Biography

Symere Woods (born July 31, 1994), better known by his stage name Lil Uzi Vert, is an American hip hop recording artist. 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 several prominent rappers, most notably his appearance on Migos' "Bad and Boujee", which became Lil Uzi Vert's first US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single.

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.  Uzi later signed a record deal with DJ Drama, Don Cannon and Leighton Morrison's record label Generation Now and Atlantic Records. 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. He was named as one of the ten 2016 XXL Freshmen on June 13, 2016. 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." 

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.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 #7 peak on the Billboard Hot 100.

Artistry

Musical style

Complex has called Uzi "one of those names to pay attention to in 2016" and Spin wrote "the 22-year-old has solidified his spot as one to watch... his signature rapid delivery". Noisey calls him "articularly charismatic", a "natural entertainer" who is "for better or for worse, yanking people into the future".

Influences

Lil Uzi Vert calls Marilyn Manson "his greatest inspiration." 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.

Discography

Main article: Lil Uzi Vert discography

• Luv Is Rage (2015)
• Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World (2016)
• The Perfect Luv Tape (2016)
• Luv is Rage 2 (2017)