There was never a backup plan for Lil Tecca.

“I don’t have a plan B,” asserts the rapper, who, at just 22 years old, can confidently say he’s found his calling.

“Honestly, I don’t have a backup plan at the moment and I don’t know if I’ll ever have one.”

Few early twenty-somethings feel that secure in their choice of career, but Tec particularly stands out among the rest, having already spent the past five years as a professional rapper. In 2019, his single “Ransom” peaked at number four on the Billboard chart, and now, he finds himself fresh off the release of his fourth studio album, PLAN A.

PLAN A was a byproduct of the rapper’s “clear creative vision,” and finds him stepping into a more mature bag than projects past. “I wanted to bring people one step closer into my personal life,” Tec says, pointing to his choice to handle most of the LP solo.

Themes across the 18-track offering feel less than elementary, with Tec exploring the personal and professional hardships he’s had to endure as his clout continues to skyrocket at such a young age. “I wanted to incorporate both sides of the spectrum: really ‘Hypebeast’ music but also really mellow, soft sounds,” he explains of the sonic profile, though still clarifying that “[his] approach to music hasn’t changed at all.”

The one feature comes from Cactus Jack heavyweight Don Toliver, who offers his psychedelic persona to the staggering “I CAN’T LET GO.” On “TASTE,” the album’s lead single, Tec pays tribute to his elders, sampling Boom Clap Bachelors’s “Tiden Flyver” – the same sample that backs Kendrick Lamar’s “B*tch Don’t Kill My Vibe” – whereas on “120”, his favorite cut from the album, he leans into his own independence, spitting: “I’ve been waitin’ for it all to change / Like, I been waitin’ on this one day / Like, sh*t could only just go one way.”

While the custom YSL pieces are nice, for Tec, it’s ultimately not about the fame, flattery, or anything that comes with it. It’s about executing the vision he’s had since Day 1, as a high school student at Long Island’s Lawrence High School. “Once I come up with a creative theme like I did on PLAN A, I just let it flow from there,” he continues, finding himself particularly drawn to the versatility of leopard print when curating the aesthetic for the album.

The album’s cover art sees Tec wrapped in leopard print drapery, donning sunglasses elevated with leopard detailing to match. The animal print, also evident in a slew of Tec’s infamous Instagram ‘fit pics, continues to make its way into the album’s music videos as well – all of which Tec styles himself for. “Fashion a key form of expression for me,” he adds. “It’s just another layer of my artistry and identity.”

Despite unleashing his third studio album TEC less than a year ago, when the rapper announced PLAN A, the response from fans was that of a rapper who hasn’t dropped in ages. Fueled by listener loyalty and further propelled by his ability to consistently deliver, Tec’s relationship with his listeners is not only critical to him, but it feels authentic. “I want to drop what my fans feel most connected with,” he says, heavily leaning into this sentiment on the vulnerable LP.

While Tecca values his listeners tenfold, he doesn’t let their expectations weigh too heavily on him – and knows he has to keep part of himself hidden behind his animal print. “At the end of the day, I know my fans haven’t heard all of the music I have in the archives, so if they don’t like something, it’s kind of like a ‘pick your poison’ mentality.”

It’s this difficult dichotomy of trusting his fans – but ultimately trusting his gut more – that allows the young rapper to continue climbing the congested ladder of hip-hop success.

Because ultimately, as he’s known since he was 14, it’s all about fulfilling his own prophecy. “For me, it’s just about knowing what I want to do and going for it no matter what.”