 13-month dry spell for the genre on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart with "Paint the Town Red" (the single is nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance at the 2024 GRAMMYs , alongside Miley Cyrus ' "Flowers," "Vampire" by Olivia Rodrigo , Taylor Swift 's "Antihero" and Billie Eilish 's "What Was I Made For?").

This situation caused a bunch of hand-wringing. As hip-hop celebrated its 50th anniversary, was the genre past its prime — artistic, commercial or both? Was it, as one popular radio personality proclaimed , being eased out by mysterious powers-that-be in favor of Afrobeats or reggaeton?

While it may not be reaching the top of the charts as frequently as in years past, hip-hop is as vibrant as ever. As it turns out, there was plenty of great hip-hop around in 2023, thanks to both new and veteran artists. As hip-hop enters its next 50 years , look back on some of the trends that are keeping the genre one of the most innovative.

SoundCloud Rap Returns

"SoundCloud rap" was an appellation given to a group of artists starting sometime in the mid-2010s. It referred to artists like XXXTentacion , Trippie Redd , Smokepurpp , Lil Pump , Denzel Curry , and many more. Often the artists looked as colorful as the music sounded — face tattoos were the norm — and its approach was structurally experimental, emo-influenced, and raw. (A good summary of the movement is here ). 

SoundCloud rap as a movement ran out of steam in 2019 after a string of tragic deaths ( Lil Peep , XXXTentacion, Juice WRLD). But now a new iteration of it is back. 

Yeat , who in 2018 back at the tail of SoundCloud rap’s initial run was hailed as "SoundCloud’s latest sensation," has developed into a major star who duets with Drake on the latter's For All The Dogs . He and a crew of artists such as Ken Car$on , Midwxst , and SSGKobe are taking the high-energy vibe of the initial wave of SoundCloud rap artists like Playboi Carti, and updating it for a new generation. 

This new slate is, as other coverage has pointed out , overall less chaotic and noisy, and more professional-sounding, than its predecessors, while still having similar youthful energy.

Women Are Leading The Way

For far too long in mainstream hip-hop, women have been relegated to "the one girl in the crew" status, or been pitted against each other by fans, media, and pretty much everyone else with a there-can-only-be-one mentality. Despite that, girls and women have always played a key role in the genre, both in front of the mic and behind the scenes .

Fortunately those retrograde notions are dead in 2023. A diverse array of female rappers are leading the way artistically and commercially. On the commercial side of the ledger, last year’s GRAMMY Best New Artist nominee Latto was the first rapper to score a No. 1 hit in 2023, while GloRilla , Coi Leray and Best New Artist nominee Ice Spice (who is nominated in the category alongside Gracie Abrams , Fred again.. , Jelly Roll , Coco Jones , Noah Kahan , Victoria Monét , and the War And Treaty ) have all had big chart wins.

Other female artists who are making big noise include Tierra Whack (who this publication pinpointed as someone " leading the next generation "), Rico Nasty, Flo Milli, Kash Doll, BIA, and countless others. For a primer on both how we got here and what the current generation is up to, make sure to watch the Netflix documentary Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop .

Change Is Happening At The Margins

As with most art forms, the real excitement happens at the edges . Whether it's people who are operating outside of the commercial mainstream, or artists who are pushing to expand the idea of what being a rapper even means by incorporating other types of music, the margins are where all the fun is.

In 2023, artists continued to incorporate other genres to the point where questioning whether their music is still hip-hop becomes impossible to answer — see Lil Yachty’s recent psychedelic turn and Kassa Overall’s jazzy explorations . There are also the truly outré, experimental artists like Fatboi Sharif , whose dark and abstract vision is unlike anything else; and psychedelic deep thinker Gabe ‘Nandez .

And there is a vibrant, arty underground scene that has its own revered veterans like billy woods whose profile (both solo and as a member of the duo Armand Hammer with ELUCID) has been rising rapidly over the past few years; as well as a contingent of younger aligned musicians like Fly Anakin and Pink Siifu. 

