After five years of anticipation following his last full-length project, Whole Lotta Red, Playboi Carti finally released his new album Music. However, the release came amid heavy legal pressure due to merchandise sales, signaling that the album might not be as polished as fans hoped. A rushed release is a concerning sign after a lengthy buildup marked by false start dates, surprise concert announcements, and cryptic singles showcasing Carti’s deepening transformation from his early SoundCloud days.
Fans can probably still recall the disappointment on Aug. 13, 2021, when Narcissist, Carti’s highly anticipated project, failed to drop as promised. As DJ Akademiks pointed out on Carti’s 2020 track “Control,” Carti’s fans are some of the most loyal and patient in the industry, waiting eagerly for new music.
Carti’s influence extends beyond music into fashion, but his most significant impact has been in shaping the direction of modern rap. In 2019, Carti launched the record label Opium, marking a shift in the rap landscape. The label signed underground artists like Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, and Homixide Gang—now all mainstream figures—bringing the rage sound popularized by live events with artists like Travis Scott to the forefront. Carti himself evolved from the carefree SoundCloud artist with a high-pitched “baby voice” to a fully formed figure within the new wave of rap.
Whole Lotta Red, released in late 2020, embodied this transformation. Carti adopted a darker, more theatrical persona, with a vampiric style in both his music and fashion. Initially, the album was met with backlash, with many criticizing it as “trash” on social media. But, over time, the King Vamp tour, which incorporated live guitar performances, helped solidify the album’s place in rap history. The unique fusion of rock and rap paved the way for others to embrace the rage movement, with artists like SoFaygo and Trippie Redd finding commercial success by adopting Carti’s style.
By 2023, Carti’s influence on the rap scene was undeniable. Ken Carson’s album A Great Chaos earned critical praise and chart success, with hits like “Jennifer’s Body” finding viral fame on TikTok, a testament to Carti’s lasting impact.
As Carti prepared to release Music, his fans were once again thrust into a whirlwind of anticipation. Beginning in December 2023, Carti released a series of unnamed music videos, building excitement, only to silence fans with sporadic releases. But by March 2025, the long wait came to an end with the official announcement of the album’s release date. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, but the critical reception was lukewarm due to its lengthy tracklist and what some perceived as an incomplete musical vision.
Despite the criticism, Music marks another significant step in Carti’s evolution. The album’s production, featuring Metro Boomin, F1LTHY, and Wheezy, complements Carti’s new deep voice, which coexists with the playful, high-pitched “baby voice” that made him famous. Though the album’s 30 tracks can feel disjointed, it shows Carti continuing to refine and redefine his signature sound.
The album opens with “Pop Out,” which sets a high-energy tone, featuring a raw, aggressive flow that may be too intense for some listeners. However, Music quickly shifts toward more experimental territory, with songs like “K Pop” and “HBA,” which showcase Carti’s ability to craft atmospheric beats that immerse listeners in a trance-like state. His collaborations with artists like The Weeknd on “Rather Lie” also highlight his knack for catchy, accessible hooks paired with dreamy production.
Music celebrates Carti’s journey in rap, pushing the boundaries of trap while blending new and old influences. Featuring a range of high-profile guest appearances—including Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, Future, Young Thug, and Lil Uzi Vert—the album marks another milestone in Carti’s ever-expanding spectacle. As Carti continues to evolve, Music could very well shape the future of rap, further cementing his place as one of the genre’s most enigmatic and influential figures.
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