After years of anticipation, Playboi Carti has finally dropped his long-awaited third studio album, MUSIC, delivering an ambitious sonic experience that stretches the boundaries of his signature sound. Released just ahead of his headlining set at Rolling Loud California, the project has already broken records, becoming Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2025 so far.
With a lineup of high-profile collaborations and an adventurous production style, MUSIC cements Carti’s place as one of hip-hop’s most unpredictable innovators.
From the opening moments of “POP OUT,” Carti makes it clear that MUSIC is anything but formulaic. The track explodes with a clashing, garage-rap energy that signals a wider sonic landscape than anything he’s attempted before. The album then veers into unexpected territory with “CRUSH,” featuring Travis Scott. Here, Scott fully immerses himself in Carti’s world, leaning into his high-pitched “baby” vocals, while Carti opts not to dive too deeply into his signature style. The track’s final moments, layered with choir vocals, showcase a newfound musicality that sets MUSIC apart from his previous work.
Another standout is “EVIL JORDAN,” which kicks off with a melancholic nod to The Weeknd’s 2023 hit “POPULAR” before Carti shifts into an entirely different flow and vocal cadence. The Weeknd reappears later on “RATHER LIE,” lending his signature melody to one of the album’s most accessible and radio-ready tracks. Travis Scott makes another appearance on “PHILLY,” the song that reintroduces the deep, guttural vocal tone that first sent Carti’s fanbase into a frenzy last year.
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion on MUSIC is Kendrick Lamar, an artist whose meticulous, socially charged approach to rap often contrasts with Carti’s freeform, ad-lib-driven style. Yet their collaborations on “GOOD CREDIT” and another track emerge as some of the album’s standout moments, with Kendrick’s intricate lyricism meeting Carti’s experimental delivery. Adding another unexpected layer, the track features a vocal delivery reminiscent of Jhené Aiko’s ethereal sing-rap cadence, further highlighting the album’s fluidity.
Beyond Scott, Lamar and The Weeknd, MUSIC boasts an impressive list of features, including Skepta, Future, Young Thug, Ty Dolla Sign and longtime collaborator Lil Uzi Vert. This varied guest list reflects Carti’s ability to traverse multiple corners of hip-hop while keeping his sound distinct.
The timing of the release adds another layer to Carti’s tradition of aligning his drops with major cultural moments. In 2018, his debut album DIE LIT, arrived just before Rolling Loud Miami; now, nearly seven years later, MUSIC landed on the eve of Rolling Loud California, where he took center stage as a headliner.
While Carti leans into new territories with his vocals and beat selections, there is still a lot to be desired on the lyrical element of his music. Although he has never claimed to be the most lyrical artist, if you’re going to title an album MUSIC, it should exhibit some lyrical growth as well.
With early projections pointing toward a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200, MUSIC is already proving to be a defining moment in Playboi Carti’s career. A fusion of raw energy, avant-garde production and unexpected collaborations, the album reaffirms his status as one of hip-hop’s most enigmatic and influential artists of his generation.
