Lil Yachty: "I’m More Than an Artist. I'm a Brand"

With attacks coming in at from every direction, headline-dominating artist Lil Yachty sat down with The New York Times for a new interview. Speaking to Joe Coscarelli for a feature on his come-up, Yachty opens up about his musical and fashion inspirations, his current approach, going “viral,” and more. His father and his industry-veteran manager Coach K also recall specific, unique experiences with Yachty, with the latter comparing his first meeting with Yachty to encountering Marilyn Manson for the first time. “You’ve got this freakish look, but he’s not scared of who he is,” Coach K explains. “He’s wearing it with pride. Instantly I said, ‘This is it.’”

As two choice quotes from the interview reveal, Yachty also appears to already have plans for his career’s future:

I always knew I was going to be something … I didn’t know what … I’m not a rapper, I’m an artist. And I’m more than an artist. I’m a brand.”

“Rappers don’t have endorsements because of their images … Endorsement money is huge … And I care about my character … I don’t rap about drinking or smoking, ever, because I don’t do it. I don’t rap about anything I don’t do.”

Besides the insightful Q&A session, Yachty also took part in an Alex Tudela-styled photoshoot for The New York Times. For his exclusive NYT editorial, the “1 Night” crooner was dressed in everything from Maison Margiela to the COMME des GARÇONS HOMME Plus x Nike Dunk High. You can view part of the aforementioned editorial in the gallery above, and check out the entire NYT piece here.