Lil Yachty noticed that people keep moving the goalposts for rappers, and he wants to be recognized for surpassing expectations.
In a video posted to Instagram, the 28-year-old rapper reflected on the conversation of longevity in hip-hop.
"Well, first they said I was a one-hit wonder," Yachty said. "They were like, 'You're not going to make it past 'One Night.' That's it.' And then they said 'one year.' Like, 'We won't hear him by next year.' Then it became the average rapper has a lifespan of five years. And now the conversation is, 'How is he still relevant?'"
His first single, "One Night," catapulted Yachty to overnight sensation status in 2015, with his debut mixtape following in 2016. The rapper struck gold with "Broccoli" alongside DRAM, signing to Quality Control Music, Motown Records and Capitol Records in a joint venture record deal.
Since then, Yachty earned multiple entries on the Billboard 200, collaborated with everyone from Drake to James Blake, and even ventured into psychedelic rock with his polarizing 2023 album Let's Start Here. Yachty most recently wrapped up a world tour with Tyler, the Creator for the Chromakopia Tour.
Most recently, Yachty made headlines for taking sides in the explosive beef between his former Concrete Boys member Karraboo and rising underground rapper Jorjiana, the latter with whom he collaborated with for "ILY XL." Karrahboo had some choice words for Jorjiana, writing on X, "I am not no industry bitch u will get yo ass beat."