The 20 Best Lil Uzi Vert Songs

Vert's had an explosive two years, going from releasing his debut mixtape to superstardom in short order. Here are his best songs (so far).

Lil Uzi Vert's star is rising fast. Since his breakthrough mixtape Luv Is Rage back in 2015, Uzi's profile has exploded. Due in equal parts to standout solo records (and cohesive full-lengths), eye-catching features, and a self-proclaimed rockstar persona, people observe his every move. It helps that there's always something to pay attention to; in the short span of two years, Uzi has released three full length mixtapes, an EP with Gucci Mane, and various throwaways, all on top of releasing his (very good) debut album, Luv Is Rage 2.

Carving out a singular sound and style in hip-hop is important, and while Uzi's often grouped together with his peers, he's discovered a lane of his own—best typified by the singular "XO Tour Llif3"—and it's pushed him into superstardom. With so much music available, sifting through all of his tracks and ranking them could be tough, but his catalog is still, at this early stage in his career, and inconsistent body of work. There are records that clearly stand head and shoulders above others, moments of brilliance where all of his talent is on full display, and the results feel effortless.

Here are the best 20 Lil Uzi Vert songs.

20. "Grab The Wheel"

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Producer: CuBeatz & Don Cannon

Album: Lil Uzi vs The World (2016)

"I was broke, I was just at home/Now I'm on the road, talking to Usher at The Grove." The personality of Lil Uzi Vert can fluctuate from song to song, one instant the energetic, fun rapper that preoccupied with his cars, money, and jewelry, and another he's more reserved, guarded, and emotional. "Grab The Wheel" is an example of the latter. Uzi is reflective of the success he's accumulated in a relative short amount of time, going from unknown to a budding star head-spinningly quickly. Uzi resonates with the youth, admitting "I'm only 21, I don't know," a stage in life everybody can recall back to. Lil Uzi vs The World is full of standout tracks, but "Grab The Wheel" is Uzi at his most introspective, providing the most layers to peel back.

 

19. "Wit My Crew X 1987"

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Producer: FKI

Album: Luv Is Rage (2015)

"Wit My Crew X 1987," is one of the most relatable songs in Uzi's catalog. The lyrics "riding around wit my crew," meshed with the syrupy production of FKI, take the listener on a late summer night, riding around with friends and looking for a move. The second half of the track, "1987," is a completely new song which finds Uzi rapping about how his life has changed and nothing around him can be deemed normal or regular anymore.

18. "Neon Guts" f/ Pharrell Williams

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Producer: Pharrell Williams

AlbumLuv Is Rage 2 (2017)

The most nostalgia-inducting moment on Luv Is Rage 2 is hearing that patented Pharrell four count on the beginning of "Neon Guts." Up until this point in his career, Lil Uzi had only worked with artists that were considered his contemporaries. So, hearing him on record with an artist with the magnitude and icon status of Pharrell Williams was, to put it simply, a moment. This collaboration signified a moment where one of the true legends in hip-hop embraced Uzi, lending him some credibility in his role of the next one up. The starry production truly feels otherworldy and "higher than Elon Musk." It's as if Pharrell reached back into a stash of vintage Neptunes productions and gifted us a collaboration we didn't know we wanted, but it turned out we needed.

17. "NuYork Nights at 21"

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Producer: FKi 1st

Album: Luv Is Rage (2015)

The biggest deviation from the norm on Luv Is Rage is a love song on a project full of bangers. "NuYork Nights at 21," in which we get Uzi proclaiming his love for his significant other and detailing their trials and tribulations through their relationship, is an absolute gem. Fki 1st's bright and airy production brings out the the melodic side to Uzi—something that became integral to his style in his ensuing run. "I need you the most, more important than dough" is a pretty serious proclamation from Uzi considering how much he loves his money, so you know he's truly in love here.

16. "Scott and Ramona"

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Producer: WondaGurl

Album: Lil Uzi vs The World (2016)

"Scott and Ramona" is Uzi paying homage to the comic book series and film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, relating his relationship with his girlfriend Brittany to Scott Pilgrim's relationship with his love interest, Ramona Flowers. Floating between needing Brittany ("I can't go a day if I don't talk to my baby") and not trusting her ("from what I heard she got a man back home" and "say she single but she know she really taken"), Uzi has an internal battle going on of wanting something he may not be able to attain. This is a theme related to Scott Pilgrim and Ramona Flowers (the plot of the comic and movies centers on Ramona's multiple ex-boyfriends, each vying for her love, making Scott's goal of winning her heart challenging, to say the least). The drawing parallels between his real relationship and that of a fantasy makes this one of Uzi's more conceptually clever tracks.

