Playboi Carti has, hands down, the biggest influence on rap today as we know it. Many new artists look up to his production style, aesthetic, vocal inflections, and so much more. His start as a somewhat generic SoundCloud rapper soon evolved into something far greater. He became a trendsetter, constantly pushing the boundaries of what rap could sound like. From his high-pitched "baby voice" on albums like Die Lit (2018) and Whole Lotta Red (2020) to his deep, almost Future-like voice in recent snippets, Carti has always been one to change his style, experimenting and reinventing his sound with each era. His willingness to take risks, whether well-received or not, has solidified him as one of the most unpredictable and exciting artists of his generation.
This is by far the most popular rapper I've covered on this blog. Even before I got into music as much as I do now, I remember hearing his hit songs and snippets all over the internet—tracks like "Location," "RIP," "Long Time - Intro," "NO. 9," and many more. I was formally introduced to him in 2020 when he dropped his polarizing album Whole Lotta Red on Christmas Day. There was immediate backlash, with many calling it his worst project yet. Even though the album eventually grew on me, I was initially on that train of disappointment. What nobody anticipated was the sheer impact this album would have on the next wave of rap. This project created a blueprint for the next generation of artists: hard-hitting 808 patterns, distorted autotune vocal inflections, barely audible verses, and an emphasis on raw energy over lyrical clarity.
After seeing how divisive Whole Lotta Red was upon release, I decided to revisit his earlier projects, Die Lit and Playboi Carti (2017). At first, only a handful of tracks stood out to me—songs like "Magnolia," "Half & Half," "FlatBed Freestyle," and "Lean 4 Real." But over time, I kept coming back to his music, and suddenly, tracks that didn’t hit at first listen became some of my favorites. Songs like "Choppa Won't Miss," "Right Now," "Flex," and "Kelly K" grew on me the more I heard them. Carti’s music has an undeniable replay value, and part of what makes him such a compelling artist is that his albums feel like living, breathing things: you’re always discovering new gems.
Recently, however, I haven't been a fan of the way Carti is handling his releases (or lack thereof). Since late 2023, he has been teasing new music on YouTube and Instagram without officially dropping anything. Fans have been begging for a new album since 2021, and yet, Carti seems to thrive on the idea of holding onto music that may never see the light of day. Another critique I have is the forced "mysterious aura" he tries to cultivate on social media. Ever since his deep-voiced feature on "FE!N" from Travis Scott's UTOPIA, it feels like he’s lost some of the excitement and spontaneity that once made him so captivating. Even his recent leaks and snippets lack the energy of his earlier work. The beats feel oversaturated, his flows often sound uninspired, and sometimes, it genuinely feels like a chore to sit through them.
That being said, Playboi Carti’s influence on rap is undeniable. His ability to shape and redefine sounds has left an impact that will be felt for years to come. Whether or not his next era lives up to the hype is another question entirely. While some worry that his best days are behind him, I wouldn’t count him out just yet. If there’s one thing Carti has always done, it’s prove people wrong.
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