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| Lil Yachty | |
|---|---|
| Name | Miles Parks McCollum |
| Stage name | Lil Yachty |
| Birth date | August 23, 1997 |
| Birth place | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | Quality Control Music, Capitol Records, Motown |
Lil Yachty is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur who rose to prominence in the mid-2010s as a leading figure in the contemporary hip hop and cloud rap scenes. Known for his distinctive vocal tone, melodic delivery, and playful persona, he gained mainstream attention with mixtapes and singles that blended hip hop with elements of pop, trap, and punk aesthetics. His career spans recording, film and television appearances, fashion collaborations, and entrepreneurial projects.
Born Miles Parks McCollum in Atlanta, Georgia, he grew up in the Mableton, Georgia area and later moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin during adolescence before returning to Atlanta. He attended Smyrna High School and later studied at Oakland University (note: some biographical sources differ on post-secondary attendance), participating in local youth athletics and arts programs. Raised in a household with ties to both Georgia and the broader Southeastern United States, his upbringing placed him within the cultural orbit of artists and institutions associated with the Atlanta hip hop scene, including influences from artists tied to labels such as So So Def and LaFace Records.
He first gained attention on the internet and streaming platforms with early releases and mixtapes in the mid-2010s, eventually signing to Quality Control Music, a label known for acts like Migos, Lil Baby, and City Girls. Breakthrough recordings included viral singles that circulated on platforms associated with the rise of cloud rap and SoundCloud-era artists, aligning him with contemporaries such as Lil Uzi Vert, Trippie Redd, and Playboi Carti. His debut commercial projects charted on the Billboard 200, leading to festival appearances at events like Coachella, Rolling Loud, and Lollapalooza. He released studio albums and mixtapes under major distributors including Capitol Records and Motown, collaborating with producers and artists across genres such as Kanye West, Drake, Pharrell Williams, and Young Thug. He also appeared in film and television projects, sharing credits with actors and creators from Lionsgate, Netflix, and Adult Swim productions.
Musically, his work exhibits a blend of melodic autotune-inflected vocalizing, pop sensibilities, and trap rhythms, placing him in dialogues with artists from the cloud rap and emo-rap movements like Frank Ocean, Tyler, the Creator, and Mac Miller. His aesthetic choices—colorful hair, nautical imagery, and playful visuals—drew comparisons to experimental pop and runway artists represented by labels and institutions such as GAP collaborations and fashion events in New York Fashion Week. Producers and collaborators from the contemporary hip hop ecosystem, including those affiliated with 808 Mafia, Metro Boomin, and Hit-Boy, have shaped his sonic palette. He has cited influences ranging from classic hip hop figures like OutKast and Lil Wayne to alternative performers such as Kurt Cobain and David Bowie in interviews and public commentary.
Beyond recording, he has pursued ventures in fashion, brand partnerships, and acting. Notable collaborations include capsule collections with retail brands and joint projects with fashion houses that participate in Paris Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week circuits, as well as product lines marketed through retailers akin to Urban Outfitters and Hot Topic. In acting and voice work, he has appeared in film and television productions alongside studios such as Universal Pictures and streaming platforms like Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. He has been involved in endorsement deals and creative partnerships with consumer brands and technology firms, sometimes intersecting with esports and gaming enterprises including events hosted by organizations like ESL and Major League Gaming. His entrepreneurial activity extended to limited-edition products and experiential pop-ups in cities including Los Angeles, New York City, and Atlanta.
He has been public about aspects of his family background, friendships, and creative community ties within the Atlanta music scene, maintaining relationships with musicians, producers, and cultural figures associated with labels such as Quality Control Music and crews connected to Atlanta hip hop. He has discussed lifestyle choices and the impact of touring on personal routines in interviews with media outlets including music and culture magazines like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. Residence and travel have often centered on hubs for entertainment and music production, including Los Angeles and New York City, while maintaining connections to his Georgia roots.
His public image has prompted debate and controversy at times, involving critical responses from peers and media outlets over comments, collaborations, and musical direction. High-profile disputes and commentary have included exchanges with other artists from scenes represented by labels such as Cash Money Records and Def Jam Recordings, and scrutiny from cultural commentators in outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian. Conversations about genre boundaries, artistic authenticity, and commercialism have featured in coverage of his career, as have responses to his statements about influences and peers that generated backlash on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. Despite controversies, he has retained commercial success and continued collaboration with mainstream artists, entertainment companies, and fashion institutions.
Category:American rappers Category:1997 births Category:Living people