Yeat
Artist
Noah Olivier Smith (born February 26, 2000), better known by his stage name Yeat, is an American recording artist, producer, and engineer from Lake Oswego, Oregon and based in Los Angeles, California.
In an interview with Our Generation Music, Yeat explained the origins of his stage name, expressing how he wanted a short name that’s recognizable.
I’m not gon' lie, it was kinda just like some high shit. […] It’s like, uh, I just wanted to do something like one word, I don’t know why. And just make it like, like hella simple, and like something kind of relatable like when people hear my name, they feel like they already heard of me type shit.
He began rapping in 2016 under the alias Lil Yeat. Two years following this, his name change from Lil Yeat to Yeat was debuted with the release of his song “Brink!” in mid-2018. After a slew of singles, Yeat released his first EP, Deep Blue Strips, in late 2018. In 2019, Yeat would gain further publicity after “Stay Up,” the lead single off his second project and first mixtape, Wake Up Call, received a music video on the popular YouTube channel ELEVATOR. Yeat released Different Creature, a collaborative EP with Dutch producer Clibbo, on July 18, 2019, to positive feedback. Yeat garnered further attention after dropping his first full-length album, I’m So Me, at the conclusion of the year, collaborating with popular producers like Wheezy, Brandon Finessin, and 10Fifty, among others.
Yeat continued to gain traction throughout 2020, releasing two EPs meant to hold fans over until Different Creature 2. The project was scrapped as he worked through label issues before becoming independent in 2021. Fully in control of his output, Yeat began releasing a barrage of music, including twenty track albums and countless singles. Yeat saw a major jump in support after his songs “Sorry Bout That” and “Dub” blew up on TikTok. Subsequent hits like “Money Twerk” and “Gët Busy” helped reinforce his newfound success.
On August 5, 2021, Yeat released his EP, Trëndi, as a teaser before his debut studio album, Up 2 Më. Released on September 10, 2021, the album was a sleeper hit, eventually peaking at #58 the week of February 19, 2022, on the Billboard 200. Up 2 Më ultimately marked the beginning of Yeat’s upstart in mainstream rap, as icons like Drake began to notice his musical talents.
Yeat released his second studio album, 2 Alivë, on February 18, 2022. Picking up features from rap heavyweights such as Young Thug and Gunna, the album debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 during the week of March 5, 2022. Yeat followed up with a deluxe version of 2 Alivë on April 1, 2022, which included noteworthy features from artists Lil Uzi Vert and East London phenom, Lancey Foux. Continuing the promising start of the year, Yeat scored a song with Illumination Entertainment for the Minions: The Rise of Gru trailer, “Rich Minion,” further adding to his list of accomplishments.
Yeat’s refreshing sound with his volatile vocals, energetic electronic beats, and infectious melodies — even innovation of slang phrases such as “twizzy” and “Tonka” — ensures his spot as one of SoundCloud’s new wave pioneers. Remnant of the early careers of Young Thug and Playboi Carti, his distinctive voice and standout delivery brings an avant-garde sound to the rap scene.
Yeat released his highly anticipated extended play Lyfë, on September 9th 2022, with the single “Talk” preceding the EP a week before. Lyfë has a sole feature from Philadelphia rapper Lil Uzi Vert. Lyfë debuted at #10 on the Billboard Top 200.
