Fuck Norms: In Defense of Yung Lean

White man here reporting for duty; I’m going to defend another white man.

Psych. This isn't really that. It’s not really a defense of Yung Lean himself because trying to legitimize an artist’s importance is a simp move that never changed anyone’s mind ever. This is more of an exploration of the critiques lobbed against him in critical reviews I feel aren't relevant, and to explain why I like him. Wait, that’s what defense means, right? Welp! Too late. I don’t know how to edit this Medium shit yet. Onward, we press. I don’t expect anyone’s opinion to morph after reading this. So, why even write it at all? I’m supposed to be working right now, and, well, doing that is out of the question.

I’ve loved Yung Lean since I first heard “Ginseng Strip 2002.” He is one of my favorite rappers, and it isn't because I fucking love memes (because I do, the danker the better). It isn't because irony. It isn’t because I’m a troll.

There are gold nuggets of earnest emotion hidden underneath the roaring river of Sad Boys tears. It is buried among the lush instrumental sediment and the Auto-Tuned gravel. It takes a little mining, a little panning, a little patience, but once you find them, boy golly gee, it is rewarding. That simple sincerity is why I love Lil B. It’s why I love Chief Keef. One lyric like “I’m gone like my father,” (from Lil B’s Secrete Third Verse on “Wonton Soup”) carries more weight than an entire Pusha T album.

This review from Wondering Sound says the following:

At any rate, there’s something both remarkable and off-putting about a white kid from Sweden trying to rap like Gucci Mane and calling himself Yung Lean.

Yung Lean calling himself “Yung Lean” is off-putting, but his name is Leandoer. Yes, that is right. Leandoer (and his original rap name) is a part of his legal, Swedish government name. As rappers are known to do, they’ll take their names or nicknames and add a modifier: young, lil, big, old, etc. If your last name was Leandoer, and you aren’t a rapper then you obviously failed at recognizing your true path in life. Why would you not name yourself Yung Lean?

He goes on to say, “His newfound introspective platitudes feel emptier and no more personal than his old, jokey non-sequiturs about video games and Pokemon.” These introspective platitudes are not newfound. They have been present since the very beginning; you just weren’t paying attention, or too busy trying to figure out what Pokemon Lotion is.

Off the top of my head (and because I have to get back to work eventually) I can think of the following.

From “Die With Me”:

Make your presence felt, what they know about me?
See me in the streets, there’s a show around me.
Keep my boys around me, keep the blow behind me
Wanna make every one happy. Ain’t no sad about me.

People know Yung Lean, but what do they know about him? Wanting to be successful and making your friends successful by extension is the American Dream.

I don’t give a fuck about nothing
When I look in the mirror all I see is nothing
I wouldn’t even be pissed if she left me

Yung Lean admitting he is a piece of shit, but has a girl who sticks with him, and sees things in him that he doesn’t. He can’t even believe he’s worthy to be with her.

From “Lemonade”

Y’all think I’m so weird, I ain’t really human I’m revered
Couldn’t give less fucks about my career
Posted in a spaceship showing no fear
No one heard about Lean a month ago, ago
I was in my bedroom making music, yo
I make no sense, I make nonsense
Should’ve played it in their face from the window of my Benz

Perhaps the largest singular chunk of self-awareness and realness from Lean. Lean was having fun with music. It’s not his fault The Internet found him and broadcast him to the world. He was just making music in his bedroom, and wasn’t giving thought to what people might think of his “expertly crafted and curated” image. Whether or not he himself is admitting he makes no sense/nonsense or this is a mimic of what critics say about him, it’s hard to interpret. But, that last line is such a wondrous rap stunt. “Oh, I’m a joke? Is this $100K vehicle a joke?”.

Shawty ain’t gonna slide through? How the fuck I’m gonna die for her?

Without a doubt, my favorite single lyric. It’s simple and beautiful. He adores a girl he has yet to meet — so much so that he is already willing to die for her. However, if she won’t even give him the time of day, how will he ever be able to devote himself to her? Tragic. I’m crying Arizona tears right now.

