"This is where his career dies" - Fans divided over Lil Uzi Vert signing with Roc Nation Distribution

Rapper Lil Uzi Vert recently announced their partnership with Roc Nation Distribution, kicking off the news by releasing two new singles. The rapper, who uses they/them pronouns, was previously signed to Atlantic Records. On November 24, 2025, they revealed that they had signed with Roc Nation Distribution, becoming the third artist to be partnered with both Roc Nation and Roc Nation Distribution after Jay-Z and Rihanna.

A press release stated that the 31-year-old rapper will now “fully own their masters." In a statement to Complex, Roc Nation Distribution President Krystian Santini added:

“Uzi is a global icon and a dynamic force in the music industry, so we’re thrilled to work together with them in this new capacity. Our partnership is centered around empowering Uzi to continue building their legacy, with full creative control and the resources to take their artistry to new heights.”

News of Uzi signing with Roc Nation Distribution was met with divisive responses from netizens on X, with one user speculating that the move might kill their career.

"I think this is where his career dies. I don’t see nothing good coming from Jay."

Several netizens shared similar feelings, claiming that the rapper sold their soul to Roc Nation.

Meanwhile, others seemed excited about the partnership, suggesting that Uzi was going to dominate the rap game again.

Lil Uzi Vert signed a deal with Roc Nation in 2019

In March 2019, Lil Uzi Vert signed a management deal with Roc Nation following a dispute with their record label, DJ Drama's Generation Now, an imprint of Atlantic Records.

The rapper, who had accused their record label of blocking them from releasing their sophomore album Eternal Atake, reportedly enlisted Roc Nation's legal team to help renegotiate their contract with Generation Now. Additionally, they released the song Free Uzi on the same day the news about their management deal with Jay-Z's company went public.

During a 2022 appearance on the New Rory & Mal podcast, DJ Drama hit back at the claims that Roc Nation "saved" Lil Uzi Vert's career, saying:

“Generation Now, we had amazing success with Lil Uzi Vert. We’re in a great space. One of the reasons why it was a tough spot for us is because Vert’s success was our success. Even with the Roc Nation situation, like Roc Nation was put in the media as if they saved Lil Uzi Vert’s career," he said.

He continued:

"It was a ‘Free Uzi’ campaign. ‘Roc Nation, save Lil Uzi.’ Save him from who? “We didn’t do nothing wrong by that kid. All we did was help make him a f**king superstar.”

On November 24, 2025, Lil Uzi Vert released two tracks in addition to announcing their partnership with Roc Nation Distribution. According to Billboard, the first song, titled Chanel Boy, was produced by ZeeGoinXrazy and accompanied by a music video, which featured the rapper showing off his Chanel drip.

The second song, titled Relevant, was released hours after Chanel Boy. The Philadelphia rapper aimed to reaffirm their status as an influential emcee, rapping:

"How you say I'm irrelevant when I'm the reason these n***as is relevant? (Woah)."

Lil Uzi Vert, whose real name is Symere Bysil Woods, released their latest studio album, Eternal Atake 2, on November 1, 2024, through Generation Now and Atlantic Records.

Edited by Juhi Marzia