It would’ve been nice if I got a little warning to take a seat and put down my drink before I saw how much a Luv Is Rage 2 vinyl would set me back.
Unfortunately, you’re not likely to find any mention of how insanely expensive it got since its release in 2018, much less an explanation. So, why is Luv Is Rage 2 vinyl so expensive?
The most straightforward reason Luv Is Rage 2 vinyl is so expensive is the fact that there are only 3,000 of it in the world.
If you dig a little deeper, you’ll start to see why this album is iconic and deserves its own spot in your collection—if you can afford it, that is!
Why Is Luv Is Rage 2 Vinyl So Expensive
Here are 5 reasons why Luv Is Rage 2 vinyl has this price tag.
1. Vinyls Are In Crisis
Despite what you may think, the vinyl record industry is booming beyond anyone’s expectations, even the industry’s own experts. Between 2020 and 2021, sales have increased a whopping 108% during the pandemic.
Unfortunately, the unprecedented boom is coming at a huge cost, rendering most record labels paralyzed. Pressing plants have been struggling immensely to keep up with the demand and rushed deliveries result in defective vinyl records.
In an industry that can get over an artist in a matter of weeks, extreme delays ranging anywhere from 8-24 months can be detrimental to their success.
This poses a huge challenge for all record labels, big or small. So, the fact that Lil Uzi’s record managed to get 3,000 units out is actually a pretty big win.
Add to that the fact that this album is a turning point in Lil Uzi’s music, and you’ll quickly understand why their fans have all but started bidding wars online to get this vinyl.
2. It’s a Coming of Age Token
The logistical aspect of creating this record makes it very scarce, but if it wasn’t in high demand then it would’ve never gotten this expensive. That’s where the value of this album comes in.
Since the beginning of their career, Lil Uzi has always been a unique and daring artist. They completely abandoned the status quo early on, making distinctive experimental sounds that set him apart from the Rap crowd.
In fact, Lil Uzi references their own influence on the scene in the very first song in the album, and perhaps that’s part of why Luv Is Rage 2 is a collection-worthy record.
As Trey Alston so aptly phrased it, “If Luv Is Rage was the caterpillar, Luv Is Rage 2 is the newly emerged butterfly garnished in heart and flame emojis.”
Luv Is Rage 2 signifies the point in Uzi’s life where they started maturing and better understanding themselves as well as the reality of being an artist. As a representation of growth in the 27-year-old’s career, this vinyl is coveted by a lot of his fans.
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3. It’s Lil Uzi’s Most Emotional Work
The reason why this album is worth being preserved in wax is perhaps how deeply personal and emotional it is.
Any Lil Uzi fan could tell you that they’ve always shown a happy-go-lucky mindset in their lyrics, being just generally thrilled to finally make it. This energy is very clear to see in the first installment of the album, Luv Is Rage.
This record, however, brings a dramatically different energy from any of their previous work. From pure heartache over their very public breakup to the absolute hit that explores suicidal thoughts and the painful downsides of stardom.
This is a stark contrast to Vert’s earlier work, which some would call bland or superficial. The painfully authentic nature of Luv Is Rage 2 added a layer of depth that was sorely missed.
Lil Uzi also doesn’t shy away from using disruptive sounds to deliver the strong emotions they were experiencing. That, along with the sensitivity this album displayed, is perhaps why this album got the mixed reviews it did.
However, it’s also why those who do love it have strong emotions towards it.
4. The Most Musically Mature Lil Uzi Album Yet
The thing with experimentation is that experiments don’t always work, and you can see that clearly in Uzi’s earlier work.
There isn’t a shortage of Lil Uzi songs that are simply difficult to stomach for the average listener. This is especially true because of his genre-defying style, bringing elements from alt-rock, Lo-Fi, and the youthful punk and emo rap styles.
Luv Is Rage 2 is arguably the point where Lil Uzi pinned down his unique style, creating a cohesive and fully pleasurable listening experience.
Not only do they nail the fusion of these genres, but they also upped their lyrical game through the roof with this album.
Add to that the big names that were featured on this album, and you get some of Lil Uzi Vert’s most powerful work to date.
All this is an extremely gratifying turn for Lil Uzi’s die-hard fans. Up until the release of Luv Is Rage 2, their fans have had little defense against critics’ claims that Lil Uzi Vert couldn’t rise above the mumble rapper label if they tried.
5. It Contains Top Lil Uzi Vert Songs
Look up the top 20 Lil Uzi Vert songs, and you’ll find between 4-8 of them are from this album.
This is the album that gave us the unforgettable bop that is “XO Tour Llif3.” It packed the cathartic and beautifully melodic “The Way Life Goes.” It gave us the silky smooth “Neon Guts,” which features Pharrell William.
These are just a few of the album’s hits. Which songs you end up absolutely falling for is pretty subjective, but the undeniable truth is that this album is a collection of remarkable songs.
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The attraction of having these songs on vinyl doesn’t just come from them sounding great, though.
Lil Uzi Vert’s style has all but started the mainstream Gen Z rap revolution, blurring the lines between genres and breaking the rules in favor of realness and passion.