Symere Bysil Woods (born July 31, 1995), known professionally as Lil Uzi Vert, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Known for their eclectic fashion style and genre-blending music, they are considered an influential figure in contemporary hip-hop.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, they gained initial recognition following the release of the commercial mixtape Luv Is Rage (2015), which led to a recording contract with Atlantic Records, to whom they signed under DJ Drama's Generation Now imprint.
Early life
Symere Bysil Woods was born on July 31, 1995, in the Francisville neighborhood of North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
They grew up listening to Mike Jones and Ying Yang Twins; Jones' 2005 debut album was the first album they purchased. Woods later began listening to Wiz Khalifa and Meek Mill, who influenced their future style.
They also began listening to Marilyn Manson, Paramore, Smash Mouth, the Rocket Summer, Simian, My Chemical Romance, and the All-American Rejects when they were 13 years old.
Woods dropped out of school and soon started working at a Bottom Dollar store, but quit after four days and was kicked out of their home by their mother.
The situation led to Woods getting their first face tattoo, the word "Faith" under their hairline, which provoked them to take their rap career seriously.
Feuds
DJ Drama
Woods has had a long-standing stand-still with Generation Now imprint owners Don Cannon and DJ Drama over their music.
Woods has insulted Don Cannon and DJ Drama over the delays to their Luv Is Rage 2 album, advised people against signing with Generation Now and referred to DJ Drama as an "old person".
Reese LaFlare and OG Maco
On April 29, 2016, Atlanta rapper OG Maco went on a rant on social media and claimed that he "paved the way" for Woods, whom he stated was "stealing [his] sauce". Maco implied there was no issue between the two, though Woods took offense to Maco mentioning fellow Atlanta rapper Reese LaFlare, with whom Woods was feuding.
In August, Woods attempted to assault LaFlare at Day N Night Fest after seeing him through a security barrier, though they were stopped by security.
In September, Maco and Woods resolved their feud.
In January 2018, Woods punched LaFlare in the face and bragged about it on Twitter, though they later deleted the tweet.
Rich the Kid
In early 2018, Woods tweeted that they were unhappy at DJ Drama's label, Generation Now.
Fellow rapper Rich the Kid replied to say that if Woods had signed to their label, Rich Forever Music, they would have never had that problem. Woods responded by stating that they would not sign to Rich's label for $20,000, implying this was the amount offered and that it was not enough.
Rich then replied that it would have been worth accepting the offer either way. Things escalated with disses on social media between the two.
In March 2018, Rich the Kid released a diss track on Woods titled "Dead Friends", a play on words of Woods' catchphrase in their hit single "XO Tour Llif3".
This was to be followed by Woods' track "Rich Forever", which would never see an official release. An incident occurred between the two at a Starbucks in June 2018, when Woods attempted to attack Rich but was stopped by security.
Satanism allegations
Woods has been accused of being a Satanist, originally by battle rapper Daylyt who claimed that Woods worshipped Satan.
It has also been noted that quickly saying "Lil Uzi Vert" sounds similar to "Lucifer".
In July 2018, Woods told a crowd of fans that they were "going to hell" with them.
In August 2017, Woods created controversy by adding satanic imagery to their social media accounts and saying phrases often associated with Satanism such as "666".
Woods at one point had promoted Satanism on their social media, which resulted in their Instagram access being taken from them by their record label.
In March 2023, Woods stated that references to Satan they make are figurative and not literal, and that they do not believe Satan exists.
