JACQUES: People love Philadelphia’s Lil Uzi Vert for a wide variety of reasons.
From his fashion sense, the way he attacks beats, to just the youthful exuberance that lives in his music.
But there's one that stands out amongst the others, and just from the wider rap game.
It's the way he uses his voice. Hip hop's most important, and frankly impactful instrument.
Take for example his late April 2020 cut, “Sasuke.”
Which features a higher pitched baby voice, made popular by his on and off best friend,
Playboi Carti.
So we decided to look at all the many different voices of Lil Uzi Vert.
But before we dove into that, it’s worth noting his vocal inspirations. Notably, Paramore’s Hayley Williams.
UZI: I still listen to Paramore, ‘Riot’ and all that old stuff. From when I was younger.
I ain’t gone lie i get a lot of flows from that and stuff.
The cadence from Hayley Williams. So I listen to that.
JACQUES: As well as Atlanta rap icon Young Thug - for whom Uzi created the song “Thugger Voice,” which
later became “WDYW.”
UZI: So, the song was called ‘Thugger voice” because of the high pitched voice that I used
on the song.
It was more like Young Thug.
To begin, we’ll stay in the higher pitched vein that we pointed out on Sasuke,
with his irreverent mention of Balenciaga on “POP.”
Uzi hit this same pocket, to the surprise of many, on 2019’s “Igor’s Theme” and
“Free Uzi” a few months earlier
“Free Uzi’s” double time sped up high pitch flow is an Uzi staple going
back to 2014's, ‘The Real Uzi’ "Intro," as well as 2015’s “Enemies.”
Another fan favorite Uzi voice are his angsty melodies heard on “You Was Right” and
“Do What I Want.”
Or the sadness in his voice heard on “The Way Life Goes,” and “I’m Sorry.”
But the fan favorite is the sometimes demonic but always commanding deeper Uzi voice.
Heard to great effect on “444+222,” “Uppin Downers” and “All My Chains,” as well as many others.
All in all fans love Uzi just for the energy he brings, and just by this selection of voices,
he has a vibe for any situation.
UZI: Cause I have a crazy cadence.
That’s what makes my music... the feel of it. That's what makes my music cool.
You can feel the energy and all that.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments.
I’m Jacques Morel with Genius News, bringing you the meaning and the knowledge behind the
music, at home.
Peace!