Veterans Are Killing The Stage

While some young artists are canceling or postponing live dates , or having tickets on the secondary market go for surprisingly low prices , there’s one contingent of artists who are having no problem filling seats and satisfying fans: the OGs.

The culture's legends crossed the country on stacked tours — many of which coincided with  the much-heralded 50th anniversary of hip-hop.The Rock the Bells F.O.R.C.E. Tour featured LL Cool J , the Roots , and a busload of veteran rappers . 2023 also saw the Nas and Wu-Tang Clan New York State of Mind Tour, and 50 Cent ’s Final Lap Tour. 

Hip-hop’s longtime stars are tearing down stages all over the world, and filling up arenas while doing it. Despite a popular culture always focused on the new and next, these OGs are showing their staying power where it counts — onstage, in front of the people. 

Hip-Hop Celebrates Its Golden Anniversary

Hip-hop officially celebrated 50 years of groundbreaking culture in August, but 2023 became a year-long celebration of the genre’s past. Figures going all the way back to Kool Herc and  DJ Hollywood had huge moments and a renewed focus on their achievements.

The celebration wasn’t limited to one single Yankee Stadium concert or one media outlet. It was instead a long and well-needed look back that spanned live events, museum exhibits, documentaries, books, and more. The retrospective really kicked off in February, with a killer showcase of hip-hop history at the 2023 GRAMMYs. And it continues all the way through to December with the Recording Academy’s "A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop" special . 

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Photo: Prolifickid

Westside Gunn On How Virgil Abloh & "Coming To The End" Of His Rap Career Inspired 'And Then You Pray For Me'

A self-proclaimed "super-vet" of the rap world, Westside Gunn knows his time as a rapper is nearing its finale — but first, he wants to "give you a journey" with his new album, 'And Then You Pray For Me.'

When Westside Gunn refers to himself as "the king of the underground," it's not hyperbole. The veteran rapper has spent the last decade-plus providing hip-hop with a streetwise, neo-boom-bap style that echoes heavily in the music of today. And as the founder of independent hip-hop label Griselda (and its related rap collective), Gunn's influence is felt through stars like his brother, Conway the Machine , his cousin, Benny the Butcher, and the enigmatic Mach-Hommy.  

But Gunn considers himself more a curator than a musician. He is obsessed with fashion and high art, more prone to mention going to see opera or buying a painting than jumping into a rhyme cipher.

All of Westside Gunn's obsessions come together on his new album And Then You Pray For Me . The rapper is positioning the project as a sequel to his 2020 LP Pray For Paris , which was inspired by Gunn attending a Paris Fashion Week runway show as a guest of the late Virgil Abloh. Abloh was the art director for both albums, which feature figures from iconic artworks laden with Gunn's signature chains; And Then You Pray For Me uses both the Mona Lisa and Caravaggio's The Entombment of Christ . 

While the 21-track album features plenty of Gunn's trademark neo-boom-bap sounds, he updates things a bit by including some songs that have a trap music influence. It contains stellar guest turns from old friends like Conway, Benny, Stove God Cooks, Rome Streetz, and Boldy James. But there are also surprising appearances from artists you might not normally associate with Griselda — Jeezy , Rick Ross , Denzel Curry , and Ty Dolla $ign .

Gunn has recently referred to And Then You Pray For Me as his last album, but don't expect him to slow down. He's making movies, planning big moves in the fashion world, and continuing to guide the careers of other artists. 

GRAMMY.com caught up with Gunn as he was, naturally, shopping in New York City's SoHo neighborhood ("I'm over here on Mercer [Street], so it's Lanvin, Balenciaga, Marni, Bape — it's all right here," he boasts). We discussed his creative pairing with Abloh, why he's really a curator at heart, and his views on underground rap's evolution over the past decade. 

The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Not to start on a super serious note, but as I was preparing for this conversation, I realized that we just passed the 17-year anniversary of the murder of your cousin, rapper Machine Gun Blak. If he could see you now, and if he could hear the new album, what do you think he might say?

First of all, he'd be all on [the album]. But he'd be super proud, man. Even when he's not here, he's one of my biggest fans, I feel like. His energy is Westside Gunn. Westside Gunn is a perfect example of Machine Gun Blak — just the raw, the grittiness. The grimy part of Westside Gunn, that's Machine Gun Blak. That's his spirit.

But I think he would love this album. It's a great piece of work. It's my favorite that I ever worked on. Out of all my projects ever, this is the most fun I ever had making one. 

Does it feel like it's been 17 years since he died?

Nah. It doesn't seem like 17 years, honestly. And it's crazy because I just went to his grave site. I remember [the day he died] like it was yesterday. I vividly remember that day — what was going on, what I was doing, where I was going, everything.

Where were you when you found out?  

See, back in those days, that's when we were still in the streets. So I was just about to go make a move. I was talking to him on the phone, and I was like, "I'll hit you when I get over to Atlanta." Because at that time, I was making moves. That's before all of this. It's the things I rap about now. When you hear the lyrics, these are those days. 

He called me, and it was a situation. He was talking about it, and I was like, "Sorry to cut you off, but I gotta go handle this. When I get there, I'll hit you back so we can finish talking about it."

At that time I was still catching the Greyhound from Alabama to Atlanta. But it was crazy because I missed the bus, and I never miss the bus. So I was on my way back to the house in Alabama, and my grandma called me.  

This era of your career, which this album is a cap to, began in 2012 when you realized you had to step up and be an artist because Conway The Machine had gotten shot and you weren't sure he'd be able to rap anymore . I've always been curious about your state of mind at that moment.

Even then I was still in-the-streets Gunn. We was working so hard, man. I was acting as his manager and investing my bread, my time. I really wanted Conway to be the biggest artist in the world. Unfortunately, when he got shot, it was a devastating blow.

Of course, that's my brother. That's the number one thing. And it was also like, the streets is crazy. I thought, I'm a smart guy. If I just put in my effort, I could really make this happen. At that time, I was really in the streets, and I felt like the [other] rappers weren't. It was like, you're really rapping about us . 

It was that kind of mentality — that if I come in this game, can't nobody touch me, because I'm as real as it comes. I just put my hustle skills from the streets into this, and it all worked out. 

During the heyday of that era of Griselda, you guys released a flood of projects — dozens and dozens of mixtapes and albums.  

It was a flood. It was the craziest flood since No Limit [Records].

What was a typical day like for you when all that was going on, circa the mid-2010s?

Just being at [producer] Daringer's house. Getting high, eating f—in' Franco's pizza , drinking Loganberry , and Daringer cooking the craziest beats you ever heard in your life. The rest is history. Just having fun, man. Everybody had they hustles. Believe it or not, even Daringer was hustling! We from Buffalo, man.

You've always been someone who understood the importance of branding. Even on early Griselda projects, you'd promote GxFR [Griselda by Fashion Rebels, Gunn's clothing line at the time].  

Yeah, because that's the thing: Griselda Records comes from Griselda by Fashion Rebels. I had the clothing brand first. I was already doing a clothing line and it was just like, What am I going to name this record company?

I've always been into fashion. I actually do more fashion-related things than hip-hop-related things. I'm a true designer. I've been designing since I was a kid, and that's the thing that I want to get into more. 

I've been rhyming since '12. That's over a decade. If we're looking at NBA years, NFL years, I'm already a super-vet. I'm not trying to be one of them dudes that went from averaging 40 a game to now I'm averaging five, looking crazy and old. 

I know when to gracefully bow out. And I know I'm coming to the end. I don't want to keep rapping forever about the same things, because in my life I'm maturing. I'm doing other things. I'm collecting art. I'm going to see operas. 

But it's not the end right now. Right now, I just want to give people the best music. And I also want to let people in. I've been doing these [YouTube] episodes for this album where I've been letting people into my life for the first time in my career. Everybody has been loving it. 

