Lil Yachty is back in the spotlight with “Murda,” a brooding solo release that fuses alt-pop sampling, blunt lyricism, and cinematic storytelling. Released on June 6, the track marks Yachty’s first solo single of 2025 and sees him reuniting with long-time creative partner Cole Bennett for another Lyrical Lemonade visual that turns chaos into artistry.
The track is an audacious mashup of sonic textures. Built on a haunting sample of Maggie Rogers’ “Alaska,” the production unfolds like a cold confession. Yachty’s delivery is sharp, almost surgical: “Behind scenes, sht is murder / It is murder, it’s murder / Free my dawg Dee Santi’ out that murder.”* He threads through themes of loyalty, consequence, and control, while tipping his hat to Lil Wayne:
“Real codeine collector, dawg, I sip more drank than Weezy”
In doing so, he balances homage with defiance, signature Yachty.
But “Murda” is more than just a track—it’s an aesthetic movement. Directed by Cole Bennett, the music video is a visceral, genre-bending visual diary. True to form, the shoot feels impromptu and raw, stitched together with handheld realism and deliberate unpredictability. From barren urban landscapes to surreal color grading, it’s another chapter in the pair’s shared visual language—one that began with 2016’s “F**k Up a Sack” and evolved through hits like “Strike (Holster),” “Poland,” and “Sorry Not Sorry.”
Bennett once said of Lil Yachty, “We just know how to make the most out of a little bit.” It’s a sentiment that continues to define their output. The “Murda” video, like its predecessors, feels both off-the-cuff and hyper-curated—high-budget ideas with DIY attitude. Whether they’re filming in a backyard, a garage, or sprinting through city streets, the chemistry is palpable.
Strategically timed, “Murda” drops just ahead of Yachty’s highly anticipated set at the 2025 Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash on June 22. Sharing the bill with hip-hop heavyweights like Young Thug, Quavo, NAV, and G Herbo, the performance is poised to cement Yachty’s continued relevance in a post-mumble-rap era. It also signals a full-circle moment in his collaboration with Bennett, with Lyrical Lemonade not just serving as a visual partner, but a platform for cultural redefinition.
Beyond Summer Smash, Yachty is slated to hit the global stage as part of Tyler, The Creator’s “CHROMAKOPIA: THE WORLD TOUR,” wrapping in September with a final performance in Perth, Australia. With “Murda” already making waves, the timing is pristine: a fresh sonic statement as he steps into another whirlwind season.
“Murda” isn’t just a return—it’s a reminder. Yachty doesn’t follow trends. He twists them. He blurs genre lines, questions visual norms, and maintains the rare ability to provoke without losing polish. This isn’t a radio single designed for algorithmic playlists. It’s an experience, wrapped in distortion and dripping with intent.
And if this is just the first release of 2025, the rest of the year may get louder, weirder, and far more interesting.
