You’ve definitely heard the name Lil Yachty. Maybe you know him as the guy with the cherry-red beads from the SoundCloud era, or perhaps you’ve been spinning his latest psychedelic rock record. But if you’re sitting there wondering what is lil yachty's real name, you’re actually tapping into a much deeper story than just a piece of trivia.
The man behind the "Lil Boat" persona is Miles Parks McCollum.
It’s a name that sounds more like a law firm partner than a Grammy-nominated experimental artist. Born on August 23, 1997, in Mableton, Georgia, Miles didn’t exactly have the typical "straight-to-the-top" trajectory. In fact, before the world knew him as Yachty, he was just another kid in the Atlanta suburbs trying to figure out how to be anything other than ordinary.
From Miles McCollum to the Birth of Lil Boat
Most people think success happened overnight for Miles. It didn’t.
Back in 2015, Miles was a student at Alabama State University. Honestly, he hated it. He felt like the school system was a relic of the past, stuck in a loop that didn’t fit his creative brain. He lasted about two months before dropping out—a move that usually leads to a "living in your parents' basement" scenario, but Miles had other plans.
He moved to New York City with basically nothing. He worked at McDonald’s to keep the lights on while networking with fashion influencers on Instagram. This is where the Lil Yachty real name vs. stage name distinction really started to matter. He adopted the "Yachty" moniker while joining a group called the Yacht Club. It wasn’t just a name; it was a brand he was building before he even had a hit song.
The Viral Spark
The transition from Miles to Yachty went nuclear when "One Night" blew up. You remember that song? It was used in a viral comedy video, and suddenly, the kid who was flipping burgers was the face of a new "bubblegum trap" movement.
Why the Lil Yachty Real Name Still Matters in 2026
You might ask why it matters what his birth certificate says. In the music industry, your real name represents your "legal" self—the one that signs the massive contracts and owns the masters. For Miles Parks McCollum, his real identity has become a symbol of his evolution from a "mumble rapper" (a label he always disliked) to a serious musical visionary.
In 2023, he released Let's Start Here, an album that threw the rap playbook out the window. It was pure psychedelic rock. If you haven't heard "the BLACK seminole," go listen to it right now. It sounds like Pink Floyd met a drum machine in a fever dream. By using his platform to pivot so drastically, Miles showed that Lil Yachty was just a character, but the artistry belonged to McCollum.
Miles McCollum: The Executive
By 2026, Miles has matured into a full-blown mogul. He’s the founder of Concrete Rekordz, an imprint under Quality Control. Through his collective, the Concrete Boys, he’s helping other artists like Draft Day and Camo! find their footing.
- Birth Name: Miles Parks McCollum
- Birthplace: Mableton, Georgia
- Business Ventures: Concrete Rekordz, Crep Protect collaborations, and various fashion partnerships.
- Key Fact: He actually doesn’t smoke or drink, despite the "trippy" vibes of his recent music.
Common Misconceptions About Miles
Kinda funny, but a lot of people used to think he was from Michigan because of his Michigan Boy Boat mixtape. He’s Georgia through and through, but his "ear" for different regional sounds is what makes him Miles. He’s a curator. He doesn't just make music; he builds "worlds" for his albums, a tip he famously got from Tyler, The Creator.
Another weird rumor? Some people think he’s related to every other rapper with "Lil" in their name. Nope. Miles is an original. He’s also faced his fair share of legal headaches—like those SEC and SafeMoon lawsuits back in 2022 and 2023—which remind fans that even superstars have to deal with the "real world" side of being Miles McCollum.
The Future of the Name
Whether he's modeling for Yeezy or acting in How High 2, the name Miles Parks McCollum is now synonymous with versatility. He’s proven that you can start at McDonald's and end up at the top of the Billboard charts by being exactly who you want to be.
If you’re looking to follow in the footsteps of Miles' career path, the biggest takeaway is his willingness to take risks. He didn't stay in the "bubblegum trap" box because it was safe. He blew the box up.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of his newer, experimental sound, check out his collaborative project with James Blake, Bad Cameo. It’s a masterclass in how a real name—and a real artist—can transcend the labels the internet tries to put on them.