Earlier this year, 23-year-old rapper Lil Uzi Vert dominated airwaves with “XO Tour Llif3.” Though the track’s lyrical content is uncharacteristic of modern rap, the song was a hit. The song was recently given a music video directed by Virgil Abloh and a spot on the rapper’s anticipated debut album, Luv is Rage 2.
Climbing Towards Success
In the few years he’s been rapping, Lil Uzi Vert’s rise to popularity happened seemingly overnight. In addition to lyrical dexterity, his fearless fashion-sense and charisma have won over the masses. The Philadelphia-native attracted Soundcloud followers by the handfuls, eventually earning him the most followers in 2016. From there, Lil Uzi Vert’s climb towards stardom blossomed out of passion for art.
Luv is Rage 2 debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 Album Charts. The album has received significant praise for his deeply emotional lyrics and infectious beats. Luv is Rage 2 showcases a persona that is much more mature and artistic than his previous work.
Virgil Vision
The video for “XO Tour Llif3” accurately captures Lil Uzi Vert’s aesthetic. Director Virgil Abloh fuses hazy camcorder shots with a dreamy, purple tints. Abloh is the founder of popular fashion label, OFF-WHITE, and contributed his art direction towards Jay-Z and Kayne West‘s Watch the Throne collaboration. Though quite strange, Abloh’s visuals somehow feel natural in this context.
Together, Lil Uzi Vert and Abloh feed off each other’s creative energies to create interesting visual compositions. Abloh pairs shots of the diamonds glittering across the young rapper’s body with the gruesome, blood-smeared smiles of the video’s actresses.
Lil Uzi Vert’s charisma shines through the way he carries himself. His fearlessness in music and fashion have made him a spectacle to the world. At 23-years-old, he has amassed more followers and money than those twice his age. However, his passion for creating and inspiring others will guide him as he begins work on his next project.
Check out the video for “XO Tour Llif3” directed by Virgil Abloh:
Find out what inspires Lil Uzi Vert’s style in this interview with Complex Magazine: