Inspiration, innovator, symbol, concept: the impact and legacy of Yung Lean

By Maria Skupińska, graphic by Martyna Zbucka

‘Bitches come and go, brah, but you know I stay’- these lyrics, accompanied by an atmospheric, lo-fi beat, took over TikTok back in 2022. The sudden rediscovery of ‘Ginseng Strip 2002’- the source of the viral audio- almost a decade after its initial release reveals a story of a creator whose far- reaching impact, fueled by authenticity and creativity, vastly surpasses temporary trends and continuously transcends the boundaries of the industry: Yung Lean.

Jonatan Leandoer Håstad, known professionally as Yung Lean, first gained recognition in 2013 upon the release of his debut single, the aforementioned ‘Ginseng Strip 2002’, and has since then maintained immense artistic prolificity. His unconventional approach to all the track components, ranging from vocals to the visual effects, was seen as so profoundly abnormal it was refused to be taken seriously in select spheres, unambigously labeling him as a ‘meme rapper’. Even in spite of this, the Swedish teenager, together with his ‘Sadboys’ collective, managed a breakthrough onto the American hip-hop scene- an achievement only a few other European rappers could boast about.

The exceptionality of Lean’s work is vividly noticeable in the every constituent, from its inception to the execution. By entwining the universally translated pop culture elements- such as anime or video games- into the rich tapestry of diverse musical influences derived from genres as varied as The Cure’s introsceptive and emotional themes to Lil B’s ethereal beats, the artist created a space to operate on a broad array of free associations, which he transferred onto his work through his own unique perception and accordance with personal preferences. As a result, his body of work is enriched both with substantial familiarity and fresh, original thought.

Despite the genre- defying nature of Håstad’s work, his songs still resonate with the audience as the timeless anthems of cloud rap- a subgenre of hip-hop defined by the heavy use of digital sampling blended with ethereal, ambient beats. The emergence of the genre sharply polarised public opinion, mainly due to the dissemination of auto- tuned vocals- a practice unwelcome back in the 2010s. Maintaining the practice of introsceptive lyricism, Yung Lean set it as another definitive quality of the genre, exploring themes of loneliness, depression and drug use. His open embracement of vulnerability marked a milestone in the music industry, bearing a powerful appeal to the internet generation yearning for emotional authenticity and the branch coloquially referred as ‘sad emo rap’, as the echoes of Lean’s legacy reverberate in the work of artists such as Juice WRLD and Lil Peep.

While his profound influence on hip- hop is an evident demonstration of Yung Lean’s multifaced creativity, his expansive range of inspirations shaped his work to branch multidimentionally, exploring different genres and appearing under several aliases related to his side projects. Partnering with a fellow member of the ‘Sadboys’- Yung Gud- he explored punk influences through Död Mark- a band recognisable by heavy, distorted tracks accompanied by raw vocals. On the opposite end, he launched a solo project as jonatan leandoer69, featuring pop- oriented tracks with steady guitar riffs as a backdrop to personal, emotional lyrics reflecting his artistic maturity and growth.

Lean’s distinct identity and self- definition rose beyond his music; it shaped an unrepeatable visual image that permeated the internet, particularly during Tumblr’s prime in the 2010s. ‘Sadboys’ became immediantely associated with Arizona Iced Tea, bucket hats and the Y2K cyber aesthetic, imprinting a vivid imagery into the public consciousness and perpetuating the collective’s influcence on a generation of internet subcultures.

What amplifies the phenomenal nature of his music is its organic rise to prominence, without a support of a major label. Produced by Yung Sherman and Yung Gud, the tracks became a representation of the integral values and creative vision, retaining a collective united with mutual inspiration and genuine bonds that remained unshaken despite the demanding nature of the industry.

Yung Lean’s genuineness, genre- defying creativity, and commitment to his values have solidified his timeless reputation of a cultural phenomenon. Over the course of his career, he evolved from the experimental approach of ‘Unknown Death 2002’ and ‘Unknown Memory’ to the vulnerable, revealing nature of ‘Stranger’ and ultimately to a fusion of his side projects and influences in ‘Starz’ and ‘Stardust’, incontestably leaving behind the ‘meme rapper’ label. His innovative style and unmistakable visual aesthetics have garnered a dedicated, although niche, circle od admirers, due to their revolutionary yet contentious nature. Recently, Lean announced the release of his fifth studio album, ‘Jonatan’, slated for spring 2025, marking yet another unique chapter in his ever-evolving journey.

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