“I don’t want to be some cookie-cutter rapper talking about gold watches and misogynistic shit, right, I mean I think we’ve had enough of that in our music and society. I think that we can build more,” states podcast guest, That Yung Lad.

By Anna Randall

Episode 35 of the Unsugarcoated with Aalia podcast with host, Aalia Lanius, features guest rapper, songwriter, and recording artist, That Young Lad; also known as TYL (‘till’). With the recent release of his debut album, TYL The Wheels Fall Off, TYL keeps it real by focusing on topics such as poverty, racism, and white privilege in his work. He uses his voice to represent the “underdog,” people who don’t get the recognition they deserve.  

“Normalizing being wrong, just in general, would be a good thing for this world and humanity but specifically as it pertains to white people”

As TYL moves through his career as a white rapper, he is often met with skepticism before and amazement after he starts to rap. His work addresses the question of seeing things from a white perspective; can white people not see certain oppressive trauma because they are white and privileged? TYL makes sure his listeners know that it’s important to recognize that personal experiences are vastly different based on different aspects such as race, gender, and ethnicity.  

“Everything in this life is political,” TYL conveys. 

The two dive deeper and discuss the current controversy of politics in the sports world. TYL says that “people are selectively viewing the history that they want to.” When looking back at history, sports have always been entwined with politics; the 1936 Olympics during Hitler’s reign being one example TYL offers. Although he recognizes that a lot of people turn to sports as an escape from politics, others do not have this privilege in their lives. It’s through his music that he vocalizes the need to recognize privilege and promote empathy. 

“This is my passion, this is what I love,” TYL remarks about his music. 

TYL’s journey to becoming a rap artist was not an easy mental feat. Often overwhelmed by anxiety and fear, TYL explains that these emotions are also what fuel his drive to create. He has learned that only HE can push himself to build confidence and achieve his dreams. 

“It’s kinda up to you, in the end, to empower yourself,” TYL reflects. 

Check out the FULL episode NOW:

Sending a large thank you to House of Kings Card Club for sponsoring this episode and supporting non-profit organizations!

Listen to TYL’s Debut Album HERE!

Connect with That Yung Lad 

IG: @thatyunglad

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thatyunglad

Website: https://www.thatyunglad.com/

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