OPINION: Yung Lean Changed the Future of Hip Hop, in 2013
Pioneering Cloud Rap and Shaping the Internet-Era Music and Fashion
In 2013, a 16 year old Swedish artist named Yung Lean burst onto the scene, baffling and intriguing audiences with his unique blend of musical styles and visual aesthetics. While initially met with confusion, Yung Lean's work has since been recognised for its groundbreaking nature, solidifying his position as a pivotal figure in contemporary music and fashion.
FROM SWEDEN TO THE WORLD
Born Jonatan Aron Leandoer Håstad in 1996, Yung Lean defied expectations by becoming one of the few European artists to achieve genuine success in the United States Hip hop scene. His ability to anticipate and adapt to emerging trends, coupled with his innovative use of meme culture and online platforms, propelled him to the forefront of the digital music scene.
INSPIRING A GENERATION OF ARTISTS
In September 2014, Yung Lean's first studio album, 'Unknown Memory', marked a more serious tone in his career, gaining critical praise. This album included a collaboration with then-emerging artist Travi$ Scott. Reflecting on this, Yung Lean shared how Travis Scott, initially a big fan, reached out to him when he was still rising in popularity, contrasting their respective follower counts at that time with Travis Scott's current status as a icon in modern Hip hop.
“He [Travis Scott] was a big fan, he called me up. He had like a hundred thousand followers and maybe at that time I even had more, and now he is like the biggest artist in the world.”
The list of artists acknowledging Lean's influence is vast and diverse, including household names like Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, A$AP Rocky, and Lil Uzi Vert. Even artists beyond the realm of hip-hop, like Charli XCX, have cited him as an inspiration. This cross-genre appeal speaks volumes about Lean's ability to transcend genre boundaries.
Charli XCX has since discussed an unreleased song, a collaboration between herself, Yung Lean, Bladee, and produced by Caroline Polachek intended for her album ‘Charli’. As a fan, I'm eagerly anticipating and hope to hear this track one day.
THE RISE OF THE SAD BOY
Yung Lean's music resonated with a global audience thanks in part to his exploration of the "sad boy" aesthetic. He blended elements of romanticism, emo, and grunge, creating a unique and relatable persona that resonated with audiences yearning for emotional authenticity. His music provided a soundtrack for an online generation grappling with anxieties and uncertainties, solidifying his place as a cultural touchstone.
Yung Lean is widely considered a pioneer of cloud rap, a subgenre of hip-hop characterised by its melancholic and introspective lyrics, atmospheric production, and heavy reliance on digital sampling. He developed this unique sound through his collaborations with his Sad Boys crew, particularly producers Yung Gud and Yung Sherman.
KEY ELEMENTS OF CLOUD RAP
Heavy use of sampling: Yung Lean's music often incorporates samples from a wide range of sources, including video game soundtracks, anime soundtracks, and obscure pop songs. This creates a distinctively lo-fi and nostalgic atmosphere.
Slowed-down tempos: Cloud rap often features slow and atmospheric beats, often achieved through the use of chopped and screwed techniques. This creates a sense of melancholic introspection.
Auto-tuned vocals: Yung Lean's vocals are often heavily auto-tuned, which adds to the dreamlike quality of his music.
Introspective lyrics: Cloud rap lyrics often deal with themes of depression, anxiety, alienation, and drug use. This resonates with listeners who are struggling with similar issues.
BEYOND MUSIC: CULTURAL ICON
Yung Lean's influence extends far beyond music. His distinctive visual style, characterised by vaporwave imagery and streetwear influences, played a crucial role in shaping contemporary fashion trends. He seamlessly integrated high-end European brands with American sportswear and streetwear, paving the way for a new era of fashion fusion. His prescient embrace of Y2K aesthetics years before its resurgence further highlights his ability to predict and influence cultural shifts.
EMBRACING MEME CULTURE
What truly sets Yung Lean apart from his contemporaries is his ability to become a meme. While other artists were still grappling with the internet's marketing potential, Yung Lean embraced memes and understood how teenagers navigated social media. This allowed him to maintain relevance for nearly a decade while simultaneously experimenting with diverse sounds and styles. His recent viral success with "Ginseng Strip 2002" on TikTok further underscores his uncanny ability to predict trends and understand the evolving communication landscape of younger generations.
A LEGACY OF INNOVATION
Yung Lean's career serves as a testament to his unwavering creativity and adaptability. From pioneering a new musical genre, cloud rap, to influencing global fashion trends, he has left an undeniable mark on contemporary culture. His ability to consistently stay ahead of the curve, combined with his playful online presence, ensures that his influence will continue to resonate with generations to come.
Yung Lean's impact on the music and fashion landscapes is undeniable. He has redefined artistic expression by blurring the lines between genres and embracing technology. His ability to anticipate and adapt to emerging trends, along with his unique understanding of online communities and meme culture, has cemented his status as a true innovator and a cultural phenomenon. Yung Lean's legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of artists and cultural creators.
leandoer is so talented