For the first time, people are actually getting to see the inside of Westside Gunn's life. I think that's one of the things that I lacked on, was letting people in. If I would have let people in a long time ago, I'd be way bigger. But everything is about time, and I'm not tripping.

Before I hang up the mic, I still want to kind of give you a journey with the music. This new project, it's a super different vibe. I've never made an album sound like this. It's the perfect art piece that I could have possibly created.

It's just the space I'm in in life. It comes with maturity — traveling the world, kids getting older, things like that. You can hear the music has matured. It's still raw though. That's the thing about me. I'm still gonna give you that Griselda Westside Gunn. That's never gonna change. I'm not going too far out of context. 

For this album, you've introduced the alter ego "Super Flygod." What does that name mean?  

Listen, man, Super Flygod right now is talking to you with a ponytail. I'm on another level. Super Flygod is what I've always been, but times 10. I'm super bougie. I love five-star meals. I love five-star hotels. I love wearing $10,000 outfits. I love getting massages. I love smelling good. I love just looking good. That's Super Flygod. 

It's just a different energy. It's something the game never seen before. I did the unthinkable at least 100 times already. I'm still doing it. 

What was it like for you to see Conductor Williams — a producer who has worked with Gunn and Griselda for many years — land a single on a Drake album ?

Beautiful. That's what we do it for. He did exactly what he was supposed to do, and that's be on the No. 1 album in the world. He deserves all of that. That's what we're in this game for — to be able to leave a legacy and take care of our babies. So for him to be on the No. 1 album, that's a super blessing. 

That's the thing about Conductor — it's just gonna be the beginning. He's on my new album a few times. So he's gonna have a hell of a month. It's the biggest month of his life. Business is booming for Conductor. 

You've used the word "curation" a lot over the course of your career, and especially in regards to this album. What does that word mean to Westside Gunn?

First of all, that's my favorite thing to do on an album. Curation from me is me . I can curate for you, I can curate for MC Hammer . It's you, but it's me . 

When I curate a project, that's me naming every song, that's me picking every beat, that's me doing the sequence, that's me making the art cover, that's me doing the merch. You see what I'm saying? It's you , but it's me . All you're doing is showing up and rapping. That's all you gotta do.

Virgil Abloh is credited with art directing this album's cover. What did that mean, specifically?  

When I went out to Paris [for Paris Fashion Week in 2020], I really wasn't going to make music. I just felt the energy from Virgil having me out there. When I hit him and told him it was done, it was just like, "There's only one person that can do this cover." It had to be him. 

Virgil was an icon. So to have Virgil cooking up for you is already legendary. This don't happen to nobody from Buffalo, man. But when he was cooking, he was making me multiple pieces. At first, the idea was, I'm gonna do a trilogy [of Pray albums]. I was gonna have the Mona Lisa be the picture that represents all three of them together. I was thinking [of a] box set, with a Mona Lisa front and three different covers inside. 

Once he passed, it changed what I wanted to do with it. But we were already talking about dropping [a second Pray album]. We were already going to re-release the first shirts we did, and I was going to do new ones. But when [his death] happened, I put everything on a standstill and I didn't really know how I wanted to approach it again.

It was like, Damn, should I do the trilogy, or should I just make it a part two? I had different options. At the end of the day, it was just like, I think I'm just going to finish it up . I really want to give the people the work we created together before I throw in the towel. I felt it was only right. That's something that I want the world to always see and remember — what me and him cooked up together.

You say in your new YouTube documentary series that this new album will probably go over people's heads. What aspects of it do you think people might not get initially, or take a few years to catch up to?

The same reason why they're catching up now to the s— that I was doing five years ago, and everybody acts like it's new. I've always been ahead of my time. Always. I probably get copied off of the most in the industry. But you see that I've always gotten respect from everybody: from the Drakes , from the Tylers , the Rockys , Kendricks , Coles , anybody. I'm a one-of-one. It's never been seen before. 

