NEWS
Lil Yachty has flexed his financial muscle in attempt to prove that he is indeed “richer than your favorite rapper.”
The Atlanta native made the audacious claim on his latest single “Hate Me,” a collaboration with the controversial suburban white rapper Ian that dropped last Friday (July 26).
“Know I’m richer than your favorite rapper / If I’m not, then, God, kill my momma,” he rapped.
Yachty’s outlandish boast raised eyebrows, with one listener posting a screenshot of his reported $8 million net worth and comparing it to that of Kendrick Lamar ($90 million) and Playboi Carti ($20 million).
After raising one account on X (formerly Twitter) posted screenshots of Yachty’s purported net worth from a variety of sources which detailed figures as wide as $8 million to $90 million.
“[D]amn he willingly jumped on that crack both feet,” the user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that Yachty was on drugs when he rapped his verse.
In response, Yachty flexed his financial muscle by replying: “i made 8 million in my first 8 months of rappin in 2016 on god.”
He then criticized fans for going off unsubstantiated online articles: “yall be letting this internet guide yall. in real life shit is different i’m tellin u.”
Lil Yachty had previously teased his collaboration with Ian which resulted in him facing backlash from fans.
Ian is a white teenage rapper from Dallas who dresses in a college prep style but raps like an Atlanta trap artist. He’s become something of a viral star in recent months thanks to his song “Figure It Out,” the video for which features a cameo from NFL legend Marshawn Lynch (who is mentioned on the track).
Critics were quick to point out that Yachty himself had criticized the state of Hip Hop, claiming that the quality of the music has declined.
“Hip Hop is in a terrible place,” he said at a Rolling Stone even last year. “The state of Hip Hop right now is a lot of imitation. It’s a lot of quick, low-quality music being put out.”
He continued: “It’s a lot less risk-taking, it’s a lot less originality. People are too safe now. Everyone is so safe. I rather take the risk than take the L.”
NEWS
Burna Boy gave fans an exclusive look inside one of the most important performances of his career, with Billboard there to capture the entire experience.
For a new Billboard video diary, the versatile musician walks viewers through his full routine as he got ready for the first FIFA World Cup Final halftime show on Sunday. The footage begins with his police escorted arrival and continues through the excitement of walking onto the field at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. It offers an honest look at everything that happened before and after the major performance.
Throughout the day, Burna enjoys several unforgettable encounters. He takes pictures with Shakira, his collaborator on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem “Dai Dai.” The pair performed the track during Sunday’s halftime show, while it remains at the top of the Billboard Global 200 for a second week and leads the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart for a fourth week. Burna also catches up with streamer iShowSpeed, shares a hug with Justin Bieber and meets Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, who surprised the audience by introducing Bieber. Once the greetings are over, Burna fits in one last rehearsal before heading out to perform.
The footage continues as Burna walks onto the field and joins the celebration. He looks thrilled when the set concludes, making his way through the players’ tunnel and returning backstage. There, he receives compliments from Chris Martin, who organized the halftime show and helped write the finale song “We Dance” alongside his Coldplay bandmates.
Watch Burna Boy’s complete Day in the Life video through Billboard below.
