At only 22 years old, Philly rapper Lil Uzi Vert represents the youth. Just like Lil Yachty, he defies conventions and attracts just as much disdain as he does admiration. He’s on his way to becoming rap’s next big superstar, and it's not just because of of one or two hits, either. He’s had a prolific two years since initially gaining widespread attention in 2015, and his next project is shaping up to be a major moment for the young artist.
Uzi is exactly the type of rapper that the streaming era needs, bringing equal parts fun and real emotion. Although he’s a “real hip-hop” fan’s worst nightmare, his appeal is immediate and vast. With so much music coming out at such a rapid rate, however, it can be hard for casual fans to keep up.
Offering those who haven’t got into Uzi’s world just yet the chance to play catch-up to some of his finest work, we ranked the rising superstar's ten best songs—so far.
10. "Wit My Crew X 1987"
“Wit my Crew X 1987” isn’t a typical Uzi song, but that’s why it’s here. It's the longest track in this top 10, and the FKI-produced song starts off all hazy, with a sleepy flow from Uzi that eventually transforms into a gorgeous, guitar-led finale. It’s one of the best examples of Uzi’s versatility, even if his presence is a little more muted than usual.
9. "You Was Right"
No one really likes to admit that they were wrong, Uzi included. That didn’t stop him from making a song around the dreaded phrase “You was right, I was wrong.” With the lyrics focusing on his mistake of being unfaithful, “You Was Right” doesn’t really see Uzi taking pride in his actions. The minimal Metro Boomin production leaves the focus on Uzi’s stellar hook, which remains one of his best to date. The hook does take up more of the song than the verses do, but that’s what we like to call a good problem.
8. "Do What I Want"
Perfect Luv opener “Do What I Want” already had a moment when it was featured in a Jordan commercial, but now it’s getting another push with a lavish video. “Do What I Want” could very well be a slow-building future Uzi hit, following in the footsteps of “You Was Right” and “Money Longer.” It’s fun and simple, like a lot of Uzi’s most popular tracks, but it’s in no way a full indication of the range he’s capable of.
7. "Paradise"
Uzi snuck "Paradise" in right at the end of Luv Is Rage. At the time, it was an atypical track for the rapper. It's a genuinely surprising song—there’s hardly any rapping, only a melodic drawl and some massive drums that would sound at home on cuts from Drake or The Weeknd. With a pop-punk refrain, “Paradise” is one of Uzi’s most underrated tracks, and served as an indicator of what was to come.
6. "All My Chains"
Most of Uzi’s songs are best played loud, but “All My Chains” specifically demands it. It's explosive with no frills, just hard production and perhaps one of the most straight-forward deliveries of all Uzi’s singles. It’s something of an anomaly in his discography in that respect, but “All My Chains” hits hard. Uzi is just as good at the familiar as he is the alien.
5. "Money Longer"
Often seen as the song that turned Uzi into a star, “Money Longer” was his first commercially released single. Featuring some of his most quotable lines, “Money Longer” pushed Uzi’s music into the charts. The way he gleefully delivers almost every line is infectious, making it easy to see why he does that sassy shoulder dance. “Money Longer” is the perfect litmus test for whether someone will fuck with Uzi or not, and with over 85 million plays on YouTube, at this point it's an undeniable hit.
4. “Ps & Qs”
With easily one of the goofiest beats in recent memory, “Ps & Qs” doesn’t have any right to work as well as it does. There’s something inherently silly about the production, but Uzi’s charismatic delivery keeps the track from falling apart. The way he floats atop the production is sheer joy, and makes the song more fun than funny. If this doesn’t put a smile on your face you’re probably no fun at parties dead.
3. "Seven Million" ft. Future
“Seven Million” is the only song on this list to feature vocals from someone else. Future commands the hook of the track, and remains one of the only artists who can equal Uzi when it comes to hook duties. “Seven Million” sees Uzi delivering some memorable verses amidst Future’s slick chorus. It might be the best Future feature of 2016.
2. "Erase Your Social"
“Erase Your Social” never really takes off in the way one would expect, but that’s also what makes it so brilliant. There’s a restraint to the production, but Uzi holds nothing back. The hook is straight-up hypnotic like many of his best, but when combined with the twinkling production the whole thing shines.
The little production flourishes simply work to elevate the mesmerizing core of the song—few rappers can get away with making a song that is essentially just one look hook, but it's one of Uzi's special abilities.
1. "XO Tour Llif3"
Is it too early to call this? Maybe, but Uzi has repeatedly shown that he’s continually improving, project after project. There’s a reason none of his pre-2015 material shows up on this list, and that’s not because it’s bad, but because his latest material is so good. “XO Tour Llif3,” which was quietly uploaded to SoundCloud in February before making its way to YouTube and streaming services the next month, is the unlikeliest hit Uzi’s had.
The track is easily Uzi’s most audacious so far, and it works entirely in his favor. The sloppy vocal delivery and depressing lyrics don’t initially beg to be shouted back, but Uzi makes it borderline anthemic. This is a full-on crossover hit in the making, and it's already broken the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
This is the best Uzi has ever sounded, and considering the response, we hope it encourages him to keep things weird.
