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Eternal Atake
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| Eternal Atake | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 6, 2020 | |||
| Recorded | 2018–2020 | |||
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| Genre | Hip-hop[1] | |||
| Length | 62:13 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
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| Lil Uzi Vert chronology | ||||
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| Alternate cover | ||||
Back cover | ||||
| Singles from Eternal Atake | ||||
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Eternal Atake is the second studio album by the American rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert. It was released through Generation Now and Atlantic Records on March 6, 2020. The album features a sole guest appearance from American singer Syd. The production was handled by Bobby Raps, Brandon Finessin, Bugz Ronin, Chief Keef, Oogie Mane, TM88, Wheezy, and others. It is their first project since their debut studio album, Luv Is Rage 2 (2017). The album was supported by the singles "Futsal Shuffle 2020" and "That Way", which later appeared as the album's bonus tracks.
A week later, on March 13, the deluxe version of the album, titled Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2 was released as a surprise album. The album served as a sequel to their third mixtape, Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World (2016), which was released four years earlier. The album features new guest appearances from American rappers Chief Keef, 21 Savage, Future, Young Thug, Gunna, Lil Durk, Young Nudy, and Nav. Eternal Atake received widespread acclaim from critics, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200, earning 288,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. The album earned 400 million US streams in its first week, which was the fourth-largest streaming debut at the time of its release.
Background
[edit]In July 2018, Lil Uzi Vert published two messages to Twitter, "Eternal Atake" and "Eternal means forever. Atake means 2 overtake", that were described as cryptic.[2] On July 31, 2018, which was also Lil Uzi's 24th birthday, they removed all posts from their Instagram profile except for two—a snippet of "New Patek" and the old cover art of Eternal Atake. On December 9, Lil Uzi confirmed that Eternal Atake had been finished and was set for release.[3]
On January 11, 2019, Lil Uzi announced via Instagram that they had "deleted everything" and were "done with music",[4] although many believed this could merely have been a publicity stunt and/or a promotional roll-out for the album.[5] On March 3, 2020, Lil Uzi revealed a new album cover on Twitter, after allowing fans to vote on the new cover.[6]
Composition
[edit]Eternal Atake marks a significant evolution in Lil Uzi Vert's sound, building on the melodic trap and emo rap foundations of their earlier works, Luv Is Rage (2015) and Luv Is Rage 2 (2017), while venturing into a more ambitious, futuristic, and conceptually driven sonic landscape.[1] Spanning 18 tracks over an hour, the album fuses pop-trap sensibilities with sci-fi-inspired production, characterized by glitchy synths, booming 808s, and video game-esque sound effects.[7] AllMusic highlights its "meticulous production and amplified energy", crediting the Philly-based production collective Working on Dying, alongside producers like Brandon Finessin, Bugz Ronin, Oogie Mane, and Supah Mario, for crafting beats that evoke a space opera aesthetic.[7] Tracks like "Homecoming" feature distorted percussion and synthesized horns, while "You Better Move" incorporates laser sound effects and samples from "Space Cadet 3D Pinball", creating a vivid, intergalactic atmosphere.[7][8]
The album is loosely structured around a sci-fi narrative of alien abductions and space travel, reflected in skits and Uzi's alter egos—Baby Pluto, Renji, and Uzi themselves—though the concept is secondary to the music's vibe.[9] Rolling Stone describes the album as divided into three six-song sides, each tied to a persona: Baby Pluto's aggressive flexes, Renji's vulnerable introspection, and Uzi's cosmic reflections.[10] This structure allows for dynamic shifts in tone, from the frenetic braggadocio of "Pop" and "Lo Mein" to the melancholic "I'm Sorry" and "Chrome Heart Tags", the latter featuring a Chief Keef-produced beat with haunting vocal samples and Flockaveli-esque drums.[1][10]
Uzi's vocal versatility is central to the album's appeal, seamlessly blending rapid-fire rapping, melodic crooning, and high-pitched ad-libs.[1] Pitchfork praises Uzi's improved technical prowess, citing "Silly Watch" and "You Better Move" for their relentless pace and clever pop culture references, like Blue Eyes White Dragon and Microsoft Zune.[1] Tracks like "Bigger Than Life" and "Celebration Station" showcase Uzi's ability to craft infectious hooks, with the former balancing a smooth yet frenzied refrain and the latter featuring playful lyricism ("And I can't do my dance 'cause my pants, they from France").[11] The Backstreet Boys interpolation on "That Way" transforms a pop classic into a trap banger, highlighting Uzi's knack for reimagining familiar sounds.[11]
Lyrically, Uzi remains focused on familiar themes: wealth, designer brands, cars, women, and heartbreak, but with richer detail and sharper wit.[1] Consequence highlights Uzi's humor, such as the quip about a Honda Accord on "Baby Pluto".[9] Emotional depth surfaces in tracks like "I'm Sorry" and "Urgency" (featuring Syd), where Uzi grapples with fame and failed relationships, though Consequence highlights the deluxe edition Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2 for lacking similar candor.[9] The album's only guest appearance, Syd on "Urgency", adds a soulful contrast to Uzi's chaotic energy.[8][12]
While Eternal Atake maintains a high-energy pulse, its hour-long runtime and occasional repetitiveness draw minor criticism.[11] AllMusic suggests it can "drag on" despite having no filler,[11] and NME calls it a "rambling but enjoyable mess".[12] Tracks like "P2", a rehash of "XO Tour Llif3", and slower cuts like "Prices" are seen as less essential.[8] Still, the album's bold production, Uzi's dynamic performance, and its cohesive yet eclectic vision cement it as a landmark in their discography, with Pitchfork and Rolling Stone hailing it as their best work for meeting sky-high expectations after years of label delays.[1][10]
Theme and artwork
