Lil Baby on Mental Health Struggles, Young Thug, Lil Durk & ‘Dead Fresh’

Ahead of his new album “Fresh,” out Nov. 6, the Atlanta rap superstar Lil Baby sat down with Joe and Jon to chat about the project — including his recent Pharrell-produced single “Dead Fresh” — and how it marks a new chapter for him as he expands from his regular circle of local producers and dips into the broader pop universe. He also spoke about relationships with Lil Durk, Drake and Gunna; how fame and success can shrink your world; the plights of his generational peers; and learning to work outside of his comfort zone. Popcast is The New York Times’s weekly pop culture chat show, with interviews and analysis from the critic Jon Caramanica and the reporter Joe Coscarelli. Follow Jon:   / joncaramanica     / joncaramanica   Follow Joe:   / joecoscarelli     / joecoscarelli   Listen to every Popcast ever https://www.nytimes.com/popcast Discover the journalism Times subscribers get daily, free for your first month in The New York Times app. Download app: https://nytimes.onelink.me/Xpht/a6wzplra