The respect I get, it could be on a mainstream level, but then I could still be on an underground level. I can do something with an Estee Nack, but then turn around and do a song with Mary J. Blige . That's who Westside Gunn is. I got songs with everybody you can possibly think of, rhyming-wise or production-wise. All the legends, even our fallen legends. I can't even think of no other emcee that got a record with Sean Price , Prodigy , DMX , and MF DOOM . It's impossible to name another one. 

Westside Gunn is so cultured, people don't even understand. That's what I mean about [being] over people's heads. People still don't even get it. They're scratching their head, like, "How is this guy on [Kanye West's] Donda ? How is this guy on [Travis Scott's] Utopia ?"

There's a big part of underground rap now that can be traced directly to what Roc Marciano began doing in 2010 , and what you guys started doing just a few years later. What do you think when you see a lot of your aesthetic from that time in the current underground scene?

The current underground scene, I'm loving it. Because you gotta think — at that time, like you said, it was only really Roc Marci, Action Bronson — a couple heads. That's in the space that we come from. Of course, we still had the J. Coles and Big Seans and all that, but that was another lane. We're in the same neighborhood, two different streets. 

But on our street, people on the block was Roc Marci and Action Bronson. Danny Brown, he lived on the block. People like that. When I came on the scene, that's all it was. But I took the bull by the horns. Like I said, I'm a hustler. I was still hustling in the street. I had a hustler mentality, and once I told myself I had to quit cold turkey, I never looked back. I just went extra hard. 

With the new heads, I'm proud of them. At the end of the day, I'm happy that I was able to be somebody that they could study. That they could see these vinyl deals or how this merch is played — I'm kind of like the blueprint. I'm not going to say I'm the king of the underground, but I'm the king of the underground.

Even though I'm the king of the underground, I'm still on Donda . I'm still on Utopia . I'm still making all these big songs and these big records. And even yesterday, we put up the Post Malone clip saying if he could work with anybody, it'd be me. 

I'm the one that put the most points on the board, in every way possible. But this is also showing the new heads, If I could work hard, I'm gonna be the next Roc Marci, I'm gonna be the next Action Bronson in that space .

What is the possibility of getting the original Griselda trio of you, your brother and your cousin back together for a project?  

That's coming in '24. You don't even you got to ask twice. That's already done, my brother. 

A Guide To New York Hip-Hop: Unpacking The Sound Of Rap's Birthplace From The Bronx To Staten Island

• 1 Lil Yachty Wants You To Be "Ready For Everything" At The Field Trip Tour
• 2 GRAMMY Rewind: Megan Thee Stallion Went From "Savage" To Speechless After Winning Best New Artist In 2021
• 3 4 Reasons Why Eminem's 'The Slim Shady LP' Is One Of The Most Influential Rap Records
• 4 2023 In Review: 5 Trends That Defined Hip-Hop
• 5 Westside Gunn On How Virgil Abloh & "Coming To The End" Of His Rap Career Inspired 'And Then You Pray For Me'

• October 11, 2022

Elliot Montanez

Poland – [lil yachty].

• Articles , Featured

Every social media platform has been jam-packed for the past week or so with memes and content based on Lil Yachty’s snippet for this record “Poland” which officially dropped on DSP’s last night. Lyrical Lemonade has a very close relationship with Lil Yachty, so it made perfect sense to fully capitalize on this moment and connect for the new music video, which just dropped a few minutes ago! You will find Yachty + Cole roaming the streets of New York, where Yachty took a brave and courageous adventure to travel all the way to Poland via train, securing the wock in the process and blessing the citizens + instantly improving their quality of life.

Rumor has it that taking the wock to Poland is actually a great metaphor for this game of life that we all play – many experts have been doing the science to try to figure out what it truly means. You can find many of these theories in the comments section under the video, enjoy!

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Why Did Lil Yachty Go to Poland?

• Feb 20, 2024

Have you heard about Lil Yachty’s recent visit to Poland? The popular American rapper and singer surprised fans by choosing to travel to Eastern Europe for a unique experience. Let’s delve into the reasons behind his trip and discover what led him to this fascinating destination.