[edit]Eternal Atake embraces a sci-fi and alien abduction theme, woven loosely through its music, skits, and visual presentation, creating a futuristic and otherworldly aesthetic.[11] On March 7, 2020, a fan on Twitter observed that the album's 18 tracks are divided into three six-song segments, each tied to a distinct persona of Lil Uzi Vert—Baby Pluto (tracks 1–6), Renji (tracks 7–12), and Lil Uzi Vert (tracks 13–18)—a structure Uzi confirmed,[13] describing that the first half represents taking off in a spaceship, while the second half depicts a cosmic journey.[13][9] This narrative, though not rigidly enforced, is reflected in the album's spacey production, with tracks like "Homecoming" and "You Better Move" incorporating video game samples and synthesized effects that evoke a galactic soundscape.[7][8] Rolling Stone describes the personas as guiding the album's emotional arc, from Baby Pluto's aggressive flexes to Renji's introspective vulnerability and Uzi's reflective cosmic musings.[10]
The album's artwork stirred significant attention and controversy. On July 13, 2018, Uzi revealed an initial cover art,[14] a reimagined version of the Heaven's Gate cult logo—infamous for the 1997 mass suicide of its members—featuring the words "Eternal Atake" inside a keyhole.[15][16][17] The two surviving Heaven's Gate members criticized the use, with a representative stating in an email that Uzi's adaptation was a "direct and clear infringement" of their copyrights and trademarks, hinting at potential legal action, though no further developments were publicly reported.[18][19] On March 2 and 3, 2020, Uzi pivoted by sharing three new cover art options on Twitter, engaging fans through polls to select the official artwork; the second cover was chosen, while the third was repurposed as the tracklist background and back cover for physical copies.[20] The final artwork, combined with Uzi's promotion of UFO-themed Bugattis and sci-fi imagery, reinforced the album's intergalactic branding, aligning with its ambitious sonic and thematic vision.[8]
Release and promotion
[edit]Lil Uzi Vert began teasing Eternal Atake with the release of a promotional single, "New Patek", on September 18, 2018.[21] On April 9, 2019, two additional promotional singles, "That's a Rack" and "Sanguine Paradise", were released.[22] The album was initially slated for release on July 19, 2019, but Lil Uzi Vert later expressed uncertainty about the release date, which was ultimately missed.[23] On November 30, 2019, Lil Uzi Vert announced via Twitter that the album's lead single would be a "dance record" titled "Futsal".[24] The single, released as "Futsal Shuffle 2020" on December 13, 2019, became the album's first official single.[25] The second single, "That Way", which interpolates the hook of Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way", was spontaneously released on March 1, 2020.[26]
On March 3, 2020, Lil Uzi Vert released a 2-minute short film titled "Baby Pluto",[27] directed by Gibson Hazard and Lil Uzi Vert, to tease the album's release.[27] During an Instagram Live session on February 28, 2020, Lil Uzi Vert announced that Eternal Atake would drop within two weeks, hinting at a possible March 13, 2020, release.[28] However, the album was unexpectedly released earlier on March 6, 2020.[29] The following day, March 7, Lil Uzi Vert announced a deluxe edition on Twitter,[30] confirming two tracks, "Bean (Kobe)" featuring Chief Keef and "Myron", both previously previewed on social media.[31][32] They also teased completed collaborations with Young Thug, Future, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, and Lil Baby.[33] The deluxe edition, titled Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2, was released on March 13, 2020.[34]
Critical reception
[edit]| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 84/100[35] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Consequence | B+[9] |
| Exclaim! | 7/10[7] |
| HipHopDX | 4.0/5[8] |
| NME | |
| Pitchfork | 8.4/10[a][1] |
| RapReviews | 6.5/10[37] |
| Rolling Stone | |
Eternal Atake was met with widespread critical acclaim. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 84, based on nine reviews.[35]
Writing for Consequence, M. T. Richards gave the album a favorable review, stating that "Eternal Atake splits the difference between P-Funk and electro. In an ironic twist of fate, the year's most futuristic rap album comes courtesy of someone who'd been dismissed as a relic". Richards further praises Uzi Vert's performance, saying that they sound "alert, refreshed, and sometimes thrilled" on the album.[9] In her review for NME, Kyann-Sian Williams praised the album, writing that Uzi had "made another record that will stay close to the hearts of a generation of rap fans. [They are] surely our generation's Lil Wayne".[12] Writing for Exclaim!, Kyle Mullin stated positive opinions regarding the album, praising the production as well as the transitions between songs. Mullin mentions that "Uzi nimbly switches from relatedly lovelorn speak-singing on 'Bust Me' to rugged, speedy punch line powerhouse on the very next track, 'Prices'. That transition is merely one of the energetic and unpredictable performative tricks Uzi pulls off on this stadium sized LP".[7] Scott Glaysher of HipHopDX said, "There is no denying Lil Uzi Vert's unconventional version of rap has been polarizing for the better part of the last five years yet Eternal Atake should be celebrated. [They maneuver] within the cockpit of [their] comfort zone, navigating a galaxy of different genres while keeping the essence of rap at the forefront".[8] Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork gave the album a positive review, saying that "The expectations were otherworldly. And somehow, Uzi met those expectations. Eternal Atake is Uzi's greatest album to date, a scope-defying hour-long epic that couldn't be made by anyone else".[1]
Fred Thomas of AllMusic saying "Even though it's a lengthy journey and some of the songs start to feel similar, nothing here is filler".[11] Danny Schwartz of Rolling Stone was also positive towards the album, stating that "It is difficult to remember a rap album released to such fervid expectations, let alone one that lived up to those expectations. Eternal Atake is Lil Uzi Vert's best album yet, with a cohesiveness, slick concept, and performance that justifies every ounce of hype".[10] In a mixed review, RapReviews critic Steve "Flash" Juon wrote the following: "If you absolutely can not stand rappers who should be called singers then you need to take a hard pass on Vert, but if you occasionally (or more often than that) enjoy the crooning, Vert is at least someone who can put it together in a way that is surprisingly decent and occasionally quite good."[37]
Rankings
[edit]| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | 23
|
|
| The 20 Best Rap Albums of 2020 | 4
|
||
| Complex | The Best Albums of 2020 | 3
|
|
| Consequence | Top 50 Albums of 2020 | 20
|
|
| The Fader | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | 49
|
|
| NPR Music | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | 9
|
|
| Pitchfork | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | 12
|
|
| Rolling Stone | The 50 Best Albums of 2020 | 8
|
|
| The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time | 143
|
||
| Time | The 10 Best Albums of 2020 | 5
|
|
| Uproxx | The Best Albums of 2020 | 4
|
|
| Vulture | The Best Albums of 2020 | 9
|
Industry awards
[edit]| Year | Ceremony | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | American Music Awards | Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop | Nominated | [50] |
| 2021 | Billboard Music Awards | Top Rap Album | Nominated | [51] |
Commercial performance
[edit]Eternal Atake debuted atop the US Billboard 200 dated March 21, 2020, with 288,000 album-equivalent units (including 9,000 pure album sales). The album earned 400 million US streams in its first week, which was the fourth-largest streaming debut at the time of its release. It is Lil Uzi Vert's second US number-one album.[52] The album remained at number one on the Billboard 200 in its second week with 247,000 album-equivalent units. It was sustained in part due to a deluxe edition which was released the following week.[53] Eternal Atake was the seventh best selling album of 2020 with 1.860 million album-equivalent units in the United States.[54]
Following its first week of availability, three songs from the album debuted in the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100, led by "Baby Pluto" at number six, "Lo Mein" at number eight and "Silly Watch" at number nine, making Lil Uzi Vert the fourth act to debut at least three songs in the Hot 100's top 10 simultaneously. The same week, they charted 20 total songs, including all 18 from Eternal Atake (16 of which debuted).[55]
Following its first day of release, Eternal Atake occupied every position within the top 20 on Spotify's US Top 50 chart, except three positions. The track "Baby Pluto" also dethroned Roddy Ricch's "The Box" from the top spot on the chart with over 3.3 million US streams, marking the first time the song descended from number one since late December 2019.[56]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Baby Pluto" |
|
| 3:30 |
| 2. | "Lo Mein" |
|
| 3:15 |
| 3. | "Silly Watch" |
| Supah Mario | 3:16 |
| 4. | "Pop" |
|
| 3:47 |
| 5. | "You Better Move" |
|
| 3:17 |
| 6. | "Homecoming" |
| Bugz Ronin | 3:34 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7. | "I'm Sorry" |
|
| 3:32 |
| 8. | "Celebration Station" |
|
| 3:15 |
| 9. | "Bigger Than Life" |
|
| 3:13 |
| 10. | "Chrome Heart Tags" |
| Chief Keef | 3:33 |
| 11. | "Bust Me" |
| Bugz Ronin | 3:14 |
| 12. | "Prices" | Harper | 3:53 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Urgency" (featuring Syd) |
| 3:01 | |
| 14. | "Venetia" |
|
| 3:09 |
| 15. | "Secure the Bag" |
| Bugz Ronin | 3:58 |
| 16. | "P2" |
| TM88 | 3:55 |
| 17. | "Futsal Shuffle 2020" (bonus track) |
|
| 3:19 |
| 18. | "That Way" (bonus track) |
|
| 3:32 |
| Total length: | 62:13 | |||
Notes
- "Pop" is stylized in all capital letters
Sample credits
- "You Better Move" contains elements of the video game Full Tilt! Pinball.[57]
- "Celebration Station" contains a sample from "Raindrops (An Angel Cried)", as performed by Ariana Grande.[58]
- "Prices" contains elements from "Way Back", written by Jacques Webster, Rogét Chahayed, Scott Mescudi, Kasseem Dean, Magnus Høiberg, Chauncey Hollis Jr., Brittany Hazzard, Carlton Mays Jr., and Mike Dean, as performed by Travis Scott; and an interpolation from "Hickory Dickory Dock".[59]
- "P2" contains a sample from "XO Tour Llif3", as performed by Lil Uzi Vert.[60]
- "Futsal Shuffle 2020" contains audio samples from Nardwuar and a live rendition of "Boredom", as performed by Tyler, the Creator.[61]
- "That Way" contains an interpolation from "I Want It That Way", written by Andreas Carlsson and Max Martin, as performed by the Backstreet Boys.[62]
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from official liner notes.[63]
- Chris Athens – mastering
- Kesha "K. Lee" Lee – mixing, recording
- Brendan Morawski – mixing (1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13–16, 18)
- Gina Vosti – mix engineering (1), mix assistance (2), engineering assistance (3, 4)
- Nathan Feler – engineering assistance (1)
- Montez Roberts – engineering assistance (4), recording assistance (15)
- Rodolfo "Fofo" Cruz – engineering assistance (4)
- Popnick – additional sounds (5)
- Anthony "Kaotic" Martinez – engineering assistance (5)
- Kam Krieger – engineering assistance (6)
- Chris Ku – engineering assistance (7)
- Jordan Franzino – engineering assistance (7)
- Wanmor – additional vocals (8, 9, 12, 13)
- The Ensemble – background vocals (8–13)
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[100] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[101] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[102] | Platinum | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[103] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[104] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format(s) | Edition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | March 6, 2020 | Standard | [105] | |
| March 13, 2020 | Deluxe: Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2 | [106] | ||
| October 30, 2020 | CD | [107] |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ The deluxe edition of Eternal Atake, Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2, was reviewed separately by Pitchfork writer Mehan Jayasuriya. The deluxe edition was awarded a score of 6.9/10.[36]
References
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- ^ Chin, Mallory (December 9, 2018). "Lil Uzi Vert Confirms 'Eternal Atake' Album Is Complete". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
- ^ Maicki, Salvatore (January 11, 2019). "Lil Uzi Vert says he's done with music and has "deleted everything"". The Fader. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
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- ^ a b c d e f Mullin, Kyle (March 9, 2020). "Lil Uzi Vert Eternal Atake". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on April 19, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
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- ^ a b c d e f Schwartz, Danny (March 10, 2020). "Lil Uzi Vert Goes into Interstellar Overdrive on 'Eternal Atake'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
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- ^ a b c d Williams, Kyann-Sian (March 12, 2020). "Lil Uzi Vert – 'Eternal Atake' review: this generation's Lil Wayne embarks on a dizzying odyssey of sound". NME. Archived from the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
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Eternal Atake
View on GrokipediaBackground and development
Recording process
The recording of Eternal Atake commenced in 2018 following the release of Lil Uzi Vert's debut album Luv Is Rage 2 and extended over approximately two and a half years, with the majority of sessions taking place in studios throughout Philadelphia, the artist's hometown.[13] Kesha Lee, who has engineered all of Uzi's projects since 2015, handled the primary recording duties and described the collaboration as having grown more streamlined over time, allowing for efficient vocal captures despite the project's length.[14] The production team drew heavily from the Working on Dying collective, with Brandon Finessin contributing to over half the tracks, alongside Oogie Mane, Supah Mario, TM88, and emerging producer Bugz Ronin, who shaped the album's futuristic, trap-infused sound.[15] Frequent leaks of demo material posed a major obstacle, compelling Uzi and the producers to discard compromised songs and generate replacements on short notice; Finessin noted that the team had to "make new music every time" due to the constant threat, including fake leaks that disrupted momentum.[15] Sessions often involved spontaneous collaborations, such as a January 31, 2019, gathering in a Philadelphia studio above the Voltage Lounge venue, where Uzi worked with Pi'erre Bourne after a local performance—though the output from that night, including input from Young Nudy, ultimately appeared on the album's deluxe edition.[16] Uzi declared the recording complete on May 12, 2019, during his set at Rolling Loud Miami, revealing he had finalized the final track just nights earlier after multiple prior delays tied to label disputes and creative revisions.[17]Conceptual origins
The conceptual origins of Eternal Atake stem from Lil Uzi Vert's fascination with extraterrestrial themes and UFO lore, particularly drawing inspiration from the Heaven's Gate cult, a 1970s UFO religion founded by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles that blended New Age spirituality with beliefs in ascending to a higher level via spacecraft.[18][19] The cult's 1997 mass suicide in San Diego, where 39 members sought to board a spaceship trailing the Hale-Bopp comet, resonated with Uzi as a metaphor for transcendence and escape from earthly constraints, influencing the album's narrative of abduction and cosmic journey.[20][21] Uzi articulated the core vision in a 2024 interview, stating, "I was really into Heaven’s Gate... It’s like a cult that believed they could leave Earth on a spaceship," which shaped the album's overarching story of personal abduction and interstellar exploration as a means of self-discovery and rebirth.[18] This concept evolved during the album's development, with Uzi aiming to immerse listeners in a surreal, otherworldly experience: "I wanted it to feel like you’re in space."[18] The theme extends Uzi's prior work, such as the spacey motifs in Luv Is Rage 2, but Eternal Atake formalizes it into a cohesive album arc portraying the rapper's "mysterious vanishing" and return, symbolizing artistic evolution amid personal and professional pressures.[22] Visual and narrative elements, including the original album artwork featuring a keyhole logo reminiscent of Heaven's Gate iconography, further embedded this inspiration, though it faced backlash from surviving cult members who viewed it as a misuse of their imagery, leading to alterations before release.[19][20] Collaborators like visual artist Gibson Hazard reinforced the aesthetic by incorporating 1970s sci-fi influences, such as crashed UFOs and beaming abductions, to create an immersive "specific visual world" aligned with Uzi's cosmic escapism.[22] This foundation not only defined Eternal Atake but set the stage for its 2024 sequel, continuing the abduction-return motif as an ongoing saga.[18]Music and lyrics
Musical style
Eternal Atake is characterized by a genre-fluid approach that blends elements of trap, emo, punk, and drill within the broader framework of hip-hop. Lil Uzi Vert employs a mix of aggressive, drill-influenced rapping and melodic crooning, creating a dynamic contrast between high-energy flows and introspective, auto-tuned melodies. This style draws from Atlanta trap's booming 808s and Chicago drill's relentless pacing, while incorporating emo and punk sensibilities for emotional depth and raw expression.[23][2][9] The album's production, primarily handled by the Philadelphia collective Working on Dying, features layered synths, spaced-out samples, and futuristic, dystopian soundscapes that evoke a sense of otherworldliness aligning with its sci-fi theme. Tracks like "Baby Pluto" open with plinking, battle-cry synths and heavy Auto-Tune, setting a tone of experimental trap, while "Silly Watch" maintains a breakneck pace with relentless hi-hats and booming bass. Other songs, such as "You Better Move," sample video game elements like Space Cadet 3D Pinball for a playful yet disorienting electronic edge, and "Chrome Hearts Tags" utilizes a Chief Keef-produced beat layered with hallucinogenic vocal effects. Producers including Oogie Mane and Supah Mario contribute to this innovative sound design, emphasizing melody and unconventional structures over traditional rap cadences.[14][2][23] Influences from artists like Young Thug, Playboi Carti, and Gunna inform Uzi's surrealist rap tendencies, merging tough, boastful lyrics with dreamy, cloud-like vibes. Punk and emo elements are evident in the nasal whine and angsty delivery reminiscent of Hayley Williams and Paramore, as well as the digitally decaying style popularized by Lil Wayne. This fusion pushes hip-hop boundaries, reimagining trends into a cohesive, hour-long epic that prioritizes Uzi's persona—flamboyant, emotionally raw, and forward-looking—without relying on pop or rockstar tropes.[9][2][14]Lyrical content
The lyrical content of Eternal Atake primarily revolves around themes of opulence, romantic entanglements, and personal triumph, often delivered through Lil Uzi Vert's signature melodic flows and ad-lib-heavy style. Uzi's verses frequently boast about material excess, referencing high-end fashion brands and luxury purchases as symbols of his elevated status, such as in "Silly Watch," where he raps, "She look good, but she wear Fashion Nova / Took her shoppin’, put her right in some Vetements," illustrating a dynamic of attraction tied to wealth and transformation through consumerism.[2] Similarly, "POP" amplifies this motif with an exuberant shopping spree narrative: "I went to the store and got me some Vetements / Pradas and Balenci’, Balenci’, Balenci’," emphasizing relentless brand obsession as a core expression of success.[2] Relationships emerge as a recurring emotional anchor, blending vulnerability with bravado amid fame's pressures. In "P2," Uzi explores themes of loyalty and emotional numbness in romantic challenges, reflecting on fractured partnerships and substance use.[24][25] Tracks like "Baby Pluto" extend this introspection, where Uzi positions himself as a "rockstar" navigating love's turbulence, incorporating lines that hint at self-doubt and relational strain beneath the surface glamour.[24] This emotional layering aligns with Uzi's intent to prioritize authentic lyrical expression, as he sought to make his voice and words "shine more than the actual beats" during the album's creation, according to producer Supah Mario.[14] A loose sci-fi undercurrent infuses the lyrics with otherworldly escapism, tying into the album's abduction narrative without overt dominance. Songs like "You Better Move" contribute to this through playful pop culture puns (e.g., references to Yu-Gi-Oh!'s Blue-Eyes White Dragon) and futuristic flair in its production.[2][24] Overall, these elements create a surrealist rap texture, blending traditional hip-hop bluster with dreamlike distortion, as noted in analyses of Uzi's style within a broader movement alongside artists like Young Thug.[9]Visual and thematic elements
Album artwork
The official artwork for Eternal Atake depicts Lil Uzi Vert standing prominently in the center of a vast, adoring crowd, with fans extending their arms toward him in a gesture of worship and unity. Many in the crowd hold signs reading "Uzi" and "Baby Pluto," emphasizing the rapper's stage names and his connection to his audience, while the composition conveys themes of fandom and elevation. The image uses a vibrant, high-contrast color palette dominated by reds, blacks, and whites to create a dramatic, almost cult-like atmosphere surrounding the artist.[26] Prior to finalizing this design, Lil Uzi Vert revealed three potential covers on March 3, 2020, allowing fans to vote on their favorite via social media, as a way to involve his supporters in the creative process. The selected artwork was the third option, created by one of three independent artists whom Uzi commissioned to provide fresh perspectives and opportunities in the industry. The other two designs included a jewel-themed graphic reminiscent of his single "Baby Pluto," featuring a multicolored raindrop diamond amid gold elements, and an intergalactic scene with three women on the moon waving at a spaceship above a technicolor Earth.[26] The album's visual rollout had earlier roots in controversy; an initial 2018 teaser artwork, featuring a keyhole emblem with "EA" initials, drew legal threats from surviving members of the Heaven's Gate cult for closely resembling their logo, leading Uzi to abandon that design.[27] This incident highlighted ongoing scrutiny over the project's thematic inspirations, though the final cover shifted focus to celebratory fan devotion without direct cult references.Thematic motifs
Thematic motifs in Eternal Atake revolve around extraterrestrial imagery and space exploration, serving as a metaphorical framework for Lil Uzi Vert's personal and professional struggles. The album employs UFOs and alien abductions as central symbols, representing the artist's entrapment under his record label's control and his subsequent quest for liberation. This narrative is reinforced through skits depicting spaceship abductions and cosmic journeys, framing the project as a sci-fi odyssey where Uzi transcends earthly constraints.[2] A key motif draws from the Heaven's Gate cult, a UFO religion that believed in ascension to a higher plane via extraterrestrial spacecraft. An early 2018 teaser artwork featured a keyhole logo reminiscent of Heaven's Gate's insignia, symbolizing a portal to otherworldly realms and tying into themes of transcendence and escape from mundane realities.[19][28] The album unfolds as a concept piece divided into three acts (tracks 1–6, 7–12, and 13–18), each embodying a distinct alter ego that advances the thematic arc. The first act, under the "Baby Pluto" persona, evokes aggressive, interstellar aggression with tracks like "Baby Pluto," using pulsating synths to mimic alien encounters. The second act shifts to the playful "Renji" identity—inspired by the Bleach anime character Renji Abarai—incorporating lighter, futuristic vibes that suggest evasion and adaptation. The final act reverts to Lil Uzi Vert's core self, culminating in themes of reclaimed autonomy, as seen in reflective cuts addressing fame, relationships, and substance use amid the cosmic backdrop.[29][30] These motifs extend to lyrical content, blending bravado with vulnerability—wealth and stardom portrayed as a "spaceship" high, contrasted by isolation and relational lows. The overarching journey motif, from abduction to freedom, mirrors Uzi's real-life management deal with Roc Nation in 2019 amid ongoing disputes with his label, infusing the album with autobiographical depth under its galactic veneer.[31][28][32]Release and marketing
Announcement and rollout
Lil Uzi Vert first teased the title of his second studio album, Eternal Atake, on July 17, 2018, through a series of cryptic tweets on Twitter (now X), where he posted phrases like "eternal" and "atake" without further context.[33][34] Two weeks later, on July 31, 2018, he shared potential album artwork on Instagram, featuring an image of a purple UFO that drew comparisons to the Heaven's Gate cult, prompting a cease-and-desist threat from the group on August 3, 2018.[34] The project's rollout faced immediate setbacks due to ongoing disputes with his label, Generation Now. On September 18, 2018, Uzi released "New Patek" as the presumed lead single, which sampled Playboi Carti's "Magnolia" and peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.[34][35] By December 8, 2018, he announced during a concert in Philadelphia that the album was complete, but no release date was set.[33] Tensions escalated on January 11, 2019, when Uzi posted on Instagram Stories that he was "done with music" and deleted his social media presence, citing frustrations with label clearances and payments; this retirement tease halted momentum and led to fan speculation about the album's fate.[33][36] In March 2019, amid leaks of several tracks, Uzi threatened to self-release the album on SoundCloud, further complicating the rollout.[34] He signed with Roc Nation for management on March 26, 2019, which helped resolve some issues, leading to the official release of leaked singles "Sanguine Paradise" and "That's a Rack" on April 9, 2019; the former went platinum and became a viral hit.[33][34] Progress stalled again until November 2019, when Uzi announced a December 6 release date on Instagram, only to delay it days later due to sample clearance problems.[32] The album's promotion resumed in late 2019 with the December 12 release of "Futsal Shuffle 2020," a high-energy track with a viral TikTok dance challenge that debuted at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.[33][36] On February 28, 2020, Uzi tweeted that Eternal Atake would arrive in two weeks, targeting March 13.[36] He followed with the single "That Way" on March 1, alongside a trailer and tracklist reveal on March 5.[32][1] However, Uzi surprise-dropped the 18-track album on March 6, 2020, midway through the day, catching fans off guard after over 19 months of anticipation and delays.[1]Singles and videos
Prior to the release of Eternal Atake, Lil Uzi Vert issued two promotional singles in April 2019. "That's a Rack," produced by Maaly Raw, was released on April 9, 2019, through Atlantic Records, featuring trap-infused beats and lyrics centered on wealth and excess.[37] An official music video, directed by Daps, followed on April 23, 2019, depicting Uzi performing amid a surreal scene of painted nude figures in an artistic homage to performance artist Yves Klein.[38] Similarly, "Sanguine Paradise," produced by Stoop Kid and Earl on the Beat, dropped the same day, April 9, 2019, with a melodic flow and spacey production aligning with the album's extraterrestrial theme.[37] Its music video, directed by Daps, premiered on July 3, 2019, portraying a horror-inspired narrative of Uzi in an underground vampire-like party, evoking Blade-style visuals.[39] The album's lead singles arrived closer to its March 6, 2020, launch. "Futsal Shuffle 2020," produced by Stoop Kid with samples from a 2018 Nardwuar interview with Lil Uzi Vert and a live performance of Tyler, the Creator's "Boredom," was released on December 12, 2019, emphasizing a danceable rhythm that inspired a viral TikTok challenge.[40][41] The accompanying music video, directed by Warren Fu, debuted on January 6, 2020, showcasing Uzi and dancers performing the song's signature shuffle in vibrant, neon-lit settings.[42] "That Way," produced by Super Mario and sampling the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way," followed on March 1, 2020, blending pop nostalgia with Uzi's auto-tuned delivery on themes of desire and relationships.[43] Unlike the prior singles, no official music video was produced for "That Way," though its cover art drew controversy for allegedly borrowing from another artist's design.[44] In promotion of Eternal Atake, Lil Uzi Vert released the short film BabyPluto on March 3, 2020, co-directed by Uzi and Gibson Hazard. This two-minute visual narrative explores Uzi's alter ego Baby Pluto being abducted by a UFO, incorporating snippets from the album's title track "Baby Pluto" and tying into the project's sci-fi motifs, serving as a thematic prelude to the full release.[45] No additional official music videos for other album tracks were issued at the time of launch, though the singles' visuals contributed to building anticipation amid the album's surprise drop.Critical response
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release on March 6, 2020, Eternal Atake received widespread acclaim from music critics, who praised Lil Uzi Vert's energetic delivery, innovative production, and ability to blend trap, drill, and melodic elements into a cohesive project.[46] The album holds a Metascore of 84 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 9 critic reviews, indicating "universal acclaim" overall.[46] Pitchfork awarded the album 8.4 out of 10 and designated it "Best New Music," hailing it as "Uzi’s greatest album to date, a scope-defying hour-long epic that couldn’t be made by anyone else."[2] Reviewer Alphonse Pierre commended the "seamless blend of drill-influenced rapping, melodic crooning, and beats that are aware of hip-hop’s trends, but stretch them to places unimaginable," particularly highlighting the production work by the Philadelphia collective Working On Dying, which contributed to its futuristic, immersive sound.[2] Pierre also appreciated Uzi's lyrical evolution, noting "richer detail" in tracks like "Bean (Kobe)" with vivid imagery such as "She look good, but she wear Fashion Nova/Took her shoppin’, put her right in some Vetements."[2] NME gave Eternal Atake a perfect five-star rating, describing it as a "dizzying odyssey of sound" inspired by Greek mythology and sci-fi themes, positioning Uzi as "this generation’s Lil Wayne."[47] The review lauded its sprawling nature and creative sampling, such as the "dizzying brain-buster" in "P2" that reworks elements from Uzi's earlier hit "XO Tour Llif3," while acknowledging it as a "rambling but enjoyable mess" due to clashing sounds like ominous hums in "Prices" and videogame effects in "Homecoming."[47] Critic Thomas Smith emphasized Uzi's status as a "modern great" who delivers on years of hype with tonal shifts from aggressive trap to glassy melodies in tracks like "Baby Pluto" and "Urgency."[47] Rolling Stone called the album "Lil Uzi Vert's best album yet," praising its cohesiveness, slick concept, and performance that justifies every ounce of hype. No numerical rating was assigned.[48] The New York Times portrayed Eternal Atake as providing "rowdy thrills," blending "old-fashioned bluster" with "flamboyant style exercise," and affirmed Uzi's role as a "tough talker and an in-the-clouds dreamer, a visual eccentric" who thrives beyond traditional gatekeepers in hip-hop.[9] Critic Jon Caramanica highlighted its immediate chart success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 288,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, mostly from streams, underscoring its cultural impact upon arrival.[9]Critical rankings and awards
Upon its release, Eternal Atake was included in numerous year-end best albums lists for 2020, reflecting its strong critical acclaim within the hip-hop landscape. Complex ranked it third on their list of the best albums of 2020, praising its fulfillment of high expectations through innovative production and cohesive energy.[49] Rolling Stone placed it at number eight on their list of the 50 best albums of 2020, highlighting its genre-shattering moments and Lil Uzi Vert's creative torrent. Pitchfork included it at number 12 on their 50 best albums of 2020 and later at number 78 on their 100 best albums of the 2020s so far, noting its loose extraterrestrial concept and freer execution compared to prior works. Other prominent publications also recognized the album's impact. Billboard featured it among their 50 best albums of 2020, emphasizing Lil Uzi Vert's return with a project that resonated amid anticipation. NPR listed it in their 50 best albums of 2020, underscoring its place alongside diverse genre offerings. The Ringer and Uproxx both included it in their best albums of the year selections, while Time magazine named it among the year's standout releases. In terms of awards, Eternal Atake received a nomination for Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop at the 2020 American Music Awards but did not win. The album was not nominated for any Grammy Awards in categories such as Best Rap Album.Commercial success
Chart positions
Eternal Atake debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, marking Lil Uzi Vert's second album to achieve this feat and earning 288,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.[7] It also topped the Billboard Canadian Albums chart for two consecutive weeks, with 17,000 units in its second week alone.[50] The album reached number one on the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia, becoming Lil Uzi Vert's first chart-topping release there.[51] Internationally, Eternal Atake peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart, marking the artist's highest position in that market at the time.[52] It entered the Dutch Album Top 100 at number two and the Danish Albums Chart at number four, reflecting strong streaming performance in Europe.[53][54]| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA) [55] | 1 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard) [56] | 1 |
| US Billboard 200 [57] | 1 |
| Danish Albums (Hitlisten) [58] | 4 |
| UK Albums (OCC) [59] | 3 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [60] | 2 |
[56]: https://ca.billboard.com/fyi/charts-march-22-2020
