Is there anyone better at marketing themselves on social media than Lil Uzi Vert? Sure, Vince Staples is already going down in the Twitter Hall of Fame for his constant provocation, and artists like Lil Yachty or 21 Savage are late but formidable entries to this category, but it’s hard not to pinpoint the use of a charismatic online presence along with viral snippets directly to the Philly rapper’s signature shoulder roll. 2016 was a breakout year for the 22 year old and he’s now poised to deliver the highly anticipated sequel to 2015’s Luv Is Rage debut.
Here are 8 songs from the past year that catapulted Uzi towards the forefront of pop culture.
“Grab The Wheel”
Remember how The Weeknd won an award for a kids show talkin’ bout a face numbing off a bag of blow? “Grab The Wheel” proves Uzi has the same ability to lace the most soaring, family-friendly tunes with darker, more suggestive undertones. One of his strongest songs this year, the infectious "Grab The Wheel" quickly became a fan favorite - even though it never actually charted.
DJ Esco - “Too Much Sauce” (ft. Future & Lil Uzi Vert)
His first collab with Future, “Too Much Sauce” is off of DJ Esco’s Project E.T. (Esco Terrestrial). It isn’t as potent as the follow up Uzi x Hendrix cut found on The Perfect Luv Tape, “Seven Million,” but it made a way bigger splash (currently at #56 on The Hot 100). Uzi has always made his influences clear, and I think it’s this level of honesty that made it so easy for him to step into Future’s world.
“P’s & Q’s”
Speaking of honesty, this track is the pettiest of petty rap songs with Uzi outright admitting that it’s all “slick hating” right out of the gate. Over a rollicking Don Cannon beat, Uzi embodies every scorned high schooler ever and relentlessly mocks his girlfriend’s ex for the entirety of the runtime. It never charted, but it’s no surprise that this became one of his more viral releases this year (inspiring everything from fun Meechie dance videos to hilarious parodies).
Wiz Khalifa - “Pull Up” (ft. Lil Uzi Vert)
Another song that didn’t chart but still made waves within their respective fanbases, “Pull Up” is the follow up to the duo’s first collab on 2015’s “Queso.” Uzi reminds me of a younger Wiz in some ways - he has the youth in the palm of his hand and I can see him developing the same longevity through his astute branding. Rumors of Uzi signing to Wiz’s Taylor Gang label are dispelled for the moment but I think we can definitely expect more work from these two in 2017 - especially considering “Pull Up” is sitting at a nice 20 million views right now.
“Do What I Want”
Lil Yachty is starring in Sprite commercials alongside Lebron; Russell Westbrook is hittin’ dem folks to Lil Uzi songs for Jordan commercials - the journey from upcoming and unknown to pop culture sensation seems to be shorter than ever before. Uzi’s gotten cosigns from the likes of Young Thug to Meek Mill, but Westbrook using “Do What I Want” to throw shade at Durant on national TV might be his biggest look to date.
“Money Longer”
One of the best examples of Uzi’s A1 snippet game, fans were obsessing over short clips of this banger for a minute before it eventually found a home on Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World. (Here’s a re-upload of one of these many snippets - just look at that pristine shoulder roll!). Although, nowadays, snippets come and go regularly (just ask Young Thug fans), Uzi delivered for his fans and his fans reciprocated the love - “Money Longer” peaked at #9 on the rap charts and #52 on the Hot 100.
Migos - “Bad & Boujee” (ft. Lil Uzi Vert)
The most recent entry to this list, “Bad & Boujee” is the highest charting Migos single to date (currently at #2) - and it would be dishonest to suggest Uzi had nothing to do with this notable feat. Despite what you may think of his verse (all I can say is that if my life depended on reciting it forwards, backwards or from randomly selected points - I’d not only live, I’d convert my captor into a Uzi stan), Uzi’s appeal is only rising. In fact, one could argue that this entry has less to do with helping Uzi blow up and more to do with Migos being smart enough to capitalize on Uzi's growing brand.
“You Was Right"
“Money Longer” might have been two spots higher on the Rap charts, but “You Was Right” is Uzi’s highest-charting hit on the Hot 100 (currently at #42). One of the two cuts produced by Metro Boomin on his first release of 2016, Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World, this is a direct glimpse into the charismatic rapper’s pop sensibilities. As it stands, Lil Uzi feels magical, an embodiment of the fountain of youth, with a better understanding of the game than he lets on. It’s fitting that the music video for “You Was Right” is an homage to Alice in Wonderland - Lil Uzi Vert is the playful yet sphinxlike Cheshire Cat, everlasting grin and all.