From “Kyoto”:

Too weird for them other fuck boys

Lean is aware that he is, in fact, an outsider, a weirdo. He understands that most people aren’t going to like him because they don’t understand him.

I don’t see how you can listen to “Yoshi City” and find these “platitudes” empty.

I’m nervous that she’s so upset
She don’t want me, bitch I’m flustered
I’m an aristocrat without the progress
Roses all on her wedding dress, blood from my mouth, I’m a mess
…
Got my heart next to my phone
Do or die? I’m stupid high
Lonely nights, finna sacrifice
Fuck your life, I need mine

Lean recounting the sacrifice he’s made, and the pain that came with it, to not lead a normal life. Does he text her? Can he live without her? Will it all be worth it? “Got my heart next to my phone. Do or die? I’m stupid high” is such a gorgeous lyric, a modern “To be or not to be” for this generation.

Anthony Fantano (one of those aforementioned people Yung Lean is too weird for) harps on Lean’s meme status. Does Yung Lean being a “meme” negate his art? No. Whatever mystique, whatever image, whatever aesthetic Lean created as an extension of his rapping is art. The songs are art. Everything is art. Why does art have to contribute to, or push forward, the genre in groundbreaking new ways? Can art not simply exist in the continuum? Of course, it can! That’s why we will forever have “Tipsy” by J-Kwon. Lean isn’t trying to turn rap music on its head; he’s simply making art with a Swedish accent.

As far as pushing “the genre” forward, is deemphasizing lyrics by mixing them so they fall into the crevices of downtrodden bliss soundscapes, and emphasizing mood with melodies and garbled Auto-Tuned not something new or different?

As far as his “barely structured songs,” why does a rap song have to have an intro/16/chorus/16/break/chorus/16/outro? Why can’t a rap song just have a chorus, an 8-bar verse and then repeat the chorus nine times? Music is nothing but made-up sounds anyways. If anything, fluidly-structured songs could be pushing the genre forward… Fuck norms.

Also, putting your hands in loaves of bread and eating it isn't a “meme.” It’s fucking stupid.

Pitchfork points out his failing “blatant” imitations, and I don’t believe Lean sets out with a “On this song we are going to copy this thing” mindset. You gravitate to what you like, and you’ll try to make what you like.

His new album, Unknown Memory, is reminiscent of the second season of “Jersey Shore”, where it slowly became clear that the cast was in on the joke.

What’s crucial to remember when viewing Lean is that he was a teen emulating what he loved (we all did it) and was having fun. Then when he was met with unexpected stardom, he realized he could perhaps make this a serious career. “I had to start over to begin,” Lean admits on “Sunrise Angel.” Unknown Memory is him attempting to be legitimate. It’s obviously more mature and polished, but he has a long way to go. We learned about Lean in April of last year. He’s had 17 months of a career. It’s not that he’s in on the “joke,” (I don’t think this was ever a joke [unlike Krispy Kreme]) but he’s realizing what people want from him and battling what he’s capable of giving them.

“Used to be a hobby, now it’s all I think about. That’s what rap does.”
— Yung Lean, “Monster”

Is Unknown Memory good? Sort of. I’m not blinded by its failings. I walked away liking it but feeling somewhat disappointed. I really don’t care if it gets a 3.6 or a 4 (I think those are fair, if not slightly harsh, assessments) or an 8 or a 10. Ratings are subjective, and they don’t impact anything, much like this essay. I've wasted all of our time here.

Yes, we should evaluate Lean’s whiteness in the hip-hop pantheon, and examine how that has given him premature media attention. Yes, we should ask ourselves to what extent this is appropriation. Yes, we should question everything ever. But, at the end of the day, he’s a teen making rap music. He’s trying to not only figure out his place, but his path. Right now, he’s on a roller coaster ride, and he’s loving it.

“Bumping RZA, eating pizza. Man, I’m living my dreams.”
— Yung Lean, “Kyoto”