Lil Uzi Vert
Lil Uzi Vert | |
|---|---|
 Lil Uzi Vert performing in 2016 in Nashville | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Symere Woods |
| Born | July 31, 1994 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | liluziofficial |
Symere Woods (born July 31, 1994), better known by his stage name Lil Uzi Vert, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, visual artist, record producer, and record executive. Based in Philadelphia, he gained recognition after releasing his debut single, "Money Longer", and several mixtapes, including Luv Is Rage, Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World and The Perfect Luv Tape. Lil Uzi Vert has also collaborated with a variety of rappers, most notably featuring on Migos' "Bad and Boujee" which became Uzi Vert's first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single as a featured artist.[1]
Career
Uzi Vert's rapping skills were noticed by Don Cannon, who heard one of Uzi's songs being played on the radio by DJ Diamond Kuts. [2][3] Uzi later signed a record deal with DJ Drama, Don Cannon and Leighton Morrison's record label Generation Now and Atlantic Records.[4] Uzi gained attention after being featured on Carnage's single "WDYW" with ASAP Ferg and Rich The Kid in 2015.
Uzi then released his third mixtape Luv Is Rage on December 18, 2015, with productions from Don Cannon, FKi, Sonny Digital, TM88, DP Beats, Maaly Raw and more, and guest features from Wiz Khalifa and Young Thug. On April 15, 2016, Uzi released his fourth mixtape Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World with production from Don Cannon, Metro Boomin, WondaGurl, M-TRAX, Smatt Sertified and more, with the cover art designed by Fvrris.[5] He was named as one of the ten 2016 XXL Freshmen on June 13, 2016.[6] On July 31, 2016, Uzi released his fifth mixtape The Perfect Luv Tape on his 22nd birthday. Similar to his other albums, this one features many famous rappers such as Future in his song "Seven Million." [7]
Uzi collaborated with the rap group Migos in October 2016 on the single "Bad and Boujee" which in January 2017 reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Uzi Vert's first number one single as a featured artist and his highest charting single.[1] On March 24th, 2017, Uzi released the song XO TOUR Llif3 as a single, off of his EP Luv Is Rage 1.5. The single has since become Uzi's highest charting song as a lead artist, reaching a #8 peak on the Billboard Hot 100.
Musical style
Complex has called Uzi "one of those names to pay attention to in 2016"[8] and Spin wrote "the 22-year-old has solidified his spot as one to watch...[with] his signature rapid delivery".[9] Noisey calls him "articularly charismatic", a "natural entertainer" who is "for better or for worse, yanking people into the future".[10]
Influences
Lil Uzi Vert calls Marilyn Manson "his greatest inspiration."[11] In an interview with Complex, Lil Uzi Vert cited ASAP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Young Thug, Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne, and the Ying Yang Twins as influences.[4]
Discography
Commercial mixtapes
- Luv Is Rage (2015)
- Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World (2016)
- The Perfect Luv Tape (2016)
- Luv is Rage 2 (2017)[12]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Nominated Work | Category | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Billboard Music Awards | Himself | Top New Artist | Nominated | [13] |
| "Bad and Boujee" (featuring Migos) | Top Rap Song | Nominated | |||
| Top Rap Collaboration | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b "Migos' 'Bad and Boujee,' Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, Tops Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
- ^ "Lil Uzi Vert is living in the future of rap - Noisey".
- ^ "The Break Presents: Lil Uzi Vert - XXL".
- ^ a b "Next Wave: Meet Lil Uzi Vert, the next phenom in rap". Complex. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
- ^ "Lil Uzi Vert - Lil Uzi Vert. Vs. The World - Download & Listen [New Mixtape]".
- ^ Schwartz, Danny (June 19, 2016). "XXL Freshman Class 2016". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ^ "Stream Lil Uzi Vert's "The Perfect Luv Tape," Featuring Future & More".
- ^ Diep, Eric (January 20, 2016). "An exclusive interview with rising rapper Lil Uzi Vert".
- ^ Bradley, Megan (April 18, 2016). "Go south young man: How Philly rapper Lil Uzi Vert won over Atlanta". Spin.
- ^ Kramer, Kyle (March 2, 2016). "Lil Uzi Vert is living in the future of RnB". Noisey.
- ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (9 June 2017). "Artists to Watch In 2017: Lil Uzi Vert, Rap's Tradition-Bucking, Marilyn Manson-Loving Star". Billboard. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Lil Uzi Vert Announces "Luv Is Rage 2"".
- ^ "Drake, The Chainsmokers Lead Nominees for the 2017 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. April 10, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.