A Trendsetter or a Miss?

By: Marquis “Southside Gunn” Harris

Playboi Carti is the definition of a “trendsetter.” The man has managed to cultivate his own genre of music, Trap-Metal (not to be confused with Ghetto Metal), and he’s inspired a whole generation of rappers who attempt to cash in on the same success as him by copying his methods. This album exemplifies why Carti is both good AND bad for Hip Hop.

The album itself is definitely presented in the form of a mixtape, with Swamp Izzo essentially ad-libbing his way through the entire project. The project also showcases plenty of styles that reflect Carti’s past. Essentially, there are songs on this project that could fit with his other works, and while that’s clever, it also kills the cohesiveness. The album is also WAY TOO LONG and features too many moments where the lyrics sound like gibberish.

The production, when it leans into the Trap-Metal, sounds great and really gets you hyped. There are some tracks that sound good with the heavy bass and electronic elements as well. The tracks “Like Weezy” (even though the Rich Kidz sample is dope) and “We Need All the Vibez” really don’t fit here. Do we get a few catchy hooks? Yeah. We got some solid features, with Kendrick appearing three times and even Uzi doing really well.

However, we have another album that’s bloated and full of unnecessary songs; more than half the album isn’t needed. When the songs are good, they are fire, but when they’re bad… goodness. Honestly, this is just the prime definition of MID.

Favorite Tracks: BACKD00R, Twin Trim, South Atlanta Baby (especially because I’m from the Southside)

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑 (5.1/10)