Luv Is Rage 2 Explained

Luv Is Rage 2
Type:studio
Artist:Lil Uzi Vert
Cover:Luv Is Rage 2 cover.jpg
Alt:Lil Uzi Vert in black and white, holding up a peace sign. A polar bear is on their back and they are surrounded by white doodles that refer to the album and its tracks. Two strips of light blue tape overlay the cover art, intersecting at the top.
Genre: Hip hop
Length:56:13
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Luv Is Rage 1.5
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:Eternal Atake
Next Year:2020

Luv Is Rage 2 is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert. It was released through Generation Now and Atlantic Records on August 25, 2017. The album features guest appearances from The Weeknd, Oh Wonder, and Pharrell Williams. Production was handled by a variety of record producers, including Lil Uzi Vert themself, Cubeatz, Don Cannon, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Illmind, Maaly Raw, Metro Boomin, Pharrell Williams, The Weeknd, Pi'erre Bourne, TM88, WondaGurl, and among others. The album serves as a successor to their third extended play, Luv Is Rage 1.5 (2017), and their debut commercial mixtape, Luv Is Rage (2015). Luv Is Rage 2 was supported by three singles: "XO Tour Llif3", "The Way Life Goes" and "Sauce It Up".

Luv Is Rage 2 was met with generally positive reviews, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 135,000 album-equivalent units, of which 28,000 were pure album sales. On March 19, 2019, the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Background

In November 2016, Lil Uzi Vert initially announced Luv Is Rage 2 that would suffer from numerous delays amid confusion.[1] [2] In February 2017, Lil Uzi released an extended play (EP), Luv Is Rage 1.5 containing four tracks for streaming on SoundCloud. It serves as a prequel for Luv Is Rage 2; as well as Uzi previewing snippets of those songs online throughout the whole year.[3] In July 2017, DJ Drama and Don Cannon premiered five songs on their Shade 45 radio show, which were not to be included on the album.[4] [5] On August 24, 2017, Lil Uzi unexpectedly announced the release of Luv Is Rage 2 a day before release via social media, including the cover art and track listing.[6]

Release and promotion

Luv Is Rage 2 was released on August 25, 2017, for streaming and digital download.[7] [8] The deluxe edition of the album was released on November 17, 2017, and included four bonus tracks: "Skir Skirr", "Loaded", "Diamonds All on My Wrist" and "20 Min".[9] The album was released a few days later in Japan, with two additional tracks: "Money Longer" and "Do What I Want", both originally featured on Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World and The Perfect LUV Tape, respectively.

Singles

"XO Tour Llif3" was released for free streaming as the album's lead single on March 24, 2017. The song was originally included on Lil Uzi's prequel extended play (EP), Luv Is Rage 1.5 (2017). The song was produced by TM88 and JW Lucas.[10] [11] The song peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100.[12]

"The Way Life Goes" was released as the album's second single to urban contemporary radio on October 3, 2017.[13] The remix to the single was released on November 3, 2017, with a guest appearance from Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj.[14] [15]

"Sauce It Up" was released as the album's third single to urban contemporary radio on February 27, 2018.[16]

Critical reception

Luv Is Rage 2 was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 75, based on eight reviews.

Scott Glaysher of XXL gave a positive review, stating "Despite the long-winded nature of the album, Uzi definitely got it right with Luv Is Rage 2. The songs are catchy, the beats are hot and Uzi gives a vocal performance that redefines the term rap rock star". Hip hop website HotNewHipHop stated that "Uzi is changed a person now, more weary of the world, less naively cheerful, and this is reflected on Luv Is Rage 2. If [they do] have a heart, it may soon be blackened. Uzi is feeling vindictive, rather than just being "happy to be here" (as [they were] on Luv Is Rage), [they're] looking, now, for admiration and acknowledgement that's deserved of [them]". Dan Weiss of Consequence said, "Nearly every song on Luv Is Rage 2 comes with a distinct enough hook to break up the limited set of things it does and subjects it ponders". In his review, Aaron McKrell of HipHopDX states, "Luv Is Rage 2 is proof that Lil Uzi Vert is simply an artist who succeeds in making music [they love], for people that hold tightly to [Uzi's] carpe-diem attitude". Corrigan B of Tiny Mix Tapes said, "The breadth of sounds covered will scan as inconsistency to all but the most pious Uzi devotees, but it's hard to imagine anything else serving as a more comprehensive document of rap in 2017".

Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic said, "Although Uzi's post-breakup pain rears its head throughout the entirety of the album, many of the tracks are too fun to get too bogged down in emotions". Paul Thompson of Pitchfork stated that Luv Is Rage 2 is Lil Uzi Vert's "most musically developed work and features a bulk of [their] most interesting songs to date", as well as commending the subject matter and production, concluding: "Whether [they're] full of joy or howling into the void, [Uzi] pushes [their] songs to their edge, which helps to deliver on the promise shown in [Uzi's] earlier work. We knew Lil Uzi Vert would become one of rap's biggest stars, but Rage 2 suggests that [they] may spend [their] time on top experimenting rather than retreating to a comfort zone." Steve "Flash" Juon of RapReviews wrote: "As for today's singing rappers, Vert fits in comfortably next to the likes of Fetty Wap and French Montana, and I have little qualms with calling [Uzi] a better writer than the latter. The production is a little bit more of a mixed bag." In a mixed review, Sputnikmusic's Robert Lowe stated: "A lot of tracks start off OK, but [Uzi's] flow and style are so unfocused and muddled the songs become a chore to sit through."

Year-end lists

Publication! scope="col" class="unsortable"
ListRank
BillboardBillboards 50 Best Albums of 2017
ComplexThe Best Albums of 2017
NoiseyThe 100 Best Albums of 2017
Rap-UpRap-Ups 20 Best Albums of 2017

Commercial performance

Luv Is Rage 2 debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 135,000 album-equivalent units, of which 28,000 were pure album sales.[17] In its second week on the chart, Luv Is Rage 2 moved another 73,000 units bringing the total sales to 208,000.[18] On March 19, 2019, the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales, streaming and track-sale equivalents of two million units.

The album also entered at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart, selling 3,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.[19]

Track listing

Notes

Sample credits

Personnel

Credits were adapted from the album's liner notes and Tidal.[20]

Performers

Technical

Production

Additional personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart performance for Luv Is Rage 2
Chart (2017)Peak
position
Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)[22] 47
US Billboard 2001

Year-end charts

Chart (2017)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[23] 41
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[24] 17
Chart (2018)! scope="col"
Position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[25] 32
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[26] 92
Icelandic Albums (Plötutíóindi)[27] 89
US Billboard 200[28] 16
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[29] 12
Chart (2019)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[30] 58
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[31] 27
Chart (2020)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[32] 74
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[33] 41
Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[34] 80
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[35] 51
Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[36] 74
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[37] 38
Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[38] 91
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[39] 67

Decade-end charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for Luv Is Rage 2
RegionDateLabelFormatEditionRef.
VariousAugust 25, 2017Standard[41]
November 17, 2017Deluxe
December 8, 2017Cassette[42]
JapanDecember 20, 2017Warner Music JapanCD[43]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lil Uzi Vert Continues To Tease 'Luv Is Rage 2'. HotNewHipHop. December 15, 2016 . March 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180302164335/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-uzi-vert-continues-to-tease-luv-is-rage-2-news.26359.html. March 2, 2018. live.
  2. Web site: Lil Uzi Vert Reveals 'Luv Is Rage 2' Mixtape Is on the Way. HipHopDX. November 27, 2016 . March 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180302164616/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.41439/title.lil-uzi-vert-reveals-luv-is-rage-2-mixtape-is-on-the-way. March 2, 2018. live.
  3. Web site: Lil Uzi Vert – Luv Is Rage 1.5 (New Mixtape). HotNewHipHop. May 11, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170504030358/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-uzi-vert-luv-is-rage-15-new-mixtape.116904.html. May 4, 2017. live.
  4. Web site: So What's Really Going on With Lil Uzi Vert's 'Luv Is Rage 2'?. Complex. July 25, 2017. August 24, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170824092540/http://www.complex.com/music/2017/07/whats-going-on-with-lil-uzi-vert-luv-is-rage-2. August 24, 2017. live.
  5. Listen to Five New Songs From Lil Uzi Vert, Including Young Thug Collab. Billboard. March 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180519192929/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7874134/lil-uzi-vert-new-songs-young-thug. May 19, 2018. live.
  6. Web site: Lil Uzi Vert Dropping 'Luv Is Rage 2' Tonight. HotNewHipHop. August 24, 2017 . March 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180302164235/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-uzi-vert-dropping-luv-is-rage-2-tonight-news.36647.html. March 2, 2018. live.
  7. Web site: Lil Uzi Vert 'Luv Is Rage 2' Stream. Spin. Arcand. Rob. August 24, 2017. July 14, 2020. https://archive.today/20200714105458/https://www.spin.com/2017/08/lil-uzi-vert-luv-is-rage-2-stream/. July 14, 2020.
  8. Web site: Here's Lil Uzi Vert's Debut Album 'Luv Is Rage 2'. Complex. Ortiz. Edwin. August 24, 2017. July 14, 2020. https://archive.today/20200714105809/https://www.complex.com/music/2017/08/lil-uzi-vert-luv-is-rage-2-stream. July 14, 2020.
  9. Web site: Lil Uzi Vert Shares Four New Songs On Deluxe Edition Of 'Luv Is Rage 2'. HotNewHipHop. Goddard. Kevin. November 17, 2017. July 14, 2020. https://archive.today/20200714111126/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-uzi-vert-shares-four-new-songs-on-deluxe-edition-of-luv-is-rage-2-news.39675.html. July 14, 2020.
  10. Web site: Goddard. Kevin. Lil Uzi Vert – XO Tour Lif3 (Prod. By TM88). HotNewHipHop. March 24, 2017. September 22, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170923002510/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-uzi-vert-xo-tour-lif3-prod-by-tm88-new-song.1973415.html. September 23, 2017. live.
  11. Web site: XO TOUR Llif3 – Single by Lil Uzi Vert on Apple Music. iTunes Store. August 24, 2017. bot: unknown. https://web.archive.org/web/20170621184412/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/xo-tour-llif3-single/id1218417564. June 21, 2017.
  12. Lil Uzi Vert Chart History: Hot 100. Billboard. August 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180830083359/https://www.billboard.com/music/lil-uzi-vert/chart-history/hot-100. August 30, 2018. live.
  13. Web site: Urban/UAC Future Releases. All Access Music Group. October 4, 2017. bot: unknown. https://web.archive.org/web/20171004035502/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases. October 4, 2017.
  14. Web site: Breihan. Tom. Lil Uzi Vert – "The Way Life Goes (Remix)" (Feat. Nicki Minaj). Stereogum. November 3, 2017. November 21, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040241/https://www.stereogum.com/1970351/lil-uzi-vert-the-way-life-goes-remix-feat-nicki-minaj/music/. December 1, 2017. live.
  15. Web site: The Way Life Goes (Remix) [feat. Nicki Minaj] – Single by Lil Uzi Vert on Apple Music]. iTunes Store. November 3, 2017. bot: unknown. https://archive.today/20171104020140/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-way-life-goes-remix-feat-nicki-minaj-single/id1305433071. November 4, 2017.
  16. Web site: Urban/UAC Future Releases. https://web.archive.org/web/20180226070416/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases. dead. February 26, 2018. All Access Music Group. February 26, 2018.
  17. Lil Uzi Vert's 'Luv Is Rage 2' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart. Billboard. Caulfield. Keith. September 3, 2017. September 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170904015107/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7950042/lil-uzi-vert-luv-is-rage-2-debuts-no-1-on-billboard-200-albums-chart. September 4, 2017. live.
  18. Caulfield. Keith. LCD Soundsystem Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'American Dream'. Billboard. September 10, 2017. September 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170913012357/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7957890/lcd-soundsystem-james-murphy-no-1-album-billboard-200-chart. September 13, 2017. live.
  19. Web site: Official Charts Analysis: Queens Of The Stone Age debut at No.1 on albums chart. Music Week. September 1, 2017. September 1, 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170901194838/http://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-queens-of-the-stone-age-debut-at-no-1-on-albums-chart/069655. September 1, 2017.
  20. Web site: Credits / Luv Is Rage 2 (Deluxe) / Lil Uzi Vert. Tidal. July 14, 2020.
    – Luv Is Rage 2. CD liner notes. Lil Uzi Vert. Atlantic Records. 2017.
  21. Web site: Lil Uzi Vert Accused Of Jacking Beat From Twitter Troll Beats By Saif. HipHopDX. Wallace. Riley. September 1, 2017. March 13, 2020.
  22. Web site: Top 100 Slovak Albums. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. August 11, 2024.
  23. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2017. Billboard. December 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171224115207/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/top-billboard-200-albums. December 24, 2017. live.
  24. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2017. Billboard. June 12, 2020.
  25. Canadian Albums – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181205062654/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/top-canadian-albums. December 5, 2018. live.
  26. Web site: Album Top-100 2018. Hitlisten. da. January 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190116100303/http://hitlisten.nu/2018_album_t100.html. January 16, 2019. live.
  27. Web site: Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2018. Plötutíóindi. is. January 3, 2022.
  28. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181204224411/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/top-billboard-200-albums. December 4, 2018. live.
  29. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2018. Billboard. June 12, 2020.
  30. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019.
  31. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2019. Billboard. June 12, 2020.
  32. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2020. Billboard. December 4, 2020.
  33. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2020. Billboard. December 15, 2020.
  34. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 3, 2021.
  35. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 3, 2021.
  36. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
  37. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
  38. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 23, 2023.
  39. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 23, 2023.
  40. Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200. Billboard. January 31, 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200930183821/https://www.billboard.com/charts/decade-end/billboard-200 . September 30, 2020.
  41. Web site: Luv Is Rage 2 by Lil Uzi Vert on Apple Music. Apple Music. August 24, 2017. https://archive.today/20200811102843/https://music.apple.com/us/album/luv-is-rage-2/1274150514. August 11, 2020.
  42. Web site: Lil Uzi Vert – Luv Is Rage 2 Limited Cassette Tape. Urban Outfitters. November 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171109081432/https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/lil-uzi-vert-luv-is-rage-2-limited-cassette-tape. November 9, 2017. live.
  43. Web site: Luv is Rage 2. CDJapan. September 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180915155206/http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/WPCR-17873?s_ssid=e44955b9cdb53ef90. September 15, 2018. live.