[57]: https://www.billboard.com/pro/lil-uzi-verts-eternal-atake-no-1-billboard-album-chart/
[58]: http://hitlisten.nu/default.asp?w=13&y=2020&list=a40
[59]: https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20200320/7502/
[60]: https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Lil+Uzi+Vert&titel=Eternal+Atake&cat=a
Sales and certifications
Eternal Atake debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, accumulating 288,000 album-equivalent units in its first week of release on March 6, 2020. This total comprised 278,000 streaming equivalent album units, 9,000 in pure traditional album sales, and 1,000 in track equivalent album units.[7] The album achieved rapid commercial success, reaching one million album-equivalent units in the United States by late June 2020. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on June 30, 2020, and later certified 3× Platinum in December 2024, recognizing shipments and streaming equivalents of 3,000,000 units.[61] Internationally, the album has received several certifications, including 2× Platinum by Music Canada (160,000 units) in 2021, Gold by IFPI Danmark (10,000 units) in 2020, Platinum by Recorded Music NZ (15,000 units) in 2021, and Silver by the BPI (100,000 units) in the UK in 2023.Track listing and credits
Standard edition tracks
The standard edition of Eternal Atake, released on March 6, 2020, through Generation Now and Atlantic Records, comprises 18 tracks that showcase Lil Uzi Vert's signature blend of trap beats, melodic flows, and futuristic themes inspired by space and excess. The album opens with high-energy anthems like "Baby Pluto" and "Lo Mein," transitioning into introspective cuts such as "I'm Sorry" and "No More," before closing with collaborative highlights including "Neon Guts" featuring Pharrell Williams and "Urgency" featuring Syd.[2][62]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Baby Pluto" | Woods · Veal · D. Perez | Brandon Finessin · OZ | 3:30 |
| 2 | "Lo Mein" | Woods · Veal · D. Perez | Brandon Finessin · OZ | 3:15 |
| 3 | "Silly Watch" | Woods · Priester | Supah Mario | 3:15 |
| 4 | "POP" | Woods · Veal · J. Ortiz | Brandon Finessin · Helluva | 3:47 |
| 5 | "You Better Move" | Woods · Veal · J. Ortiz · D. White | Brandon Finessin · Helluva · Gemineye | 3:16 |
| 6 | "Homecoming" | Woods · D. Jackson · M. Williams | DayWazy · Maaly Raw | 3:33 |
| 7 | "I'm Sorry" | Woods · Veal · D. Jackson · M. Williams | Brandon Finessin · DayWazy · Maaly Raw | 3:31 |
| 8 | "Celebration Station" | Woods · Veal · D. Jackson · M. Williams | Brandon Finessin · DayWazy · Maaly Raw | 3:15 |
| 9 | "Bigger Than Life" | Woods · Veal · D. Jackson · M. Williams | Brandon Finessin · DayWazy · Maaly Raw | 3:12 |
| 10 | "Chrome Heart Tags" | Woods · D. Kosiba · M. Williams | Maaly Raw · Chief Ooze | 3:32 |
| 11 | "Bust Me" | Woods · D. Kosiba · M. Williams | Maaly Raw · Chief Ooze | 3:14 |
| 12 | "Prices" | Woods · D. Kosiba · M. Williams | Maaly Raw · Chief Ooze | 3:53 |
| 13 | "Urgency" (featuring Syd) | Woods · K. Bertil · M. Williams | Maaly Raw · Kesha Lee · Wheezy · Bobby Raps | 3:01 |
| 14 | "Venetia" | Woods · D. Kosiba · M. Williams | Maaly Raw · Chief Ooze | 3:08 |
| 15 | "Secure the Bag" | Woods · D. Kosiba · M. Williams | Maaly Raw · Chief Ooze | 3:58 |
| 16 | "P2" | Woods · D. Kosiba · M. Williams · C. Montgomery | Maaly Raw · Chief Ooze · TM88 | 3:54 |
| 17 | "Futsal Shuffle 2020" | Woods · D. Kosiba · M. Williams · C. Montgomery | Maaly Raw · Chief Ooze | 3:18 |
| 18 | "That Way" | Woods · D. Kosiba · M. Williams | Maaly Raw · Chief Ooze · Supah Mario | 3:32 |
Deluxe edition additions
The deluxe edition of Eternal Atake, subtitled LUV vs. The World 2, was released on March 13, 2020, just one week after the standard version, expanding the project with 14 additional tracks. These new songs form a standalone sequel to Lil Uzi Vert's 2016 mixtape Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World, shifting from the original album's largely solo effort to include prominent collaborations that amplify its trap and melodic rap style.[8][65] The additions were announced via social media and positioned as a direct follow-up, blending high-energy beats with Uzi's signature auto-tuned flows and introspective lyrics on themes like success, relationships, and street life.[65] Unlike the standard edition's minimal features—limited to Syd on "Urgency" and Pharrell Williams on "Neon Guts"—the deluxe tracks incorporate eight guest artists, marking a collaborative pivot that enriches the project's diversity and replay value. Standout inclusions feature Chief Keef on the aggressive "Bean (Kobe)", 21 Savage on the bouncy "Yessirskiii", Future on the atmospheric "Wassup", and Young Thug and Gunna on the brief, vibe-heavy "Strawberry Peels". Other notable collaborations include Lil Durk on "No Auto", Young Nudy on "Money Spread", Young Thug solo on "Got the Guap", and Nav on "Leaders", showcasing Uzi's connections within Atlanta's rap scene and beyond.[65] These features were teased in the days leading up to release, building anticipation after the surprise drop of the base album.[8] The added tracks maintain Eternal Atake's futuristic, space-themed aesthetic while introducing more varied production, with shorter runtimes for several cuts to emphasize hooks over extended verses. Tracks like "Myron" and "Lotus" open the section with solo Uzi performances, setting a confident tone before diving into the ensemble pieces. This expansion not only doubled the album's length to 32 tracks but also boosted its commercial momentum, contributing to sustained chart dominance in its second week.[66]| No. | Title | Featured Artist(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Myron | 3:45 | |
| 2 | Lotus | 3:13 | |
| 3 | Bean (Kobe) | Chief Keef | 3:58 |
| 4 | Yessirskiii | 21 Savage | 3:39 |
| 5 | Wassup | Future | 3:13 |
| 6 | Strawberry Peels | Young Thug, Gunna | 1:55 |
| 7 | I Can Show You | 2:00 | |
| 8 | Moon Relate | 3:01 | |
| 9 | Come This Way | 2:52 | |
| 10 | Trap This Way (This Way) | 3:05 | |
| 11 | No Auto | Lil Durk | 2:15 |
| 12 | Money Spread | Young Nudy | 3:37 |
| 13 | Got the Guap | Young Thug | 2:56 |
| 14 | Leaders | Nav | 3:15 |
Production personnel
