Playboi Carti [MUSIC]: A Sonic Montage Between Past and Future
"If [MUSIC] had been released on time, it wouldn't have felt the way it does now" —Tom Breihan
The End of Waiting, The Beginning of Something New
Hip-hop's 'King of Promises,' Playboi Carti has finally broken his 4-year and 3-month silence with his third studio album [MUSIC]. Following the Christmas 2020 release of [Whole Lotta Red], this return comes after countless unfulfilled promises and tension-filled anticipation. Carti's unpredictable approach to the album release continued until the very end—the music finally saw the light of day at 7:30 AM Eastern Time, much later than initially scheduled.
This unpredictability is fundamental to Carti's identity. His seemingly irresponsible attitude often invites criticism, but paradoxically, when aligned with his musical trajectory, it completes a consistent worldview.
Rule Breaker, Genre Pioneer
Carti has continuously challenged hip-hop's unwritten rules. Armed with word repetition and bold synth sounds rather than traditional rap, his music has provoked cynicism with questions like "Is this even hip-hop?" Yet as time passed, many began to emulate his style, and ultimately, he established himself as a pioneer of the times by cultivating the 'Rage' genre. Naturally interacting with seniors like Future and Young Thug as well as juniors like Ken Carson and OsamaSon, he occupies a distinctive position in the hip-hop scene.
A Return to the Past, Yet Progressive
[MUSIC] is an album that completely overturns expectations. The most surprising element is Carti's regression to the past rather than progression toward the future. For listeners anticipating ultra-modern sounds, this album delivers nostalgia characteristic of Atlanta trap. The shadow of Gucci Mane is detected in some tracks, while traces of Lex Luger appear in others. By involving DJ Swamp Izzo, he evokes the sentiment of mixtapes from a decade ago, with the outlaw-like freedom distinctive to Atlanta trap flowing throughout the work.
As Complex reviewed, "Playboi Carti creates 2025's most nostalgic rap album," there's a clear intention behind this regression. In a 2022 interview with XXL, Carti mentioned wanting to "bring peace to the world and escape mental disorder" through [MUSIC]. Perhaps for him, this Atlanta-specific sound is the most stable emotional foundation. As the lyrics from "SOUTH ATLANTA BABY" suggest—"I'm a crack baby, ho / Grew up among drug dealers"—he seems to be reaffirming his roots while pursuing inner peace.
The Class of an Original
Of course, Carti doesn't solely dwell in the past. The album also includes hypertrap-style tracks where he established himself as a pioneer. In songs like "I SEEEEEEE YOU BABY BOI" and "LIKE WEEZY," he flaunts his unique sensibility of elevating his voice into an organic part of the beat. While one might wish for more tracks in this style, these moments clearly demonstrate the class of an originator.
The Convergence of Stars
The impressive lineup of features is another notable element of this album. Formidable names including Young Thug, Travis Scott, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Skepta, Ty Dolla $ign, and Kendrick Lamar are present. Interestingly, these artists enter Carti's world and adjust their styles to match his sound, rather than the other way around. Kendrick Lamar's participation is particularly noteworthy. Kendrick, known as a master of lyrics, and Carti, an icon of new school hip-hop, stand at opposite ends of the musical spectrum. Moreover, the fact that Kendrick, who emphasizes moral judgment, collaborated with Carti, who has been at the center of various controversies, testifies to Carti's current stature in the hip-hop scene.
The Realm of Post-Language
The essence of Carti's music lies in his unique vocal technique. He elevates rap not as text but as texture. Receiving acclaim for raising mumble rap to the realm of art, Carti demonstrates unprecedented vocal prowess in this album. His style of freely modulating his voice tone like a Ditto has reached what music journalist Charles Lyons-Burt described as the realm of 'post-language'—a method of conveying intense emotion through repetitive ad-libs and variations rather than clear meaning transmission.
In this context, Carti appears as the true heir to Lil Wayne. If Wayne once transformed hip-hop from a solid to a liquid, Carti is attempting to sublimate it into a gas. His display of confidence in this album—"I know how to handle this era, this sound in my own way" and "I'm connecting the sounds of old and new"—is truly impressive.
An Invitation Into the Hurricane
Experiencing [MUSIC], with its extensive collection of over thirty tracks, is like leaping into a hurricane. Reckless, dangerous, and at times self-destructive, yet within it, one can discover intense vitality.
Formally, this album resembles a playlist. It mixes the sentiments of Atlanta mixtapes from the early 2010s, the latest Rage tracks, and radio-friendly songs. This composition, emphasizing diversity over consistency between tracks, is optimized for consumption patterns in the streaming era. As David Byrne said, even if the artist didn't intend it, some common context tends to flow between tracks. [MUSIC] likely has such consistency inherent within it as well.
Conclusion: An Autobiographical Narrative Crossing Boundaries
This album can be described as Playboi Carti's "autobiographical album." It encompasses his musical capabilities, with coexisting eras that evoke his nostalgia and those he aims to conquer. He continues to embody the spirit of "defying expectations" and boldly showcases the fruits of that spirit.
The evolution of the album's name also holds significant implications. The process of transitioning from [Narcissist] to [I Am Music] and finally to [MUSIC] reflects Carti's expanding artistic ego. He still insists on his own path rather than meeting public expectations. Nevertheless, the lingering impression after listening to the album and the anticipation for his next work prove that [MUSIC] is undoubtedly a meaningful piece.
Ultimately, through this album, Playboi Carti has completed a musical montage freely traversing between past and future, tradition and innovation in his own way. That is the true significance of [MUSIC].
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nzXOVAUK91OuiEJeUk1U28Vnx0-Pkqz3Q
