by Cameron Smith
First announced in 2018, Lil Uzi Vert’s “Eternal Atake” has seen it’s fair share of controversy. Since its announcement, Lil Uzi Vert has: announced his retirement from music; released an album cover that resembles to the Heaven’s Gate Cult logo; legal feuds with the Heaven’s Gate Cult and announced his return to music.
It’s beyond fair to say that this album has seen its share of anticipation. After nearly 19 months, Uzi’s 2nd studio album, “Eternal Atake,” was released in March 2020. Fans and artists could not contain their excitement and joy for Lil Uzi Vert.
The powerhouse album delivered more than an hour of new music centered around synths, futuristic sounds and dizzy rap lyrics. Songs such as “Homecoming” display the rapper’s clever wordplay and creative, artistic flare.
“Yeah, ever since Clifford, yeah, Uzi been the big dog / Drippin’ in this Ragu, you know I got the big sauce / Every outfit, yeah, I got to get the pic’ off / Said I know, I know you gon’ return to the big boss”
However, one album simply was not enough for the Philadelphia rapper. “Eternal Atake (Deluxe): LUV vs The World 2” was released a week later. A quick glance at the track list, shows how the album already distinguishes itself from “Eternal Atake.” While “Eternal Atake” contains 18 songs and one feature from singer/songwriter Syd, “LUV vs the World 2” adds an additional 14 tracks. Of the 14 tracks, seven include features from rappers Chief Keef, 21 Savage, Future, Young Thug, Gunna, Lil Durk, Young Nudy and NAV.
With “LUV vs the World 2,” Uzi is clearly going back to his roots. “LUV vs the World 2” is 2016 brought into 2020. The fun and infectious lyrics and melodies are reminiscent of his 2016 run. The gleeful atmosphere and sense of no worries run through these 14 tracks. The consistent lyrical content is still apparent and superior to any of his previous work. Tracks such as “Strawberry Peels (featuring Young Thug & Gunna)” display Uzi’s creative mindset while paying homage to “Family Matters” actor Jaleel White, who plays the infamous Steve Urkel.
“Construction man, runnin’ right through these drills / I cannot breathe ’cause there’s ice on my gills / She give me brain, that’s that Urkel and chill / She mixed with white, told her my name Jaleel”
While tracks such as “Myron” display Uzi’s quick wits and clever word play, Uzi uses the famous bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde as the names for his two firearms.
“Your girl’s a five, but your mom is a dime piece (Ayy) / And your auntie, her name is Miss Connie (Miss Connie) / I got one Glock, his name Clyde, the other one named Bonnie (Let’s go).”
The bottom line on “Lil Uzi Vert vs the World 2” is that it fills its role perfectly. It’s beyond entertaining and has great replay value as a fun trap album with a ton of great beats supplied by Pierre Bourne and Oogie Mane. Hopefully, it isn’t another 19 months until there is another release from Lil Uzi Vert. However, if it comes out as well balanced and beautiful as “LUV vs the World 2,” I will gladly wait. I give “Eternal Atake: LUV vs the World 2” a 9.2/10.
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