The production of Eternal Atake involved a collaborative team of producers, engineers, and other personnel, primarily assembled during Lil Uzi Vert's recording sessions in Los Angeles and elsewhere in 2019. Key producers included Brandon Finessin and Bugz Ronin, who contributed to multiple tracks, emphasizing trap-influenced beats with melodic elements characteristic of Uzi's style.[68] Other notable producers were TM88 on "P2," Wheezy and Bobby Raps on "Urgency," and Chief Keef on "Chrome Hearts Tags," bringing diverse influences from Southern trap to drill aesthetics.[68][64] Mixing and recording were led by Kesha "K. Lee" Lee, who handled much of the album's audio engineering and beat curation process, working closely with Uzi to refine the project's sound amid a large volume of material.[14] Brendan Morawski served as the primary mixing engineer for several tracks, including "Baby Pluto," "Lo Mein," "I'm Sorry," "Chrome Hearts Tags," "Bust Me," "Urgency," "Secure the Bag," "P2," and "That Way," while Gina Vosti contributed mix engineering on select songs like "Baby Pluto."[64] Chris Athens mastered all tracks, ensuring a polished, cohesive final product suitable for streaming platforms.[64] Additional production support came from figures like Oogie Mane on "POP" and "Bigger Than Life," Supah Mario on "Silly Watch" and "That Way," and Outtatown on "Celebration Station" and "Venetia," highlighting the album's reliance on up-and-coming beatmakers in the hip-hop scene.[68] The album's A&R was managed under Generation Now and Atlantic Records, with no specific individual credits publicly detailed beyond the core team.[64]| Role | Key Personnel | Notable Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Producers | Brandon Finessin (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9) | Co-produced multiple foundational tracks with trap and melodic elements.[68] |
| Bugz Ronin (tracks 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15) | Handled beats for introspective and high-energy songs; discussed creative process in interviews.[68][69] | |
| TM88 (track 16) | Produced "P2," incorporating signature 808 patterns.[68] | |
| Mixing Engineers | Brendan Morawski | Mixed 10+ tracks, focusing on clarity in layered vocals and production.[64] |
| Kesha "K. Lee" Lee | Oversaw recording and mixing; key in beat selection and session management.[14] | |
| Mastering Engineer | Chris Athens | Mastered entire album for consistent dynamics across 18 tracks.[64] |
Cultural impact and legacy
Influence on hip-hop
Eternal Atake played a pivotal role in expanding the boundaries of hip-hop by seamlessly blending elements of Atlanta trap, Chicago drill, emo, and punk, creating a genre-agnostic sound that challenged traditional rap conventions.[23] Lil Uzi Vert's approach on the album, featuring drill-influenced rapping alongside melodic crooning and trend-stretching beats, demonstrated hip-hop's limitless potential without needing to shatter established barriers for success.[2] This fusion not only highlighted Uzi's familiarity with structural predecessors like Meek Mill, G Herbo, and Chief Keef but also positioned the album as a surrealist evolution within rap, blending old-fashioned bluster with flamboyant, disorienting style exercises.[9][2] The album's production innovations, including futuristic beats, spaced-out samples, and heavy use of auto-tuned vocals, influenced subsequent trends in melodic rap and trap subgenres.[70] As a cornerstone of SoundCloud rap's transition to mainstream polish, Eternal Atake solidified Uzi's status as a pioneer, evolving the DIY ethos into high-impact, event-driven releases that prioritized flex raps and root-building production.[70][2] Its debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, driven by over 400 million first-week streams, underscored this shift, bypassing traditional gatekeepers and amplifying the internet era's role in rap's democratization.[23][9] Culturally, Eternal Atake contributed to redefining black masculinity in hip-hop through Uzi's gender-fluid fashion and direct fan engagement, drawing comparisons to innovators like Kanye West and Pharrell Williams for creative versatility.[23] The album's legacy endures as a landmark project, shaping the rap landscape that newer artists like Yeat navigate, with its experimental blueprint studied for its role in fostering emotional honesty and stylistic boundary-pushing in the genre.[70][18] By 2024, reflections on the album affirm its status as a masterclass in 2020s hip-hop, combining futuristic production with introspective themes that continue to inspire genre evolution.[71]Sequel and follow-ups
Lil Uzi Vert announced Eternal Atake 2 on October 24, 2024, via social media and a teaser video depicting an extraterrestrial theme, positioning it as the direct sequel to the 2020 album Eternal Atake.[72] The project serves as the rapper's fourth solo studio album and follows the 2023 release Pink Tape, marking a return to the space-inspired aesthetic of the original Eternal Atake.[72] The album was released on November 1, 2024, through Generation Now and Atlantic Records, comprising 16 tracks with production primarily handled by Cashmere Cat and Brandon Finessin, among others.[73][74] It features a single guest appearance by pop group Big Time Rush on the track "The Rush," emphasizing Uzi's experimental pop-rap fusion.[75] Lyrically, the record explores themes of fame, relationships, and escapism, with tracks like "Meteor Man" and "Paars In The Mars" evoking the futuristic sound of its predecessor.[76] Critically, Eternal Atake 2 received mixed reviews, praised for its high-energy beats and bold production but critiqued for lacking narrative depth and cohesion compared to Uzi's earlier work.[12] Rolling Stone noted the album's vibrant energy and collaborations, such as with Big Sean on select cuts, but highlighted repetitive elements and underdeveloped ideas as weaknesses.[12] Commercially, it debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with 59,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, marking Uzi's first studio album not to reach the top spot.[77] Following Eternal Atake 2, Lil Uzi Vert shared new music snippets, including "WASSUP MAALY" on November 11, 2024, signaling ongoing activity amid contract discussions.[78] By mid-2025, Uzi began teasing a forthcoming project, potentially Luv Is Rage 3—previously announced in 2023 as a return to early sound and possible final album—with summer release hints and social media previews.[79] In October 2025, celebrations marked the 10-year anniversary of Uzi's mixtape Luv Is Rage, reigniting fan interest in a potential Luv Is Rage 3.[80] However, in September 2025, Uzi stated they would not release new music that year. As of November 2025, no official follow-up album tied directly to the Eternal Atake series has materialized.[81][82]References
- Mar 6, 2020 · Rapper Lil Uzi Vert shocked his fans all around the world by surprise-releasing his new album Eternal Atake almost halfway through Friday, March 6.
- Mar 10, 2020 · It's a seamless blend of drill-influenced rapping, melodic crooning, and beats that are aware of hip-hop's trends, but stretch them to places ...
- Mar 6, 2020 · ” The record also features guest vocals from the Internet's Syd on “Urgency.” Eternal Atake is the highly anticipated follow-up to 2017's ...
- Mar 6, 2020 · 1. “Baby Pluto” · 2. “Lo Mein” · 3. “Silly Watch” · 4. “Pop” · 5. “You Better Move” · 6. “Homecoming” · 7. “I'm Sorry” · 8. “Celebration Station”.Missing: details - | Show results with:details -
- Mar 6, 2020 · The rollout for Lil Uzi Vert's perpetually delayed Eternal Atake has had almost everything: a coffee-shop brawl, a short-lived retirement, beef with the living ...
- Mar 10, 2020 · Eternal Atake is Lil Uzi Vert's best album yet, with a cohesiveness, slick concept, and performance that justifies every ounce of hype.
