Playboi Carti (mixtape)

The mixtape was initially revealed through Carti's ex-manager, Ian Connor, who took to Instagram on April 12, 2015, where the caption states: "Carti The Mixtape Coming Soon".{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/1ZySYjJpU-/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=www.instagram.com}} A year later on April 18, 2016, Fredo Santana's ex-intern Kenny Chosen made a slight nod towards the mixtape release on Instagram.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/kennychosen/p/BEXGwH1OtAh/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=www.instagram.com}} Playboi Carti recorded much of the mixtape between 2016 and early 2017, working primarily with producer Pi'erre Bourne, whose futuristic and bouncy beats became a defining element of the project.{{Cite web |last=Weinstein |first=Max|date=2017-04-14 |title=Meet Pierre Bourne, Producer on Playboi Carti's Debut Mixtape - XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/pierre-bourne-interview-playboi-carti-mixtape/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=XXL Mag |language=en}} Sessions took place in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York, with Carti focusing on a spontaneous recording process—often freestyling entire songs rather than writing lyrics in advance.{{Cite web |title=Meet Pi'erre Bourne, The “Magnolia” Producer Who Always Trusts His Gut |url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/06/30/pierre-bourne-beat-construction-interview-magnolia?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=The FADER |language=en}}

Bourne, who had been gaining recognition for his work with underground artists, became instrumental in shaping Carti’s sound. His production, characterized by spacey synths, looping melodies, and hard-hitting 808s, complemented Carti’s freewheeling approach to rapping. Other producers, such as Southside, Jake One, and Harry Fraud, also contributed beats, but Bourne’s style became the foundation of the project.{{Cite web |last=Glaysher |first=Scott|date=2017-04-26 |title=Playboi Carti Flexes on Debut Mixtape - XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/playboi-carti-debut-mixtape-review/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=XXL Mag |language=en}} He explained that Carti’s recording process for the mixtape was focused on capturing raw, spontaneous energy. Carti often recorded songs quickly, sometimes in a single take, to preserve the organic, unpolished feel of the music. Bourne highlighted that the process was more about feeling and vibe than meticulous planning.

File:A$AP Rocky UIT 2013 (cropped) (cropped).jpg (pictured in 2013) served as executive producer of the mixtape.]]The composition of Playboi Carti is rooted in minimalism, with an emphasis on repetition, mood, and atmospheric production rather than lyrical complexity. According to Pitchfork, Carti’s verses and hooks "smash into each other with repetition", and his signature ad-libs aren’t just embellishments but function as "the main attraction", sometimes even becoming the lyrics themselves.{{Cite web |last=Younger |first=Briana |title=Playboi Carti: Playboi Carti |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23196-playboi-carti/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} Carti’s flows are described as "punctuated" and rhythmically freeform, with rhymes that "float between the production rather than on top of it", creating space for beats to take the forefront. Tracks like "Location" are described by Pitchfork as feeling "celestial", while "No. 9" is described as "exotic and regal", showing Carti’s tendency to let the instrumentals guide the song's momentum rather than traditional rap structure.

The mixtape’s production plays a significant role in shaping its identity. XXL highlights producers like Harry Fraud, Southside, Hit-Boy, and Jake One, but especially points to Pi'erre Bourne as the "audible MVP", producing nearly half of the tape and crafting what Pitchfork calls a balance of "cloud rap with straight up bangers".{{Cite web |date=2017-04-26 |title=Playboi Carti Flexes on Debut Mixtape - XXL |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2017/04/playboi-carti-debut-mixtape-review/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=web.archive.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426200652/http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2017/04/playboi-carti-debut-mixtape-review/ |archive-date=2017-04-26}} Bourne’s beat for "Magnolia", described as "rumbling infectiously" and accented with a "summery flute", pairs seamlessly with Carti’s performance, which XXL likens to his 2015 breakout "Broke Boi". Carti’s lyrical content is intentionally sparse, often centering on themes of flexing, lifestyle, and surface-level attraction. On "Half & Half", he repeats the phrase "this is not pop, this some rock" nearly 30 times, and rhymes most of "Other Shit" with the name of the song—examples that Pitchfork cites as an "economical method of getting from one ‘Yuh’ and ‘Ooh’ to the next. XXL adds that "Location" revolves around four repeated bars, but Carti’s performance over Harry Fraud’s beat elevates it into one of the project’s best tracks.

