Lil Yachty

Let’s be clear: There is nothing small about Lil Yachty. The hip-hop upstart and self-proclaimed “King of Teens” just dropped his debut album, Teenage Emotions, in May, but the 20-year-old rapper is already making big waves—and ruffling feathers. See: a recent interview-turned-meme with rap veteran Joe Budden in which he enraged the elder artist by proclaiming he was “happy every day.” Known for his signature red braids and flat, almost-jerky lyrical style, the young buck has gotten under the skin of some forebears by rejecting rap conventions, but being disruptive can be an asset in the rap game. Just ask Tyler, the Creator. It hasn’t hurt Yachty, if back-to-back shows (one already sold out) at the Wilbur on Aug. 26 are evidence. / Alexandra Cavallo