The term rockstar is used loosely these days. Before, it only applied to artists who created and performed rock music. Now it can apply to anyone with a big personality and a bigger fanbase. A lot of artists are now self-proclaiming to be rockstars. Lil Uzi Vert has declared to be the latest rockstar to emerge on the scene.
Lil Uzi exploded on the scene with the song “Money Longer” from his third mixtape Luv Is Rage. After that mixtape, he has quickly become one of the most spoken of artists in recent times. Part of being a rockstar is dancing to the beat of your own drum. Considering the artists that have come out of Philly before him, Uzi is one the most unique. His short multi-colored dreads is not the typical hairstyle you would see in many parts of Philly, where he is from. The same can be about his music. Lil Uzi started to pursue a career in rap when he was a senior in high school in 2012. Two years later he met Don Cannon and DJ Drama who both have provided production on his 2015 release, Luv Is Rage. His crooning style of rap and the trap production he usually raps over is reminiscent of many Atlanta artists. He is another reason the Atlanta sound is transcending the southern region.
When asked, Lil Uzi told Complex that A$AP Rocky, Pharrell, Marilyn Manson, Kanye West, and Wiz Khalifa were some of his influences. All of which are rock stars themselves, so he is taking his cue from the right people, and recently being chased by a crowd of raging fans helps his claims. As far as his personal declaration of being a rockstar, they are more along the lines of foreshadows rather than his current reality. Lil Uzi Vert has all the potential to become the rockstar he says he is, but he still needs to separate himself from the pack of other new artists. What is the clear difference between him and artists like Migos, Young Thug, 21 Savage, Lil Yachty, and Rich the Kid? When he can truly differentiate himself from other rappers, that’s when he’ll become a rockstar, whether you agree or not.
