Lil Yachty - Teenage Emotions (May 26th, 2017) Album • Page 7

Exactly, and this is kind of gets to the crux about what bothers me with Yachty specifically. He seemed really forward-thinking to me and I felt like he was bringing in a new generation of rappers that aren't afraid to subvert the status quo. He was always talking about rapping about joyful things instead of the usual themes that revolve around violence, and then there's the inclusivity that's displayed right on the cover, so it's even more disappointing when he falls into the misogynistic rap tropes that are the opposite of inclusive.

Also, this might be me making excuses for him, but I genuinely don't feel like this is the kind of person he is. It feels like a mask he's wearing to fit in with the rappers he's influenced by, and that's a perfect example of how what rappers choose to say today is going to matter not just now but for the future of hip hop.

 

Yeah, I have a different conclusion on the matter - I posted about it earlier in the thread - but I would like to hear him describe it in that context. I definitely don't think he's that kind of person either, and I suspect he's making fun of misogyny/racism rather than endorsing it, but I don't know! That's why I would like to hear him speak to it.

 

Movies and books can portray racism/sexism/homophobia, but if a song does it, why is it scrutinized more? I'm not condoning any of the lyrics on this, or any other album, just wondering what standards should be held to a presumably fictional piece of art?

 

a lot of it has to do with how it's portrayed. is the person who commits the racism/sexism/homophobia portrayed in a positive light? or is it angled in a way that shows them as a negative character? do these traits make this character complicated and it's a part of them that isn't necessarily a good part of them or is it the traits of the writer or director shining through?

a good reference for this was that chris pratt movie recently where he basically sentences a girl to death by freeing her from her cryogenic state on the way to a new planet and then he lies to her, and then at the end they end up together anyways. the misogynistic intent there doesn't end up reflecting poorly on the character at all.

in music, it's the artist saying the words. unless it's known they're playing a character and there's a reason for it there's no way for that to be construed differently

i agree with a lot of the points in here posted in the last page, i think this stuff needs to be scrutinized more and perhaps enough fan outrage will finally get to the labels, because it's them and management that needs to shift first. once some of the images of misogyny in rap become less accepted and portrayed in a different light in the mainstream then a lot of that will change rap going forward

 

theres a difference between "portraying" and "believing" and thats the distinction. there are hundreds of songs written that "portray" racism/sexism/homophobia/etc but they do so in a way to critique those that belief in said problematic behaviors, whereas a director or author or even musician who has exhibited the traits of a racist/sexist/homophobe then creates a piece of art that further enhances their problematic behaviors should be held under scrutiny and held accountable.

the major caveat here is the genre of hip hop as a whole. as has been said before, theres a lot to unpack as to WHY and HOW certain rappers and hip hop artists display certain toxic behaviors a lot of which is tied to racism, classism, the culture, etc but often when this discussion happens its just left at that. i think @skogsraet brings up a good point and i myself being an LGBTQ person also have had this....inner turmoil i guess you could call it. from the outside looking in hip hop isnt perceived as being welcoming towards women or LGTBQ and I think the reason it stings even more here is that Lil Yachty seems like a very forward thinking, well spoken, conscious rapper yet still falls into these....i dont want to say "tropes" but the kind of, normalized language of hip hop so to speak and there are people like myself and others that want to hold these artists accountable while still understanding the context. at the end of the day, really, its not my place or anyone elses place to tell others what they should or should not listen to but as someone that wants to be a better ally I think a discussion like this is worth having. I hope this came across well since im kind of in a rush to get ready for work but i felt the need to comment and hopefully spur the conversation in a positive direction

 

Well, he specifically uses two characters. Lil Boat and Yachty with Boat being the more aggressive one. I don't think the misogyny is really necessary or excusable either way but I think we could read it as Boat being less of a vulnerable character while Yachty reveals his true feelings.

One of the songs that stood out to me the most was the "Priorities" track where he says he would cheat on his girlfriend who's so loyal, saying his priorities are fucked and seeming to condemn the behavior he's been promoting previously. Plus the next two tracks, "No More" and "Made of Glass" lay out everything on the table. Telling the audience that he can't continue relationships with girls who only care about his money and that he's in love with a girl who's in love with someone else.

The misogyny in the previous songs could be seen as disingenuous, trying to hide his true feelings.

 

http://www.vulture.com/2017/05/review-lil-yachtys-teenage-emotions.html

 

Are Tegan and Sara credited for Running With a Ghost or naw

 

Not trying to argue, just curious...

Why, do you find the content of the lyrics inexcusable if you know for a fact that it's a character?

 

I just think it doesn't contribute anything to the story he's trying to tell. It takes away more than it helps, it's alienating to listeners who would otherwise relate to the feelings of anger and frustration I think he's trying to express.

 

He does talk about Asian women so much I expect Rivers Cuomo to pop up any second

 

I used to rock a Metallica t shirt
You used to call it the thunder tee

 

makes me smile everytime

 

New song Oh Yeah on the Captain Underpants soundtrack that's out today lol

 

It's pretty terrible tbh

 

we love u back Yachty!!!

 

meeting greets

 

bummed but not too shocked that TMT did not like this that much

 

They also said Say My Name wasn't a good song so from that point on I knew I was not going to agree lol

 

RT if u still fuck with this hard

 

Think I made my friends listen to Priorities theee times last night

That is an RT

 

The Eternal Sunshine Of Lil Yachty

 

Hot Tune Alert

A-Trak - Believe (feat. Quavo and Lil Yachty) on streaming now