Lil Uzi Vert: The Rockstar of Hip Hop
Symere Woods, known professionally as Lil Uzi Vert, is an American rapper and songwriter from Philadelphia who has taken the music industry by storm. Since coming onto the scene in the mid 2010s with a uniquely melodic style and persona, Lil Uzi Vert has become one of contemporary hip hop’s most recognizable new voices. Between his signature face tattoos, punk rock influences and leaks-driven cult following, Uzi has blazed his own trail to superstardom.
Introduction to Lil Uzi Vert
Born Symere Woods on July 31, 1994 in North Philadelphia, Lil Uzi Vert grew up immersed in music from an early age. He got his peculiar stage name jokingly from a high school classmate saying he rapped too fast – like a mini uzi firearm. While attending a technical college to get a graphic design degree in 2013, Uzi began recording and releasing early music online freestyling over industry beats.
As his stylish appearance and dynamic sound captured fans’ attention online, Uzi dropped out of college to pursue rapping full-time. He self-released his debut mixtape Purple Thoughtz Vol. 1 in 2014 followed by seminal early projects Luv is Rage in 2015 and Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World in 2016. These catapulted Uzi into mainstream notoriety with singles like “Money Longer” and “You Was Right”. Over the next year Uzi landed major features on Billboard Hot 100 hits “Bad and Boujee” along with tracks with Gucci Mane, Wiz Khalifa and of course “XO Tour Llif3” immortalizing his emo rockstar image.
Uzi’s debut studio album Luv is Rage 2 arrived in 2017 debuting at #1 and cementing his star power. It unleashed new viral smashes like “The Way Life Goes” fueling anticipation for the eagerly awaited Eternal Atake in 2020 after years in label limbo. Despite his unorthodox sound, Uzi’s style has largely shaped the direction of hip hop in the years since towards more melodic and emotive territory. As much as his flamboyant persona, tireless work ethic and cultish fan devotion built around consistent new music keep Uzi at rap’s forefront.
Lil Uzi Vert Discography
In just under a decade, Lil Uzi Vert has compiled an extensive catalog of albums, mixtapes, EPs and non-album singles along with a wealth of collaborations and features. Here is an overview:
Studio Albums
Luv Is Rage 2 – 2017 – Grammy-nominated debut album, peaked #1 on Billboard 200
Eternal Atake – 2020 – Hotly anticipated #1 sophomore album after years of delays
Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2 – 2022 – Surprise third studio album
Mixtapes
The Real Uzi – 2014 – First mixtape repacking early tracks and freestyles
Luv is Rage – 2015 – Breakthrough acclaimed debut solo commercial mixtape
Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World – 2016 – Follow up solo mixtape with more singles
The Perfect Luv Tape – 2016 – Third traditional solo tape with trio of hit tracks
EPs
Purple Thoughtz Vol. 1 – 2014 –Debut solo project compiling early rap experiments
Non-Album Singles
- “XO Tour Llif3” – 2017 – Quintessential emo hip hop crossover smash about toxic relationships
- “Free Uzi” – 2020 – Surprise comeback two-song EP after Eternal Atake delays
Notable Features & Collaborations
- Migos – “Bad and Boujee” – 2016 – Uzi’s breakout verse on #1 hit sparking label bidding war
- Playboi Carti – “Wokeuplikethis*” – Viral 2017 loosie with frequent creative partner
- Future – “Free Uzi” – 2020 – Epic collab signaling Uzi’s return to music
Beyond them, Uzi has worked extensively with fellow peers like Young Thug, Lil Yachty, NAV, Juice WRLD and appeared on tracks alongside Travis Scott, Doja Cat, The Weeknd along with an ever-expanding repertoire of features cementing himself as one of this era’s most sought after artists.
Musical Style & Influences
Lil Uzi Vert’s style balances contrasting components – minimalist trap beats, distorted vocals almost functioning as synths themselves along with choruses ranging from beautiful frank melody to primal screeches. Lyrically he tends to focus on relationship troubles, material excess, self-medication and depression in a raw, unfiltered stream-of-consciousness.
Interviews describe Uzi as a longtime hardcore rock music fan, frequently bringing up bands like Marilyn Manson, Paramore and My Chemical Romance which heavily influence his chaotic image, depressive themes and avant-garde artistry. His rap flows often resemble more melodic sung verses in structure with scholars like New Yorker writer Carrie Battan coining the term “melodic rap” to describe pioneers like Uzi expanding traditional hip hop composition.
As for direct rap influences, Lil Uzi Vert regularly cites mentors Pharrell Williams and Wiz Khalifa who assisted his early career. He also paid tribute to Atlanta originators Gucci Mane and Young Thug helping birth his embellished style. Over the years Uzi has clearly savvily bridged hip hop and modern rock attitudes to stand out from any regional scene.
