Lil Uzi Vert Starts Independent Era With Roc Nation Deal And New Songs “Chanel Boy” And “Relevant”
Lil Uzi Vert has officially left the major-label system and relaunched as an independent artist through a new distribution partnership with Roc Nation. This marks a rare power move that lets the rapper keep control of both masters and rollout, truly embodying a Lil Uzi Vert independent spirit. In doing this, he stays in business with one of the most influential companies in hip hop. This step towards being a Lil Uzi Vert independent entity allows him greater creative freedom. To mark the shift, Uzi dropped two new tracks, “Chanel Boy” and “Relevant.” He is using the songs and visuals as a live demonstration of what this new era is supposed to feel like.
Lil Uzi Vert’s new Roc Nation deal
Under the new structure, Lil Uzi Vert releases music through Cor(e), the artist’s own imprint. Roc Nation Distribution handles global reach while Uzi keeps full ownership of the masters. The agreement also expands the relationship to publishing. It puts Uzi in rare company alongside JAY-Z and Rihanna, as the only artists managed by Roc Nation and signed to its distribution arm. This move highlights how being a Lil Uzi Vert independent artist provides him with top-level industry support.
The deal comes after the end of Uzi’s run with Generation Now and Atlantic Records, which carried projects like the 2024 album “Eternal Atake 2.” It signals a clean reset of the business side just as the rapper turns the page on a turbulent year. Roc Nation executives have framed the partnership around creative freedom. They emphasize that the goal is to give Uzi control over catalog decisions. Meanwhile, they still supply major-label-level resources, hence reinforcing the advantages of Lil Uzi Vert being independent.
“Chanel Boy” sets the tone
“Chanel Boy” is positioned as the first release of this independent chapter. It pairs Uzi’s love for high fashion with a synth-heavy beat from producer ZeeGoinXrazy, really putting Lil Uzi Vert’s independent flair on display. This echoes the futuristic feel of the “Eternal Atake” era. The video leans straight into the luxury angle, tracking Uzi from helicopter to a black SUV. He also goes on late-night studio runs in Chanel pieces, with the styling and camera work designed to make the song feel like a campaign for the French house.
Beyond the flexing, “Chanel Boy” functions as a status update. It reminds fans that even with legal issues and health scares in the background this year, Uzi still sits in a space where fashion, rap, and internet culture overlap. Releasing it under Cor(e) with Roc Nation Distribution is the on-record proof that the artist now controls when and how these moments hit platforms.
“Relevant” fires back and looks ahead
“Relevant,” produced by Trillion, Rima, and Trilla, arrived hours after “Chanel Boy” as a short, chaotic rage track. It plays into Uzi’s knack for mosh-pit energy. Fans and commentators have pointed out lines that seem aimed at critics who claimed Uzi “fell off” earlier in the year. They frame the song as both a clapback and a mission statement for Lil Uzi Vert’s next phase as independent.
Dropping “Relevant” the same day underscores the point of the Roc Nation setup. Instead of waiting on a major-label calendar, Uzi can stack releases. In doing so, he tests sounds at the pace that matches online conversation. For listeners, it signals that this independent run is not just a contract change. It is a shift toward faster, more reactive output built around whatever Uzi wants to drop next.