Rather than aiming for lyrical density, the mixtape is "based almost exclusively off vibes," as XXL describes, calling it "sonically pleasing, hypebeast swag rap." HipHopDX similarly describes that Playboi Carti "isn’t a lyricist's album", but praises it as "a confident exercise in brand building", describing it as "a fashion-forward soundtrack for the flex generation".{{Cite web |date=2017-04-19 |title=Review: Playboi Carti's Self-Titled Debut Is Simply A Glorified Beat Tape With Ad-Libs |url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.2932/title.review-playboi-cartis-self-titled-debut-is-simply-a-glorified-beat-tape-with-ad-libs |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}} Collaborations also shape the mixtape’s tone. Lil Uzi Vert appears on "Wokeuplikethis" and "Lookin", adding "raspy mumble rap expertise" and creating moments of harmony with Carti. ASAP Rocky, a major influence and mentor, delivers a verse on "New Choppa", elevating the lyrical delivery while reinforcing the shared themes of "guns, groupies and ganja". The mixtape’s release was marked by a long delay, which Carti attributed to his search for a producer who could help him develop "Carti’s sound".

In an article by Hypebeast from January 2017, it was stated that the mixtape was supposed to be concevied in the first quarter of the year. Carti commented on the state of the mixtape, where he says: "I just want niggas to look at it and say, ‘If this young nigga from Atlanta can do this, so can I.‘ [...] I want everybody to get money. My new mixtape is going to show niggas this is the way."{{Cite web |date=2017-01-13 |title=Playboi Carti Finally Reveals Plans for Debut Mixtape |url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/1/playboi-carti-debut-mixtape-2017-release-date |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Hypebeast}} On February 3, 2017, Carti officially took took to X to officially announce that he was releasing music soon.{{cite tweet |number=827609862179848193 |user=playboicarti |title=I DROP SOON TELL A FRIEND (🐝) |date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=February 3, 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/82wab |archive-date=February 20, 2025 |url-status=live}} Three weeks later, he officially announced that the mixtape was going to be conceived on March 3, 2017, he further announced this news through a show in Chicago.{{cite tweet |number=835554856408596480 |user=vlonecarti |title=PLAYBOI CARTI WILL DROP HIS MIXTAPE IN MARCH!!! |date=February 25, 2017 |access-date=February 25, 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/dNoYu |archive-date=February 20, 2025 |url-status=live}} On March 11, 2017, Carti shared the first unofficial draft of the mixtape artwork, created by Carti himself.{{cite tweet |number=840732898655371264 |user=playboicarti |title=this how u feel ? Bet ! Made it my mixtape cover !! 😉 #cartiseason |date=March 12, 2017 |access-date=March 12, 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/gVaPB |archive-date=February 20, 2025 |url-status=live}} On April 13, 2017, Carti took to his social medias to reveal the official artwork for the mixtape.{{cite tweet |number=852726457231126532 |user=playboicarti |title=thanks to the coolest fans ever !! |date=April 13, 2017 |access-date=April 13, 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250220171618/https://x.com/playboicarti/status/852726457231126532 |archive-date=February 20, 2025 |url-status=live}}

Two singles were released prior to the mixtape's release. These included "Lookin", which featured Lil Uzi Vert, released on March 9, 2017, and "Wokeuplikethis", which also featured Lil Uzi Vert, which released on March 10, 2017. The singles "Magnolia" and "Let It Go" was released on April 14, 2017, a few hours prior to the mixtape's release. A music video was released for "Magnolia" on July 10, 2017. It was directed by Hidji Films and features cameo appearance from the song's producer Pi'erre Bourne, as well as cameo appearances from Southside, ASAP Rocky, Slim Jxmmi, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Don Q, Nav, Casanova, Smooky Margielaa, Squidnice and Cash, one of the XO members. It has amassed over 200 million views as of January 2025.{{cite web |title=Playboi Carti - Magnolia |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCveByMXd_0 |access-date=13 July 2017 |website=YouTube}} A music video was released for "Wokeuplikethis" on August 9, 2017. The music video features Lil Uzi Vert, and has amassed 100 million views as of January 2025.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REmZhFKmOmo |title=Playboi Carti - wokeuplikethis* ft. Lil Uzi Vert (Official Video) |date=2017-08-09 |last=PlayboiCartiVEVO |access-date=2025-02-20 |via=YouTube}} A music video for "New Choppa" was released on August 31, 2017. It features ASAP Rocky, and has amassed over 30 million views as of January 2025.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JZqoGz0b6o |title=Playboi Carti - New Choppa ft. A$AP Rocky (Official Video) |date=2017-08-31 |last=PlayboiCartiVEVO |access-date=2025-02-20 |via=YouTube}}