15. "Too Much Sauce" DJ ESCO f/ Future and Lil Uzi Vert

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Producer: Zaytoven

Album: Project E.T. Esco Terrestrial (2016)

"Too Much Sauce" is, in a catalog filled with songs dedicated to being carefree, quite possible the most carefree of Uzi's songs. From the colorful Zaytoven production to humorous and borderline outrageous lyrics ("diamonds they look like Dasani, more like Voss"), this is a flexing 101 course. "Too Much Sauce," has a kinetic energy that is undeniable, and highly recommended for when when you have your best outfit on, or a new haircut, or just feel good in general. That's too much sauce.

14. "Super Saiyan"

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Producer: Salde Da Monsta

Album: Luv Is Rage (2015)

Lil Uzi has said that his name came from his rapid fire delivery when rapping, and if you were to pick a song that proves his claim it's "Super Saiyan." The second verse in particular is where tongue-twisting Uzi is on full display, rapping for a straight minute and a half to close the song out,. From a technical standpoint this is probably the closest thing you will get to "strictly bars" from Lil Uzi Vert. 

13. "Unfazed" f/ The Weeknd

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Producer: The Weeknd, DaHeala, Don Cannon & Maaly Raw

Album: Luv Is Rage 2 (2017)

The unbothered anthem, "UnFazed" continues a long line of The Weeknd hijacking a rappers song and delivering the standout verse, as well as dominating the hook duties he was brought in for as well. Uzi comes in and holds his own, providing the humor people have become accustomed to from Uzi, but this is undeniably Abel Tesfaye's song from the moment the tracks begins. Impressive, considering he's one of only two features on Luv Is Rage 2.

 

12. "Canadian Goose"

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Producer: Maaly Raw

Album: Lil Uzi vs The World (2016)

When Lil Uzi is in his pocket, delivering rapid-fire line after rapid-fire line until he's lost in a beat, it's akin to riding a roller coaster. Uzi does that and then some on "Canadian Goose," an exercise in flexing. Whether it's lines like "Lil Uzi, ooh, I got hella groupies," or "I need Canadian Goose, I need to get a Moncler, diamonds so cold need some soup," you never really know how Uzi is going to get from point A to point B, but the ride is always fun.

11. "All My Chains"

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Producer: Slade Da Monsta

Album: Luv Is Rage (2015)

"All My Chains" was my personal introduction to Lil Uzi Vert, and I'll never forget the first time I heard "this a fly trap nigga theme song." The track is bass heavy and hard hitting, a certified banger that still can get every party lit. Lines like "pill blue like Lilo and Stitch, run to the money like Sonic" ages him, and the specificity of the references helps him connect with his young listeners. Uzi knows his fans, and he knows exactly how to reach them.

10. "Feelings Mutual"

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Producer: WondaGurl

Album: Luv Is Rage 2 (2017)

"Feelings Mutual" is a dark one, detailing his use of pills to help with the breakup of his longtime girlfriend Brittany Byrd. A common theme in Uzi's music is his relationship with Byrd, as is his affinity for drugs, particularly pills (see: "XO Tour Llif3" and "Uppin Downers"). Both come into play here. Uzi describes how he's numb to the pain he's been through, struggling to stay away from drugs but ultimately ending with the lines "I'm doing fine now, no I do not need nobody now," as if he's overcome both the pills and Brittany simultaneously.

9. "P's and Q's"

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Producer: Don Cannon

Album: Lil Uzi vs The World (2016)

"P's and Q's" is such an outrageous, outwardly braggadocious song that it should be tough to pull off. For Uzi, it's easy. Here he openly details how he took his girlfriend Brittany from her previous boyfriend, even calling out her ex by name on the track ("bye bye Austin, hello Lil Uzi"). He even goes as far to taunt poor Austin in the record, clowning him for his financial shortcomings ("ooh sing it, he ain't got no money"), and his failure to reach the NBA ("had a nigga, thought he was going straight to the league"). This is truly ether, that shit that make your soul burn slow. But Uzi is also aware he has to stay on his P's and Q's because the same thing can very well happen to him. After all, how you get them is how you lose them.

8. "Wokeuplikethis*" Playboi Carti f/ Lil Uzi Vert

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Producer: Pi'erre Bourne

Album: Playboi Carti (2017)

"Ooh I think they like me, yup, in my white tee," are the opening lines to Uzi's verse, a reference to Dem Franchize Boyz' classics "Oh I Think They Like Me" and "White Tee." That opening line also best sums up Uzi as an artist—you just never know which direction he is going to go on a song or what he is going to do, but it is sure to be exciting. The true standout record from a handful of good records from Carti and Uzi, this is Uzi at nearly the peak of his game.

