Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Lil Uzi Vert
How Lil Uzi Vert built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Lil Uzi Vert, born Symere Bysil Woods, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Philadelphia. They rose to prominence with the mixtape Luv Is Rage (2015), securing a recording contract with Atlantic Records through DJ Drama's Generation Now imprint. Uzi is known for their unique rap style, fashion choices, and musical experimentation, contributing significantly to contemporary hip-hop and pop culture.
2010: Early Rap Beginnings
In 2010, Woods started rapping after hearing classmate William Aston freestyle, initially considering themself a "regular kid" not particularly interested in rapping.
January 19, 2014: Purple Thoughtz Vol. 1 Release
On January 19, 2014, Lil Uzi Vert released their first project, an EP titled Purple Thoughtz Vol. 1, which was described as "phonk" and having cloud rap beats.
August 5, 2014: The Real Uzi Mixtape Release
On August 5, 2014, Lil Uzi Vert's first mixtape, The Real Uzi, was released, produced by Don Cannon.
October 30, 2015: Luv Is Rage Release
On October 30, 2015, Lil Uzi Vert released their second mixtape, Luv Is Rage, which was positively received and featured on various music blogs.
2015: Luv Is Rage Release
In 2015, Lil Uzi Vert gained initial recognition following the release of the commercial mixtape Luv Is Rage, which led to a recording contract with Atlantic Records under DJ Drama's Generation Now imprint.
April 15, 2016: Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World Release
On April 15, 2016, Lil Uzi Vert released their third mixtape and first commercial mixtape, Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World, which debuted at number 37 on the Billboard 200 chart.
July 12, 2016: The Perfect LUV Tape Announcement
On July 12, 2016, Lil Uzi Vert announced their fourth mixtape, The Perfect LUV Tape.
July 2016: Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World Mixtape
In July 2016, Lil Uzi Vert released the mixtape Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World.
November 23, 2016: 1017 vs. the World Release
On November 23, 2016, Lil Uzi Vert released a collaboration mixtape with Gucci Mane, titled 1017 vs. the World.
2016: Mainstream Attention and Chart Success
In 2016, Lil Uzi Vert garnered mainstream attention with the release of their debut single "Money Longer". Their third mixtape, Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World, produced their first Billboard Hot 100-top 40 single, "You Was Right". They also appeared on Migos' "Bad and Boujee."
January 2017: "Bad and Boujee" Peaked atop Billboard Hot 100
In January 2017, Migos' single "Bad and Boujee", featuring Lil Uzi Vert, peaked atop the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming Uzi's first number 1 single.
February 27, 2017: Luv Is Rage 1.5 EP Release
On February 27, 2017, Lil Uzi Vert released the EP Luv Is Rage 1.5 while on tour with The Weeknd, which was positively received for its "nerdy" nature and themes.
April 4, 2017: "XO Tour Llif3" Debuts on Billboard Hot 100
On April 4, 2017, "XO Tour Llif3" debuted on Billboard Hot 100 at number 49 and peaked at number seven, becoming Lil Uzi Vert's highest-charting song.
August 24, 2017: Luv Is Rage 2 Album Announced
On August 24, 2017, Lil Uzi Vert announced the surprise release of their album Luv Is Rage 2 at midnight.
September 2017: Possible Sequel Teased
In September 2017, Lil Uzi Vert teased a possible sequel project to Lil Uzi Vert vs The World possibly titled Lil Uzi Vert vs. The World 2 and a collaboration project with Playboi Carti titled 16*29.
2017: "XO Tour Llif3" Success
In 2017, Lil Uzi Vert secured their first top ten single as a lead artist with "XO Tour Llif3", which also won the MTV Video Music Award for Song of Summer.
2017: Luv Is Rage 2 Album Release
In 2017, Lil Uzi Vert's debut studio album Luv Is Rage 2 was released, debuting atop the Billboard 200 and receiving double platinum certification.
2017: "White Shit" goes viral
In 2017, the track "White Shit", released in 2014, went viral in hip-hop circles following Lil Uzi Vert's entry into the mainstream.
