Rapper and songwriter Lil Yachty is taking a step back from the studio and stepping into the beauty world to drop his new gender neutral nail paint line, Crete. Fans are eagerly awaiting its release as its first color is scheduled to drop on May 21.
In a promotional video that was uploaded to Crete’s official Instagram page, Yachty explains,
“I want to encourage the usage of all genders though. All ages, all sizes. If you find painting your nails is a way to show your creative side or it’s an aesthetic that fits you, you shouldn’t be judged for it. The only thing that matters is what you think to yourself. Outside opinions shouldn’t have an affect on your aesthetic or whatever you decide to do.”
While Lil Yachty has been known to rock nail art since he entered the music industry, many fans began to associate the young rapper with the “aesthetic” last year after he spoke out about a high schooler who was suspended for wearing nail polish to school.
The 17-year-old high school senior, Trevor Wilkinson, who identifies as gay, challenged Clyde High School's outdated dress code. Wilkinson put together a petition that ended up getting over 400,000 signatures and landing coverage on Good Morning America.
In the midst of it all, Lil Yachty was asked by a TMZ reporter what his thoughts were on the teens grounds for suspension. It was then that Yachty revealed that he was in the process of creating a unisex nail polish line and adds,
“It’s 2020 about to be 2021. Why do we still have barriers? If someone wants to express themselves in any type of way as long as it’s not harming anyone or bringing anybody down they should be allowed to do so.”
The reporter then asks Yachty, “would you work with this kid?” In which he explains that him and his team were actually planning on reaching out to him personally and emphasizes that he should be allowed to be himself.
Lil Yachty has always faced ridicule for his unapologetic sense of fashion with his red hair and painted nails and many have accused him of being gay or bisexual because of it.
Fans were also quick to assume his sexual identity when he dressed up as Oprah in his music video, Oprah’s Bank Account featuring Drake. A great deal of people attacked him on social media for dressing up and portraying a woman.
Nonetheless, Lil Yachty has never had an issue letting people know exactly who he is while proudly unsubscribing to gender norms. The Atlanta native has spoke up and displayed his support for the LGBTQ community several times including back in 2017 when he wore a rainbow colored grill and displayed a gay couple kissing on the cover of his album, Teenage Emotions.
We at Gaye Magazine appreciate Lil Yachty’s willingness to stand in the heat in order to promote inclusiveness and being true to who you are.
For those interested in supporting Lil Yachty’s nail polish line and rocking some dope nail art, sign up on the Crete website for early access!