Credit: www.wired.co.uk

The Music Connection

Lil Yachty’s visit to Poland may have deep roots in the vibrant music scene of the country. Poland has a rich musical heritage with a growing hip-hop and rap community that is gaining international recognition. By immersing himself in the local music culture, Lil Yachty likely sought inspiration and collaborated with Polish artists to explore new creative avenues.

Cultural Exchange and Exploration

Traveling provides a valuable opportunity for cultural exchange and exploration. Lil Yachty, known for his versatility and open-minded approach to music, may have wanted to embrace the Polish culture, traditions, and history. By experiencing Poland firsthand, he could broaden his horizons and gain a fresh perspective that could influence his future work.

Fans and Global Reach

Visiting Poland could also be a strategic move to connect with his international fan base. Lil Yachty’s decision to travel to a European country like Poland demonstrates his commitment to engaging with fans worldwide and expanding his global reach. By engaging with local fans and media, he can strengthen his presence in the European music market.

Promotional Opportunities

Furthermore, Lil Yachty’s trip to Poland might also be tied to promotional opportunities. Concerts, media appearances, and collaborations with Polish influencers can help him increase visibility and build momentum for his music career. Connecting with new audiences and markets can be a key strategy to sustain relevance in the ever-evolving music industry.

Personal Growth and Inspiration

On a personal level, traveling to a foreign country like Poland can be a transformative experience. It allows individuals to step out of their comfort zones, embrace unfamiliar surroundings, and gain new insights. Lil Yachty’s journey to Poland might have been driven by a desire for personal growth, self-discovery, and creative inspiration that only travel can provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did lil yachty go to poland.

Lil Yachty went to Poland to promote his music and connect with his international fanbase.

How Did Lil Yachty’s Visit To Poland Benefit Him?

By visiting Poland, Lil Yachty experienced cultural diversity, expanded his fanbase, and gained exposure to new markets.

What Kind Of Reception Did Lil Yachty Receive In Poland?

Lil Yachty received a warm and enthusiastic reception from his Polish fans, who were excited to see him perform live.

Did Lil Yachty Collaborate With Any Polish Artists During His Visit?

During his visit to Poland, Lil Yachty collaborated with several talented Polish artists, creating a fusion of international music styles.

In conclusion, Lil Yachty’s decision to visit Poland is likely influenced by a combination of factors, including his love for music, interest in cultural exploration, desire to connect with fans globally, promotional opportunities, and personal growth aspirations. By embarking on this journey, Lil Yachty has not only expanded his horizons but also enriched his artistic vision and connected with a diverse audience. As fans eagerly anticipate the results of his Polish adventure, one thing is certain – Lil Yachty’s trip to Poland has left a lasting impact on both his music and his journey as an artist.

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• April 10, 2024

Why Doesn’t Justin Bieber Wear a Wedding Ring?

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8 gigs happening in 2024 to add to your diary now

From reunited super-groups to current chart-toppers, here are the performers coming to an arena near you

As the year ends, it’s become something of a tradition to nostalgically pour over our music stats, remembering that month you listened to Olivia Rodrigo on repeat post-situationship, or enthusiastically downloaded all of Taylor Swift’s re-recorded material.

But with that trip down Memory Lane complete, it’s time to start looking forward to 2024, which means planning your year in gigs.

There are so many unmissable arena tours happening this year, and if you want to make your night extra special, Sky customers can now access exclusive pre-show lounges with private bars, merch stands and more at The SSE Arena, Belfast; OVO Arena Wembley; Utilita Arena Birmingham and first direct arena, Leeds.

1. Girls Aloud

Naturally, we absolutely lost it at the news that Girls Aloud were reuniting for The Girls Aloud Show – a nationwide arena tour dedicated to late band member Sarah Harding, who passed away in 2021. While obviously tinged with sadness, the tour is “a celebration of Sarah, our music and our incredible fans,” say Nicola, Cheryl, Kimberley and Nadine. And with no new music on the horizon, it’s going to be pure unadulterated hits from start to finish. If you see us doing the full Love Machine routine, mind your own, please.

