Playboi Carti’s new album ‘MUSIC’ is ‘finished’ (2024)

• News

• Jon Barlas
• February 22, 2023

Photo courtesy of Rolling Loud / Henry Hwu

Playboi Carti fans are finally facing the Music. After surprise posting a few photos on Instagram over the holidays, the Opium leader sparked the rollout to his long-awaited fourth studio album, Music, only to disappear days after.

However, on Tuesday (Feb. 21), the Voices in the Streets Unfiltered YouTube channel reignited chatter of Carti’s forthcoming album. Releasing a snippet of their new interview with prolific Atlanta DJ Swamp Izzo, Swamp reveals that MUSIC is finished.

“Let me give you a world premiere, Swamp Izzo-Playboi Carti album is done. I’ma give that to you, world premiere. Swamp Izzo-Playboi Carti is done… Not a mixtape. It’s done.”

DJ Swamp Izzo on “Voices In The Streets Unfiltered”

Previously sharing a screenshot of three new tracks on his IG story, Carti caused chaos on Christmas Eve when he posted a grainy mirror selfie of model Betsy Johnson as official cover art. Most likely for a lead single, the artwork — and screenshotted track files — sparked a slew of speculation on social media, as he coincidentally released Whole Lotta Red on Christmas Day in 2020. Carti didn’t drop anything over the holidays, but just know that “Music otw.”

Per sources close to OGM, Music was reportedly delayed for three months due to “mixing issues,” as it seems likely that Playboi Carti’s appearance on “OUR DE$TINY” with A$AP Rocky could’ve been a catalyst to its release in September. Take all this lightly, though. Ultimately, Carti — and only Carti — knows when he’s dropping.

Announcing the album in an interview with XXL, Playboi Carti’s Music is poised to be vast with experimental sounds, containing quips of “Love. Sex. Drugs. Changes in my life,” he told the outlet in April. Mental health is also slated to be another central theme, as the 25-year-old rapper hopes he can bring “peace to the world” with insane new sounds in the near future.

“[It’s called] ‘Music’ because that’s all it is at this point… That’s what it’s for, so everybody can just [listen]… I’m here, forever. So, the music that I’m making is forever… I have a lot to say, I’m ready to speak my mind and just let it all go. It’s me.”

Playboi Carti to XXL

Amid the XXL piece, the Atlanta native has spent the past two years developing Opium and its now-superstar roster. Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely and Homixide Gang convincingly commanded the underground all throughout 2022, as Music is poised to be the crown jewel of Opium’s trendsetting run.

While King Vamp didn’t gift fans a Christmas miracle, its evident that new Carti is exactly what the culture needs in 2023.

This story will be updated.

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