For some rap artists, the desire to make music is driven by a love for hip-hop and the pursuit of artistic greatness. For others, however, it’s simply a means to quickly accumulate vast riches. In the case of Atlantic Records signee YoungBoy Never Broke Again, the driving motivation behind his decision to pursue a career in rap is more the latter.
“If I’m rapping in 10 years, that means I didn’t do something right,” he told Billboard writer Ryan Pfeffer during an interview that originally appeared in the Jan. 27 issue of the magazine.
According to Pfeffer, the 18-year-old explained that, in an ideal world, he will earn enough money in the coming years to stop rapping entirely.
While some hip-hop fans will read these comments and presumably scoff at his perceived disrespect for the culture, I actually find YoungBoy’s transparency to be both refreshing and sincere—especially considering the Baton Rouge, Louisiana native doesn’t even like the music he’s currently making.
“I’ll make a song and if I do like it, I’ll feel it, but after that 10th play, I don’t like it no more,” YoungBoy told Pfeffer.
It’s too early to make predictions about where YoungBoy will be in 10 years—he hasn’t even released the first of a rumored five-album deal with Atlantic—but if his goal is to get in, earn enough money to support himself and his family, and then get out, the decision shouldn’t be looked down upon.
For many artists, music is merely a stepping stone to other, far greater opportunities in business. If YoungBoy plays his cards right—and stays away from trouble—a second act will be waiting before he turns 30.