Playboi Carti's 'Music': A Cinematic Journey Through Trap Chaos

Explore Playboi Carti's latest album "Music," a bold and captivating work that redefines the trap genre.

Introduction to 'Music'

‘Music’ is an album as audacious as Playboi Carti himself. Born Jordan Carter, this maverick has been a cult figure in the music scene for years, crafting internet classics alongside artists like Lil Uzi Vert and Ethereal even before his 2017 hit ‘Magnolia’ rocketed him to SoundCloud stardom. Now, nearly five years after his last record, ‘Whole Lotta Red,’ the enigmatic trap overlord returns with his third album, ‘Music.’ Despite the erratic and delayed rollout, this album is undoubtedly worth the wait. It’s not just an expansion of his sonic world but a refinement that transforms his characteristic chaos into something cinematic.

Musical Exploration

As the apocalyptic 808s and clanging hi-hats of opener ‘Pop Out’ lure you in, you might expect the wild energy of ‘Whole Lotta Red.’ However, Carti, over otherworldly production from the likes of Metro Boomin, F1lthy, Wheezy, and more, takes listeners on a rollercoaster ride through the peaks and valleys of trap music—the very heartbeat of his city.

There are nods to his last album’s pre-hyperrap sound on tracks like ‘I Seeeeee You Baby Boi,’ ‘Olympian,’ and ‘Like Weezy,’ with the latter sampling the Atlanta classic ‘Bend Over’ by Rich Kidz. Elsewhere, pop-punk-infused cuts such as ‘Wake Up Fl1thy,’ ‘OPM Babi,’ and ‘HBA’ evoke memories of Carti’s 2018 debut, ‘Die Lit.’ ‘Music’ brilliantly melds the heavy bass and soaring synths of ‘Die Lit’ with the fearless experimentation of ‘Whole Lotta Red,’ pushing his sound further than ever before.

Guest Appearances and Collaborations

Carti adopts a new deep, raspy vocal persona throughout ‘Music,’ which creates some fun moments with artists like Young Thug, Ty Dolla $ign, Skepta, and a myriad of other guests. He and Uzi reunite for the first time in seven years on two songs, attacking the ‘Jumpin’ beat like brazen buddies. On ‘Charge Dem Hoes A Fee’, Carti, Travis Scott, and Future flex their tough-guy personas, but Future’s absurd lines—“Don’t do dumb shit / Don’t do horse shit… / Don’t do chicken shit / Don’t do cow shit”—add a layer of humor to this soon-to-be ATL club classic.

But the biggest surprise comes with Kendrick Lamar teaming up with Carti for a trio of collaborations. ‘Mojo Jojo’ serves as a warm-up, with Lamar contributing only ad-libs. However, ‘Good Credit’ showcases the yin and yang in full effect. Lamar's lyrical precision complements Carti's melodic unpredictability, both sharing a love for braggadocio. Lamar is right when he claims that Carti is indeed his “evil twin.”

Heartfelt Moments and Personal Reflections

The standout track may just be ‘Backd00r,’ where Carti and Lamar showcase their heartfelt sides on a slow jam, aided by Jheńe Aiko. Instead of traditional verses, Lamar delivers a sultry refrain: “I put those VVs on your décolleté / Baby pull up through the-” before Carti chimes in with a catchy “Backdoor, backdoor.”

Even as Carti leads trap’s zeitgeist, his R&B sensibilities shine through. ‘Cocaine Nose’ flips the menacing guitar riff by 7 Aurelius, popularized by Ashanti’s 2004 single ‘Only U’, into an anthemic yet repetitive motif—similar to ‘Whole Lotta Red’s’ ‘Vamp Anthem.’ The collaboration ‘Rather Lie’ featuring The Weeknd showcases a toxic yet irresistible vibe, marking their third collaboration together (including ‘Popular’ and ‘Timeless’).

Carti’s lyrics often take a back seat to his hypnotic delivery, but beneath the humor—like the sassy quips on ‘Crank’—moments of introspection emerge. The chorus of ‘Munyun’ reveals a brief moment of humility: “Came a long way, still can’t believe I made Forbes.” Yet, ‘South Atlanta Baby’ provides the closest glimpse into Carti’s life. As explosive bass and glitchy notes swell into an astral moment, he leaves us with a raw, unfiltered statement about his experiences: “Belt to ass, get way out the door, uh / I’m a crack baby, ho, I was raised off dope.”

Conclusion

‘Die Lit’ showcased Carti’s eclecticism, while ‘Whole Lotta Red’ was conceptually bold—though it took a few listens to click. ‘Music’, however, amplifies his relentless vision to new heights. For nearly a decade, Carti has been one step ahead, propelling rap into the future and leaving everyone else scrambling to keep up. From underground hero to untouchable force, Playboi Carti cements his position as rap’s feral frontrunner.

Details of ‘Music’

• Release date: March 14, 2025
• Record label: AWGE/Interscope

FAQs

• What are some standout tracks from 'Music'?
  ‘Pop Out’ and ‘Backd00r’ are among the standout tracks that highlight Carti’s artistic evolution.
• Who collaborated with Playboi Carti on 'Music'?
  Notable collaborators include Kendrick Lamar, Young Thug, The Weeknd, and Travis Scott.
• How does 'Music' compare to previous albums?
  ‘Music’ combines the edginess of ‘Whole Lotta Red’ with the melodic charm of ‘Die Lit,’ showcasing Carti's growth.
• What themes are present in the album?
  Themes of introspection and personal experiences, particularly concerning Carti's lifestyle and upbringing, are prominent throughout the album.
• Why is Playboi Carti significant in the music scene?
  Carti is considered a trendsetter in trap music, consistently pushing boundaries and shaping the genre's future.

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