Atlanta has produced a number of successful rappers in the last decade, including Gucci Mane, Migos, Young Thug, and Lil Yachty. Yet, one Atlanta rapper that stands out from all the rest is Playboi Carti. From his 2015 hit single, “Broke Boi” to his now iconic, self-titled 2017 album, Playboi Carti, the rapper has come a long way. He’s worked with both big and lesser-known rappers, including Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Scott, Maxo Kream, and Hoodrich Keem.
Playboi Carti was born Jordan Carter on September 13, 1996, in Atlanta, GA, and grew up in Riverdale (just right outside of the city). He’s always had an outgoing personality, finding passion in entertaining people and having a load of confidence. When he was in middle school, Jordan was featured in a YouTube video that went kinda viral, titled “Jordan actin stupid,” where he can be seen dancing, fooling around with his peers, and even freestyling for a few seconds. In high school, Carter played basketball and even dreamed of going to the NBA, but after a fight with the coach which resulted in quitting the team, he turned to rap as a hobby. Soon after, he began taking it seriously, choosing to record music in high school instead of going to class. As Jordan began rapping, he created a track called “Cry,” which his friends loved. The attention that his friends gave the track led to Carter meeting the producer Ethereal, who knew A$AP MOB. When the two met, they recorded a track called “Lost,” that was different from most trap songs at the time. The song has since become a classic among the Carti community. Carti and Ethereal only got better from there, creating hits like “YUNGXANHOE,” a track noted for its sample of the PS2 startup sound, as well as “Broke Boi.” The latter become a mega-hit, quickly projecting the rapper to fame and signing with A$AP MOB. His rise to fame includes dropping two full-length albums and working with Lil Uzi Vert & Pi’erre Bourne.
Since he’s gained fame, Playboi Carti’s sound has shifted. Initially, he rapped in his regular voice, spitting decent bars and keeping the track fairly consistent, particularly on songs like “Lost and Robber.” As he began to work with bigger rappers however, Carti slowed down his bars, moving more towards slurred words and mumble rap. This sound led to hit songs like “Magnolia,” “Wokeuplikethis*,” and “Shoota” and was most frequently seen on his album Playboi Carti. On the rapper’s second official album, Die Lit, his sound shifted again. Instead of only rapping bars, Carti slurs his words heavily, repeating short phrases and rapping lines in a high pitched voice, which fans have dubbed his “baby voice.” It is most prevalent in the songs “Flatbed Freestyle,” “R.I.P. Fredo [Notice Me]” as well as snippets and leaks, such as “Pop Bottles,” “I Don’t Talk,” and “Red on Red.” The sound has been fairly well received by fans, with some saying he’s completely changing music.
The rapper recently announced a project for 2019 entitled “ ,” which has gathered the attention of many fans. There have been some snippets and leaks that are thought to be on the album, including “Cancun,” “Bouldercrest feat. Offset,” and “Place.” Fans have speculated the album’s release date multiple times, but have yet to be correct. The album is presumably a highlight on the sound that Carti delivered on Die Lit, with many of the snippets having the same baby voice that was present on his previous album, along with beats that sound somewhat cosmic. The rapper’s next album surely won’t be one that disappoints, and it will mark a huge change in Carti’s sound as well as start a new chapter in his career.
The Atlanta rapper has taken over the rap world over the past few years, from his single “Broke Boi” going viral to the release of his album Die Lit. Playboi Carti shows no signs of slowing down, constantly in the studio as well as the public eye, whether it be through his relationship with Iggy Azalea or his work in the fashion industry. Carti’s has definitely come a long way, and surely everyone is excited to see his next move and hear that next hit!