Touring throughout May and June. Sky VIP lounge available at The SSE Arena, Belfast on 21 and 22 May, and at first direct arena, Leeds on 15 and 16 June.

2. Lil Yachty

Good news! US rapper – and Drake’s best pal – Lil Yachty’s postponed The Field Trip tour will touch down at OVO Arena Wembley in April. And with his vow that he “can’t wait to party”, expect high energy, psychedelic visuals, good vibes from the crowd and hits from his recent Let’s Start Here album, as well as old favourites.

Playing in April and May, including at OVO Arena Wembley on 29 April, with Sky VIP lounge available .

3. Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS tour lands in the UK in May, and if it’s anything like her banger-filled album, it’s one not to be missed. Plus, with PinkPantheress, The Breeders, Chappell Roan and Remi Wolf set to join her at selected shows, it’s one to get there early for. You’ll find us skipping the queues and fuelling up with tasty food and drink in the Sky VIP lounge at Utilita Arena Birmingham, before applying lashings of glitter, getting our nails done and eyeing up the merch. The only way we plan to do gigs now, tbh.

Playing across the UK in May including at Utilita Arena Birmingham on 10 and 11 May. Sky VIP lounge is fully booked for both dates.

4. Troye Sivan

If, like us, you spent hours trying to master the dance moves from Troye Sivan's Rush video, then of course you need to be at his Something to Give Each Other tour. It's set to be his biggest tour to date, filled with electro-pop bangers and gay anthems from his Grammy-nominated album of the same name. What better way to celebrate Pride Month?

Playing OVO Arena Wembley on 27 June, with Sky VIP lounge available . Troye is also playing in Manchester and Glasgow.

5. Becky Hill

Is it too early to start thinking about next autumn? We don’t think so. Treat Future You to some dance-pop to warm your cockles next October with Becky Hill’s arena tour. Expect big vocals, no shortage of chart hits and perhaps the odd special guest or two.

Touring throughout October, with Sky VIP lounge available at first direct arena, Leeds on 16 October, Utilita Arena Birmingham on 19 October, and at OVO Arena Wembley on 24 October.

6. Ja Rule, Keri Hilson, Lloyd and Mya

Not one, not two, but four hip-hop and R&B legends all in one night? Count us in. Expect 00s anthems like Ja Rule's Livin' It Up and Keri Hilson's Knock You Down . Fingers crossed Mya breaks out Lady Marmalade – we'll fill in for Christina.

Touring throughout M arch. Sky VIP lounge available at OVO A rena Wembley (2 March), Utilita Arena Birmingham (3 March), first direct arena, Leeds (6 March) and The SSE Arena, Belfast (14 March).

7. Jonas Brothers

It’s scientific fact that you can judge someone’s entire personality on whether they’re a Nick, Kevin or Joe girlie. Next summer, Jonas Brothers are heading out on their biggest tour yet. Creatively named The World Tour – promoting their equally creatively named album, ahem, The Album – it will no doubt be another feast for TikTok as well as your ears.

Touring throughout June. Sky VIP lounge available at Utilita Arena Birmingham on 15 June and The SSE Arena, Belfast on 20 June.

8. Blink-182

Pop punk legends Blink-182 are set to headline Reading and Leeds Festivals in 2024, but if you want the full Blink experience, save the date for their arena tour, also in August. With OG singer and guitarist Tom DeLonge back in the band, and drummer Travis Barker due back for the gigs, after welcoming a baby with wife Kourtney Kardashian, there’s no better time to snap up a ticket. Maybe you’ll even rub shoulders with Kourt in the mosh pit...

Book into the Sky VIP lounge at The SSE Arena, Belfast on 26 August.

Sky VIP lounges are now open at The SSE Arena, Belfast, OVO Arena Wembley, Utilita Arena Birmingham and first direct arena, Leeds. Just head to the VIP section on the My Sky app and book your free pass.