On December 17th one of the hottest young rap artists in the game, Lil Uzi Vert is coming to Tacoma, WA for the third annual Dope Music Festival.
The 22-year-old Philly native is part of a generation’s new polarizing wave of hip-hop including the likes of Lil Yachty, Kodak Black and 21 Savage – all of whom were featured on this years 2016 XXL freshman cover.
Uzi has had quite the rise over the last year. Touring nationwide fending off mobs of fans, while making appearances on tracks with A$AP Ferg, Young Thug, Future and more recently Meek Mill & Nicki Minaj on Meek Mill’s latest album DC4. Not to mention one of his latest tracks, “Do What I Want” was featured on Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook’s latest Air Jordan commercial.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLCnK41D_qc&w=560&h=315]
But with love comes hate and a long the way Uzi has received just as much critique. Majority of nay-sayers would say he lacks lyricism and “meaningful” content, which rings some truth. If you’re looking for next level bars and metaphors, Uzi is probably not going to be your favorite MC. But, if you’re ready to turn up and can appreciate a fire beat paired with catchy melodies and hooks, there’s still room for you to be a fan.
Tweets from rapper Ab-Soul.
Here is the full Hot.97 interview with E-Bro that Ab-Soul was referring to in his tweets.
I compare hip-hop’s current state to the likes of today’s NBA, and to be more specific, the Golden State Warriors. They’re young, they’re flashy, they shoot three-pointers and celebrate before they go in. They’re edgy, they won 73 games and in general they’re doing it all different from the rest. The criticism doesn’t ONLY come from “The Old Heads”, but in any culture they are usually first to speak up and the harshest criticizers. This is on full display in the Hot 97 interview.
“Old head” or “young head”, fan of the new wave or not, what is for sure, is everything has its phase, and some longer than others. Today’s hip-hop is far different than it was five years ago, and the hip-hop five years earlier was even more in a different place. As a rap fan who listens to many kinds, I enjoy it and think it has it’s place; I don’t believe the dominance of the new wave is one for longevity, but hey, what do I know?
Not everybody can be Kendrick or J. Cole and not everybody has to be either. I think hip-hop purists tend to forget hip-hop isn’t a one-dimensional genre. It isn’t only a tool to speak on social issues or politics; but also a genre created for the party and to have a good time. This is the lane I believe Uzi resides in and helps contribute to.
I’ve never been to an Uzi concert before – only footage. But what I can tell you is, the footage don’t lie.
If you’re new to Uzi’s sound, check out his latest projects “Luv Is Rage” and “The Perfect Luv Tape”. He also just dropped another mixtape with fellow Dope Music Festival artist Gucci Mane titled “1017 vs. the World”.
Caj Encee’s favorite Lil Uzi tracks:
All My Chains – Lil Uzi Vert
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_CWV1HKNTo&w=560&h=315]
Money Longer – Lil Uzi Vert
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eoSanFCU-M&w=560&h=315]
Big Racks – Young Thug feat. Lil Uzi vert
Too Much Sauce – DJ Esco feat. Future & Lil Uzi Vert
Follow Lil Uzi Vert on Instagram & Twitter