January 2018: Mixtape Completion with Wheezy
In January 2018, Lil Uzi Vert announced that they had completed a mixtape with record producer Wheezy.
May 2018: New Project Confirmation
In May 2018, Don Cannon confirmed that Lil Uzi Vert's new project would be released in 2018.
July 2018: Eternal Atake Teaser
In July 2018, Lil Uzi Vert tweeted "Eternal Atake", pinning the tweet and announcing it was "coming soon", also sharing the cover art for the project.
April 2019: Signing with Roc Nation & Promotional Singles
In April 2019, Lil Uzi Vert signed with Roc Nation following label issues with Generation Now. Two promotional singles, "Sanguine Paradise" and "That's a Rack", were released in April 2019, initially believed to be from the upcoming album Eternal Atake.
December 13, 2019: "Futsal Shuffle 2020" Release
On December 13, 2019, Lil Uzi Vert released "Futsal Shuffle 2020", which served as the lead single for their highly anticipated album, Eternal Atake.
March 1, 2020: "That Way" Single Release
On March 1, 2020, Lil Uzi Vert released "That Way" as the second single from the album Eternal Atake.
March 6, 2020: Eternal Atake Album Release
On March 6, 2020, Lil Uzi Vert released their album Eternal Atake, which featured a guest appearance from Syd and debuted at the top of the Billboard 200.
March 12, 2020: Teasing Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2
On March 12, 2020, Lil Uzi Vert teased the release of the deluxe version of Eternal Atake and the sequel to their 2016 mixtape, Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2, which would release the following day.
April 24, 2020: "Sasuke" Single Release
On April 24, 2020, Lil Uzi Vert released a new single titled "Sasuke", their first release since the deluxe version of Eternal Atake.
July 21, 2020: Hinting at Pluto x Baby Pluto Project
On July 21, 2020, Lil Uzi Vert and Future hinted at an upcoming joint project titled Pluto x Baby Pluto on their social media.
November 13, 2020: Pluto x Baby Pluto Album Release
On November 13, 2020, Lil Uzi Vert and Future released their joint project, Pluto x Baby Pluto, which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.
2020: Releases of Eternal Atake and Pluto x Baby Pluto
In 2020, Lil Uzi Vert's second studio album, Eternal Atake, debuted atop the Billboard 200, marking their second project to do so. They also released Pluto × Baby Pluto, a collaborative album with Future, in 2020.
2020: Promotion of New Singles
In late 2020, Lil Uzi Vert began promoting new singles on Instagram live videos that were sonically similar to popular releases early in their career.
July 16, 2021: The Pink Tape Announcement
On July 16, 2021, Lil Uzi Vert announced the title of their upcoming album as The Pink Tape.
October 29, 2021: "Demon High" Single Release
On October 29, 2021, Lil Uzi Vert released the single "Demon High".
July 12, 2022: Red & White EP Announcement
On July 12, 2022, Lil Uzi Vert announced an EP titled Red & White, which was planned for release before Pink Tape.
October 2022: "Just Wanna Rock" Release and Viral Trend
In October 2022, Lil Uzi Vert released their single "Just Wanna Rock", which became a viral trend on TikTok and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
June 30, 2023: Pink Tape Album Release
On June 30, 2023, Lil Uzi Vert released their third solo studio album, Pink Tape, featuring collaborations with Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, and others. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
August 16, 2023: Barter 16 Artwork Teaser
On August 16, 2023, Lil Uzi Vert teased the artwork cover for their mixtape Barter 16 on Instagram.
August 19, 2023: Barter 16 Songs Leaked and Scrapped
On August 19, 2023, multiple songs from Lil Uzi Vert's Barter 16 were leaked online, leading to the project being scrapped.
2023: Pink Tape Album Release
In 2023, Lil Uzi Vert released their third solo album, Pink Tape, which became their third consecutive solo project to debut atop the Billboard 200 and included the hit single "Just Wanna Rock".
October 2024: Teasing Eternal Atake 2
In October 2024, Lil Uzi Vert began teasing Eternal Atake 2.
