Photos by Vito Ingerto
When they’re not breaking the internet with releases or collaborating with some of the biggest names in hip hop, Philly’s own Lil Uzi Vert is touring the world bringing their unique spin on hip hop to the masses. They opened their Pink Tape Tour at the Armory Saturday night for a powerful night of music for a sold out crowd.
Since their first underground release Purple Thoughtz Vol.1, Vert’s style has been described as psychedelic and trippy, with a machine gun like delivery. Befriended by the ASAP Mob, collaborations soon followed. This lead to a deal with Atlantic Records that sent The Real Uzi release out into the world. But it would take the release of Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World in 2016 before Vert would really blow up. He was named part of XXL’s 2016 Freshman Class with what have become pretty heavy names in hip hop, Lil Yachty, 21 Savage, Denzel Curry and Kodak Black. Their collaborations have been legendary and endless, all leading up to their current release Pink Tape.
There was no denying the show was going to be a huge production, the stage was covered with props with an anime theme as DJ P For Real got the crowd warmed up for the show.
The crowd took the announcement “Make some noise for Lil Uzi Vert” to heart, and the reaction was electric when the singer appeared. They opened with a tune off of Pink Tape, “Suicide Doors”. With elements of rock throughout, this is the kind of tune that would get you a speeding ticket on the open highway. It definitely had the Armory firing on all cylinders. Vert then threw the Armory into a frenzy when they broke out “NFL” for the first time ever played live. They kept the hits from Pink Tape coming “Of Course” came next, and while they have been performing this one for years, this version was amped to the max. During “x2” you could tell the Armory was filled with hard core fans, as they seemed to know every single word.
Lil Uzi Vert has a cosmopolitan style, and is creating quite a legacy for themselves after almost a decade of performing. He really seemed like he was having a blast as he commanded the stage Saturday night. Bass ruled the night, you could literally feel it hit you right in the chest. Vert’s unique delivery style, sometimes rapid fire, sometimes slowed down, carried well over the drum tracks. The biggest crowd response came when they broke out “Money Longer”, one of the tunes that rocketed Uzi int the stratosphere. There was plenty of dancing too, particularly during “XO Tour Lif3”. If this first show is any indication, the Pink Tape Tour is going to be an explosive experience for fans across the country.
