Exploring Language In My Topic

How does my Blog Topic Interact with language?

Greetings all, if you do not recall from the previous post, my blog topic is centered around the career and artist of Lil Uzi Vert. Today, we will be exploring how my topic relates to language. For starters, just how does my topic interact with language? As Lil Uzi Vert is a musical artist, I believe that this is a topic which the interaction of language is an absolute foundation for Uzi’s artistry. For instance, Uzi uses slang and abbreviations as an interaction to connect to the youth and hip-hop communities. Terms such as “XO”, “GOAT” “LUV”, “opps“, etc. are ways he interacts with language because he uses these terms to add a relatability factor within his art. Additionally, Lil Uzi Vert is known for his various phrases and ad-libs that make him immediately recognizable through these words, and interacts with language because these catchphrases, and repeated sounds create a personal language of sorts. For example his adlib “ITS LIL UZI VERT” is one of his most iconic lines and creates an immediate understanding for all listeners. As previously mentioned in my past blog posts, Lil Uzi Vert is someone who likes to use allusions to captivate audiences and listeners, and so he also interacts with language that way. By using famous allusions to things like Japanese Media, other street culture, childhood cartoons, etc. he interacts with language through this literary device. It is ultimately through this which allows him to connect with the youth, and adults alike. On a personal note, I believe that he utilizes language and code-meshing in so many different ways effectively that allows him to be an artist that is effectively “genreless”, and not confined by the typical norms of hip-hop and rap.

Lil Uzi Vert at Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards via UPI

How is the Piece I Read Related to My Topic?

I read Vershawn Ashanti Young’s argument in his paper “Should Writers Use They Own English?” This paper related to my topic because I believe that the music that Lil Uzi Vert produces is a prime example of what young calls “Code Meshing.” In this paper, Young argued that both writers and speakers should be allowed to use dialects, slang etc. paired with standard English, instead of supporting the idea that only one form of English is correct. For instance, Young used evidence from Senator Chuck Grasskey, showing how he used words like “u”, “delivr” and “WKEND”. He also shows how the word “Punked”, stemming from Black culture ended up becoming a common word used in media today.

Image via North Star News

Likewise, Lil Uzi Vert and his music uses language in a similar way. For example, his song title like “XO Tour Llif3” and album title “Luv is Rage” replace standard English spelling, using the number three in replacement of “E” and the word “Luv” (LUV also stands for Lil Uzi Vert) in replacement of “Love”. In famous songs like “Money Longer“, Uzi uses hip hop terms related to money, fashion, and status, signifying his newly acclaimed success, while utilizing ad-libs and repeated phrases that make the song and its language used memorable. While many think that the use of improper language in this manner weakens his music, it instead strengthens it because these choices in language allow Lil Uzi Vert to connect with all kinds of people, whether they understand the music or not. Additionally, these choices are what give him an extremely recognizable voice, tone and help his listeners understand his personality and cultural background.

In addition, the online presence of Lil Uzi vert’s music is huge as well. A common staple song of his “Just Wanna Rock”, spread through TikTok and other social media, where users recreate his vocal style, dances, words, phrases, etc. Fans often use his words as captions, memes, and reaction posts. This supports Young’s argument because this is a good example as to how language can change when communities and communication styles that differ collide. The music that Lil Uzi Vert produces is a prime example as to how the language being used both in his music and online on social media are not necessarily language that is “Incorrect”. Instead, they are factors that help people build their own dialectical identity, connect people together, and influence the way people communicate for the better.