Labels & Record Deals
With a high demand for his music early on, Lil Uzi Vert has been associated with a number of record labels and imprints over his journey to superstardom:
Generation Now – Signing to DJ Drama’s Atlantic Records imprint in 2016 after skating by on Soundcloud early on. Initial platform and support to break through commercially.
Atlantic Records – Direct signing after Luv is Rage put Uzi in a heated bidding war among majors.
As of 2020, he re-signed a management deal with industry mogul Roc Nation for touring, brand deals and releases moving forward into eventual icon status.
Collaborations & Key Relationships
Beyond high-profile featured verses, Lil Uzi Vert has formed close creative partnerships with certain artists who share similar visions:
Playboi Carti – Two key innovators of punk/emo-infused trap, collaborating on loosies like “Wokeuplikethis*” and 2019 hit “Throw It Up” among other unreleased tracks.
Young Thug – Early co-sign and mentor to Uzi. The two Atlanta artists represent changing definitions of rappers, bonding over rule-breaking artistry
Future – Veteran ATLien rap star has taken Uzi under his wing more recently, appearing together on tracks “Over Your Head”, “Heart in Pieces” and inspiring Uzi creatively
Internet Money – Frequent collaborations with rap collective/production crew composed of producers Taz Taylor, Nick Mira, Juice WRLD and Iann Dior yields consistent catchy pop crossovers
Uzi maintains close ties touring and working in studio with many contemporary stars and buzzing newcomers as rap’s landscape continues to feel his influence.
Lil Uzi Vert Tours & Concerts
As his platform has grown into household name status thanks to streaming and virality, Uzi has embarked on multiple nationwide headlining tours across arenas:
Lil Uzi Vert’s World Tour – 2018 – First major tour across North America and select dates in Europe
Eternal Atake Tour – 2021 – Long delayed arena tour supporting latest album after pandemic, features support from rising stars like Playboi Carti, Chief Keef, TV Johnny and Blackbear
Uzi also regularly appears at major festivals like Rolling Loud and touring hip hop package shows like 2018’s Smokers Club Tour with big-name rappers from Wiz Khalifa to Rae Sremmurd. Performances capture his rockstar persona with fans screaming every lyric.
Lil Uzi Vert Personal Life
Away from music, Lil Uzi Vert keeps his off-stage life relatively private but here are some personal details that emerged publicly over the years:
Family – He has one brother named Dain who has served prison time. Uzi also pays respects to his late great-grandmother frequently mentioning her influence.
Relationships – Uzi famously dated prominent media figure Brittany Byrd for years on-and-off, sparking engagement rumors at points.
Health – A mysterious 2020 emergency surgery revealed later as for a life-threatening abscess affecting Uzi’s general life quality and ability to record for periods
Interests – An anime superfan, Uzi sports forehead diamond referencing popular series Naruto. He also enjoys video games like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto.
Despite tabloid coverage of relationships and touring injuries/health scares, Uzi remains relatively guarded about deeper personal insights. Preferring memes and playful tweets to expand on his mental state for diehard followers.
Lil Uzi Vert’s Estimated Net Worth
According to multiple reports, Lil Uzi Vert boasts an estimated net worth around $16 million as of 2022 stemming largely from packed touring, merchandise sales and the impressive streaming numbers from his album catalog.
Advance payments from major label Atlantic Records (especially to retain Uzi during periods away from music) along with sponsorship deals with brands like Nike, Pandora Jewelry and A-COLD-WALL likely contribute steady income streams in the high six figures and above as well.
The Lasting Impact of Lil Uzi Vert
In just a few short years, Lil Uzi Vert ascended from virtual unknown to one of music’s most recognizable stars. He has come to define a specific brand of subversive hip hop stardom spawning countless imitators embracing gothic aesthetics, melodic deliveries and leaning into vulnerability over traditional machismo. Acts like Trippie Redd, the late Lil Peep, SoFaygo and Yeat point directly to Uzi as formative examples to find their own voices.
Yet through all Uzi’s influence, he retains a connection to fans that few can replicate. During years caught in label turmoil where new music leaked unrelentingly but albums stalled officially, Uzi rode a wave of devotion still touring arenas, gracing magazine covers and permeating youth culture for those who cling to perpetual outsider mentalities. His resilience through industry troubles inspired diehard loyalty even amidst long waits.
Rather than chase trends, Uzi as an artist tapped into movements bubbling undercurrent. Years immersed among Philly’s vibrant DIY punk scene shaped his refusal to conform. He gave a relatable face to youth grappling depression, heartbreak and uncertainty many coming of age in chaotic times identify with. By shining light inward through self-expression, Uzi built intimate bonds with supporters.
For these reasons and fresh sounds still expanding even a decade deep into fame, Lil Uzi Vert’s influence only seems destined to grow exponentially. He continues resonating for those attracted to unclassifiable iconoclasts unafraid to embrace damage as much as creative bliss.