Watch Lil Yachty’s SNL performances below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans access to previous SNL episodes.
In his debut as a musical guest on the popular comedy show, the 25-year-old rapper, featured on the cover of Billboard in March, performed two tracks from his recently released Let’s Start Here album, which has a mind-bending psychedelic sound.
Yachty created a swamp-like atmosphere in Studio 8H for his moody nighttime performances of “the BLACK Seminole.” and “drive ME crazy!” with singer-songwriter Diana Gordon and a full band providing backing. During the April 1 episode of SNL, Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson served as host.
Let’s Start Here debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums, and Top Alternative Albums in February and peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Yachty explained that he wanted the album to reflect his journey and give listeners a sense of falling into a void when they press play.
Lil Yachty, whose real name is Miles Parks McCollum, is a 25-year-old rapper, singer, and songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. He first gained popularity in 2015 with his debut single, “One Night,” which went viral on social media. Since then, he has released several successful albums and collaborated with numerous other artists in the music industry.
Yachty’s appearance on Saturday Night Live is notable for his performance and the show’s history of featuring black musicians. SNL has long been a platform for introducing new and diverse musical acts to a broader audience, particularly those from underrepresented communities.
Over the years, SNL has featured performances by iconic black musicians such as James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Beyoncé, among many others.
In recent years, SNL has continued to showcase black musical talent with performances by artists such as Childish Gambino, Travis Scott, and Megan Thee Stallion. These performances have helped to bring attention to black artists‘ unique perspectives and experiences and highlight the ongoing need for more excellent representation and diversity in the music industry.
Lil Yachty’s performance on SNL was a testament to his talent and creativity. It served as a reminder of the critical role that black musicians have played in shaping the cultural landscape of the United States and beyond.