Lil Uzi Vert has been dominating 2017 so far, and his recently released Luv Is Rage 2 album continues to turn in excellent sales. It's a good look for the young rapper, who feels like the captain of the new generation, helming the voyage of the new wave. While there are a few purists who feel some type of way about Uzi's rapid ascent, it's difficult to deny that the rockstar is well on his way to ubiquity. What he lacks in lyricism he makes up for in character and charisma. Plus, Uzi's ear for melody is second to none right now.
And if Uzi is at the forefront of the game, Houston rapper Maxo Kream is on the opposite end of the spectrum - lyrically on point, yet criminally underrated. His previous music was raw as hell, and collaborations with $uicideboy$ and BeatKing established Maxo as a no-fucks-given, unapologetic lyricist. Despite being only a few years older than Uzi, Maxo seemed to have avoided the trappings of the younger movement, opting for some raw Southern gothic narratives over Xanax and lean.
And then "Mars" came about. In theory, it's a great collaboration between two diverse and talented artists. Yet the previously unreleased joint comes off feeling a little bit underwhelming, especially considering the fire that both acts have previously cooked up. Over a bubbly beat not unlike D.R.A.M's "Broccoli," both Uzi and Maxo opt to celebrate the youth's drugs o' choice - Xannies and Lean. "Mixing the lean with the percs, sippin' on lean till I burp," sings Maxo, diving into some new territory. Fans will be pleased to note that Maxo's hilarious lyricism remains sharp, and while the Texan comes through with a different style on "Mars," it's cool to see him reaching out to some bigger names.
Check out "Mars" now, and sound off. Ya'll feeling this?
Quotable Lyrics
Mixin the lean with the percs
Sippin' on lean till I burp
Venus Serena I serve
Fingerfuck Nina a perv