Next to other new school rappers like Young Thug and Lil Yachty, the purple-haired boy wonder Lil Uzi Vert is as unorthodox as hip-hop has gotten in the past few years.

However, A$AP Rocky believes the 22-year-old rapper’s industry presence is very much like that of a legendary rap veteran who has dominated the hip-hop sphere for quite some time now: Lil Wayne.

In a Billboard interview, the A$AP Mob frontman likened Uzi’s image to the Young Money founder’s, specifically citing his voice.

“His style, his approach and his voice: I don't think I've heard somebody as raspy since [Lil] Wayne," Rocky expressed.

In addition to the style-related elements of the comparison, it's worth noting that both rappers also draw influence from rock culture, explaining Uzi's emphatic admiration for the macabre Marilyn Manson. And just as Weezy was scooped up by the top rappers during his Hot Boyz era, Uzi's hip-hop debut has grabbed the attention of several luminaries in rap's exclusive circle.

Recently, DJ Drama, who discovered Uzi and signed him to his Generation Now record label back in 2015, and Don Cannon shut down claims that the rapper would be signing to Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang label.

“Respectfully, we have a lot of love for Taylor Gang and Wiz, but Lil Uzi Vert is signed to Generation Now," Cannon said. "Here is your answer.”

But even in light of such an honorable comparison and buzz, DJ Drama isn't too keen on categorizing his signee with other artists, explaining that it's too early in his career to align him with any others. 

"I just think time will tell," he said. "You got to give these kids a chance to grow."

We're assured that, since 2017 is still very young, Uzi's rap growth spurt has plenty of time to bloom indeed.