Yung Lean facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yung Lean
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Yung Lean in 2024
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| Birth name | Jonatan Aron Leandoer Håstad |
| Also known as | jonatan leandoer96, jonatan leandoer127 |
| Born | 18 July 1996 Stockholm, Sweden |
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| Years active | 2012–present |
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Jonatan Aron Leandoer Håstad (born July 18, 1996), known as Yung Lean, is a rapper from Sweden. He is famous for being one of the first artists in the cloud rap music style. Yung Lean became well-known in 2013 with his song "Ginseng Strip 2002". This song became very popular online.
Later in 2013, he released his first mixtape, Unknown Death 2002. The next year, he put out his first studio album, Unknown Memory. In 2016, Yung Lean released another mixtape, Frost God, and his second album, Warlord. His third album, Stranger, came out in 2017. He also released the mixtape Poison Ivy in 2018.
Yung Lean's fourth studio album, Starz, was released in 2020. He also makes music under the name Jonatan Leandoer96. With this name, he explores different music styles like indie rock and neofolk. Some albums released under this name include Nectar (2019), Blodhundar & Lullabies (2020), and Sugar World (2023).
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Jonatan Håstad was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on July 18, 1996. His father, Kristoffer Leandoer, is a poet and author. His mother, Elsa Håstad, used to work as a human rights activist.
Jonatan spent some of his early childhood in Minsk, Belarus. His family later moved back to Stockholm, Sweden, when he was young. He grew up in the Södermalm area of the city. Jonatan became interested in hip hop music early on. He was inspired by artists like 50 Cent, The Latin Kings, and Nas.
Forming Sad Boys
In 2012, Håstad met Yung Sherman and Gud in a park in Stockholm. They became friends because they liked the same music. They first formed a group called Hasch Boys.
When other members of Hasch Boys lost interest, Håstad, Sherman, and Gud started their own group called "Sad Boys." By 2012, Yung Gud and Yung Sherman were making music beats. Håstad started writing lyrics and recording songs in his basement. They shared their music on SoundCloud and Tumblr. This helped Yung Lean gain many fans. Sad Boys played their first live show in Gothenburg, Sweden, on May 5, 2013.
Yung Lean's Music Career
Yung Lean became very famous when the music video for his song "Ginseng Strip 2002" went viral. In 2013, he released his first official music. This included the single Marble Phone (with Kreayshawn), the mixtape Unknown Death 2002, and an EP called Lavender. The Lavender EP included "Ginseng Strip 2002."
Vibe magazine listed Unknown Death 2002 as one of the "10 Most Overlooked Debut Rap Mixtapes of 2013." They said it had a "keen sense of melody." In 2013, Yung Lean and Sad Boys went on a music tour across Europe.
Touring and New Albums
In 2014, Yung Lean and Sad Boys went on the White Marble Tour in Europe. After that, they announced the Black Marble Tour, which included shows in North America. Their first show in North America was in July at Webster Hall in New York City. This show was praised by magazines like XXL and The New York Times.
Yung Lean released his first full-length album, Unknown Memory, on September 23, 2014. He then went on tours in North America and Europe to support the album.
His second full-length album, Warlord, came out on February 25, 2016. He also launched his own clothing line called "Sad Boys Entertainment." In July 2016, Håstad modeled for Calvin Klein's fashion campaign. He also sang backup vocals on two songs for Frank Ocean's album Blonde.
On December 14, 2016, he released the mixtape Frost God. This mixtape had eight songs, including "Hennessy & Sailor Moon" and "Crystal City," which featured A$AP Ferg.
Recent Music and Projects
Håstad's third studio album, Stranger, was released on November 10, 2017. It included singles like "Red Bottom Sky" and "Hunting My Own Skin."
In February 2018, Yung Lean released the song "King Cobra" with Thaiboy Digital. He also worked with Converse to create a special shoe and clothing collection. On November 2, 2018, Håstad released his third mixtape, Poison Ivy. This album was a collaboration with Whitearmor.
On January 25, 2019, Yung Lean released his first full album as Jonatan Leandoer96, called Nectar. This album showed a different side of his music, blending indie rock and neofolk.
On February 26, 2020, Yung Lean released the song "Boylife in EU." His fourth studio album, Starz, came out on May 15, 2020. The album was produced by Whitearmor and Yung Sherman.
On November 9, 2020, Yung Lean announced his second Jonatan Leandoer96 album, "Blodhundar & Lullabies." This 16-song album was released on December 21.
A documentary called Yung Lean: In My Head premiered in cinemas on November 27, 2020. It tells the story of Leandoer's early career.
On April 8, 2022, Yung Lean released a 12-song mixtape called "Stardust." It featured artists like FKA twigs and Skrillex. On December 14, 2022, he released the song "Blue Light" as Jonatan Leandoer96. This announced his album Sugar World, which came out on February 3, 2023.
Yung Lean was featured on the song "Parasail" from Travis Scott's album Utopia in July 2023. He released Psykos, a collaborative album with Bladee, on March 13, 2024. He also appeared on a remix of Charli XCX's song "360" in May 2024.
In November 2024, it was announced that Yung Lean would appear in the upcoming film Sacrifice. He also stated that he would release future music through his own label, World Affairs. Yung Lean announced his fifth studio album, Jonatan, for January 21, 2025.
Yung Lean's Artistic Style
XXL magazine included Yung Lean in their 2014 list of "15 European Rappers You Should Know." Fact magazine described his mixtape Unknown Death 2002 as having "thick, melancholy numbers that drip with a rare and earnest allure." They also called it "the epitome of sad rap."
Yung Lean's music is often linked to the cloud rap movement. His producers, Yung Gud and Yung Sherman, mix cloud rap with electronic music sounds.
Yung Lean is also the singer for the post-punk band Död Mark. He is in this band with fellow Sad Boys member Gud. Their first album, Drabbad av Sjukdom, was released in 2016.
Personal Life
Håstad enjoys many hobbies, including reading, making ceramics, painting, writing, and playing the piano. He started painting as a way to relax. In 2019, Håstad shared that he has bipolar disorder. He was diagnosed in 2017 and takes medication for his condition.
Recognition and Awards
Yung Lean is recognized for being a pioneer in the emo rap, cloud rap, and SoundCloud rap music styles. In 2019, he received the Bram Stoker Medal of Cultural Achievement from the University Philosophical Society at Trinity College, Dublin.
Discography
- Studio albums
- Unknown Memory (2014)
- Warlord (2016)
- Stranger (2017)
- Starz (2020)
- Psykos (2024) (with Bladee)
- Mixtapes
- Unknown Death 2002 (2013)
- Frost God (2016)
- Poison Ivy (2018)
- Stardust (2022)
