Charlotte Hornets: Matching each player to a 2018 rap album

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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 3: Nicolas Batum #5 of the Charlotte Hornets arrives to the arena prior to the game against the Chicago Bulls on April 3, 2018 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Nicolas Batum & Lil Boat II by Lil Yachty

Despite massive success, both have been better.

With his red dreads and beaded hair, Lil Yachty is hip-hop’s poster child for the new wave of rappers. Yachty has a focus on branding himself as an instantly recognizable icon, and tries to carry his star power over to this album. Unfortunately, his cartoonish persona fits the bubblegum pop rap of Lil Boat better than it fits this sequel.

Lil Boat II is Yachty’s attempt to distance himself from what made him successful in the first place. By trying to legitimize himself as a tried and true rapper instead of a fun pop rapper, Yachty struggles to find a place. He’s consistently outshined by his features, and his attempts to slow it down on “she ready” and “love me forever” are pretty disappointing.

Nicolas Batum’s 17-18 season fits this theme perfectly. We’ve seen better, and if he’d just return to that earlier play style, everything would run smoother. Both also saw massive commercial success, as Batum is on a boon of a $24M contract, and Lil Boat II debuted at 2 in the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-hop albums. Of course, part of Batum’s struggles were injury-related, so he can’t be faulted too much. Still, the similarities here are too great too pass up.

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