Symere Bysil Woods, known professionally as Lil Uzi Vert, was born on July 31, 1995, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They grew up in the Francisville neighborhood and developed an interest in music, influenced by artists like Wiz Khalifa, Meek Mill, Marilyn Manson, and Paramore. Woods started rapping in the 10th grade after hearing a classmate freestyle. This led to the formation of a short-lived music group called Steaktown. After dropping out of school and a brief stint at a grocery store, they were kicked out of their home, which pushed them to take their music career more seriously.
Career Beginnings
Woods adopted the name Lil Uzi Vert from the way someone described their rap flow as "fast, like a machine gun." They released their first EP, "Purple Thoughtz Vol. 1," in 2014. Their early work gained the attention of DJ Drama, who signed them to his Generation Now imprint, an Atlantic Records label. They gained initial recognition with the 2015 commercial mixtape "Luv Is Rage."
Breakthrough and Mainstream Success
Lil Uzi Vert attracted mainstream attention in 2016 with their debut single "Money Longer." This was followed by the mixtape "Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World," which featured their first Billboard Hot 100 top-40 single, "You Was Right." That same year, they were featured on the Migos hit single "Bad and Boujee," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Their 2017 single "XO Tour Llif3" became a massive hit, peaking in the top ten of the Hot 100 and winning the MTV Video Music Award for Song of Summer.
Studio Albums
Lil Uzi Vert's debut studio album, "Luv Is Rage 2," was released in 2017 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was certified double platinum and earned them a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2018. After several delays, their second studio album, "Eternal Atake," was released in 2020 and also debuted at number one, becoming one of the most anticipated hip-hop albums of the year. Later in 2020, they released a collaborative album with Future titled "Pluto × Baby Pluto." Their third studio album, "Pink Tape," was released in 2023 and became their third consecutive solo project to debut at the top of the Billboard 200. It featured the hit single "Just Wanna Rock."
Artistry and Personal Life
Lil Uzi Vert is known for their genre-bending music, which blends elements of hip-hop, trap, emo, and rock. Their fashion style is often described as androgynous and eccentric, characterized by facial tattoos, piercings, and bold hairstyles. In July 2022, Woods officially changed their pronouns to they/them. They were in a relationship with fashion designer Brittany Byrd from 2014 to 2017 and have been linked to JT of the City Girls since 2019.