Symere Woods (born July 31, 1994), better known by his stage name Lil Uzi Vert, is an American hip hop recording artist. He gained recognition after releasing his debut single, Money Longer, his third mixtape Luv is Rage and his fourth mixtape Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World. Uzi signed a record deal with Generation Now and Atlantic Records. Career Uzi's rapping sk**s were first noticed by Don Cannon, who heard one of Uzi's songs on the radio. Cannon then contacted WUSL, who enabled Cannon to contact Uzi. Cannon then referred Uzi to DJ Drama.[2][3] That same year,[when?] Uzi signed a record deal with DJ Drama, Don Cannon and Leighton Morrison's company Generation Now and Atlantic Records.[1] Uzi gained attention after being featured on Carnage's single "WDYW" with ASAP Ferg and Rich The Kid in 2015. Uzi then released his third mixtape Luv is Rage on December 18, 2015, with productions from Don Cannon, FKi, Sonny Digital, TM88, DP Beats, Maaly Raw and more, and guest features from Wiz Khalifa and Young Thug. On April 15, 2016, Uzi released his fourth mixtape Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World with production from Don Cannon, Metro Boomin, WondaGurl, M-TRAX and more, with the cover art designed by Fvrris.[4] He was named as one of the ten 2016 XXL Freshmen on June 13, 2016.[5] On July 31, 2016, Uzi released his fifth mixtape The Perfect Luv Tape on his 22nd birthday.[6] Musical style Complex has called Uzi "one of those names to pay attention to in 2016"[7] and Spin wrote "the 22-year-old has solidified his spot as one to watch...[with] his signature rapid delivery".[8] Noisey calls him "articularly charismatic", a "natural entertainer" who is "for better or for worse, yanking people into the future".[9] Influences In an interview with Complex, Lil Uzi Vert stated his influences are ASAP Rocky, Marilyn Manson, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa and the Ying Yang Twins.