7. "The Way Life Goes"

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Producer: Don Cannon & Ike Beats

Album: Luv Is Rage 2 (2017)

"The Way Life Goes" shows Uzi at his emotional and melodic best, reflecting on his past relationship with his ex-girlfriend Brittany. The track is an interpolation of British indie band Oh Wonder's "Landslide," and Uzi does the original justice, somehow pulling off the unexpected choice. Building off of the hook of Oh Wonder's song ("I know it hurts sometimes but you'll get over it"), Uzi turns in his own story of heartbreak, detailing how he and Brittany were in Hawaii looking at wedding rings and how the pain of losing her makes him wish he never had met Brittany to begin with. This is Uzi at his most vulnerable. 

6. "Bad and Boujee" Migos f/ Lil Uzi Vert

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Producer: Metro Boomin

Album: Culture (2017)

"Bad and Boujee" was Migos' true breakthrough record, and ended up one of the biggest records of 2017, thanks to its simple, dark production and one of the catchiest hooks you'll ever hear on wax. The record was a nearly universally loved hit except for one thing: the most polarizing verse of Lil Uzi Vert's career.

On one hand, there is a faction of people who believe Uzi had no business being on the record and actually ruins the song, calling for him to be replaced by Takeoff. Then, there's a corner of people who believe Uzi's verse serves as a change of pace for the record, injecting a different energy into a perfect song. Uzi himself even references the haters of the verse on "Feelings Mutual," saying "her boyfriend hate my "Bad and Boujee" verse." Whether you love or hate the verse is up for debate, what isn't debatable though is Uzi had a placement on one of the biggest rap records in recent memory with a verse that is inarguably unforgettable.

5. "444+222"

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Producer: Maaly Raw

Album: Luv Is Rage 2 (2017)

The title of "444+222" is a great troll from Uzi, getting people riled up over the sum being 666 and fueling rumors of him "worshipping the devil" and "selling his soul." What makes the joke work is the fact the song is upbeat and opposite of anything satanic, and the 444 references Jay Z's new album title 4:44 ("million on me, Jay Z"). Seeing as how Jay himself has been accused of being in the Illuminati, he probably got a kick out of this.

4. "You Was Right"

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Producer: Metro Boomin

Album: Lil Uzi vs The World (2016)

"You was right, I was wrong." Six words that you dread saying to your partner, significant other, literally anyone. Lil Uzi vs The World was a captivating project because it showed Uzi was able to make structured and concise records, weaving in and out of melodic pockets and showing emotion that wasn't previously on display. The project represented Uzi tapping into his full potential, and that was clearest on "You Was Right." Uzi seamlessly blends in with Metro Boomin's standout production, detailing the infidelities in his relationship and admitting to his faults. It's the rare humanizing record that also slaps.

 

3. "Do What I Want"

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Producer: Maaly Raw & Don Cannon

Album: The Perfect Luv Tape (2016)

The most purely motivational record in Uzi's catalog, "Do What I Want," is the representation of overcoming and just finally being able to, well, do whatever it is you have always wanted to do. "Boy I started from the bottom, made my way to the top. Boy I'm gone keep winning, you know I cannot stop," is petulant, charming, and set over one of the most joyous beats out in recent memory. "Do What I Want" was so defiant it ended up the unofficial theme song for Russell Westbrook's 2017 NBA MVP campaign. Remember when Uzi had a little? He turned that shit to a lot.

2. "Money Longer"

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Producer: Maaly Raw & Don Cannon

Album: Lil Uzi vs The World (2016)

The moment you hear the sirens and bass building up you just know something hard-hitting is coming. "Money Longer" doesn't disappoint. One of the true anthems in Uzi's catalog, "nowadays I am on, my haters got sadder, money got longer, speakers got louder, cars got faster," is sure to cause any and everybody to boss up and flex on their detractors. "Money Longer" is the record that officially pushed Uzi into stardom and to the forefront of a new generation of rappers, proving his potential as a hitmaker and separating him from the pack.

1. "XO TOUR Llif3"

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Producer: JW Lucas & TM88

Album: Luv Is Rage 2 (2017)

Originally released with three other tracks as a part of Luv Is Rage 1.5, "XO TOUR Llif3," immediately took on a life of its own. The title of the track is an homage to The Weeknd's XO label, and opening for the R&B star's Starboy tour. The record is, by far, the darkest song in Uzi's catalog, touching on drug abuse and suicidal thoughts, but it's also his most infectious, mining nihilism for a unlikely chart hit. There's no way "push me to the edge, all my friends are dead" should become a pop culture staple, but in 2017 that's exactly what happened.

"XO TOUR Llif3" is inescapable, catchy, and harrowing, a record that crossed boundaries and challenged the fundamental standards of a hit record. It's Vert's most popular song for a reason, and the crown jewel of his catalog.

 

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