{{Music ratings

| title = Playboi Carti ratings

| MC = 69/100{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/playboi-carti-mixtape/playboi-carti |title=Reviews and Tracks for Playboi Carti [Mixtape] by Playboi Carti |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=November 2, 2017}}

| rev1 = HipHopDX

| rev1score = 2.9/5{{cite web |url=http://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.2932/title.review-playboi-cartis-self-titled-debut-is-simply-a-glorified-beat-tape-with-ad-libs |title=Review: Playboi Carti's Self-Titled Debut Is Simply A Glorified Beat Tape With Ad-Libs |last=Chintaluri |first=Narshima |date=April 19, 2017 |work=HipHopDX |access-date=April 23, 2017}}

| rev2 = Pitchfork

| rev2score = 7.3/10{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23196-playboi-carti/ |title=Playboi Carti: Playboi Carti |last=Younger |first=Briana |date=April 22, 2017 |work=Pitchfork |access-date=April 22, 2017}}

| rev3 = PopMatters

| rev3score = 6/10{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/playboi-carti-playboi-carti/ |title=Playboi Carti: Playboi Carti |last=Duricy |first=Bryan |date=April 19, 2017 |work=PopMatters |access-date=April 22, 2017}}

| rev4 = Vice

| rev4score = A−{{cite web |url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/43qp9w/robert-christgau-joey-badass-timely-consciousness |title=Robert Christgau on Joey Bada$$'s Timely Consciousness |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |date=January 19, 2018 |work=Vice |access-date=January 16, 2020}}

| rev5 = XXL

| rev5score = 4/5{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2017/04/playboi-carti-debut-mixtape-review/ |title=Playboi Carti Flexes on Debut Mixtape |last=Glaysher |first=Scott |date=April 26, 2017 |work=XXL |access-date=January 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426200652/http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2017/04/playboi-carti-debut-mixtape-review/ |archive-date=April 26, 2017}}

}}

The mixtape received positive reviews from critics. In a positive review, Jon Caramanica of The New York Times called the project "erratic, sometimes transfixingly so", stating that "Playboi Carti's album takes hip-hop's ad-lib era to its logical extreme — everything sounds like an ad-lib, even the main lyrics".{{cite web|last1=Caramanica|first1=Jon|title=In New Albums, 21 Savage and Playboi Carti Go Against the Flow|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/19/arts/music/21-savage-playboi-carti-flow.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=21 December 2017}} In a more negative review, HipHopDX critic Narshima Chintaluri described the record as "simply a glorified beat tape with ad-libs", stating Carti "need[s] to further develop his songwriting in order to maintain this allure alongside his more successful contemporaries".

Brian Duricy of PopMatters described the record as "the sonic equivalent of the stereotypical laissez-faire worker who breezes through presentations on sheer personality alone", stating that "over the production, however, you're not getting particularly much". Pitchfork's Briana Younger wrote that "Playboi Carti feels like a break from life, the soundtrack to a mindless good time", and adding that "Carti is tactful in discerning where and when he can get away with letting the instrumental ride and when he needs to rise to the occasion". The single "Magnolia" was awarded Best New Track by Pitchfork.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/19008-playboi-carti-magnolia/|title="Magnolia" by Playboi Carti Review {{!}} Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|access-date=2017-05-20}}

The mixtape appeared on 2017 year-end album lists by publications such as Fact,{{cite web |url= http://www.factmag.com/2017/12/20/best-albums-2017 |title= The 50 Best Albums of 2017

|work= Fact Magazine |date= December 20, 2017 |access-date= December 20, 2017}} Pitchfork,{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-50-best-albums-of-2017/?page=2|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2017|work=Pitchfork|date=December 12, 2017|access-date=December 13, 2017}} and Tiny Mix Tapes.{{cite web |url= https://www.tinymixtapes.com/features/2017-favorite-50-music-releases?page=4 |title= 2017: Favorite 50 Music Releases

|work= Tiny Mix Tapes |date= December 18, 2017 |access-date= December 21, 2017}} John Twells of Fact stated that the project "adeptly taps into a widespread youthful malaise and the genre-fluid playlist culture that has come to dominate rap's mainstream [...] Sad and restless but also party-ready, Playboi Carti doesn't need political rambling or conscious posturing to get its message across".{{cite web |url= http://www.factmag.com/2017/12/20/best-albums-2017 |title= The 50 Best Albums of 2017|work= Fact Magazine |date= December 20, 2017 |access-date= December 20, 2017}} Corrigan B of Tiny Mix Tapes wrote that "of everything that 2017 promised about rap's future, Playboi Carti felt the most like a real path forward, a crystallization of the SoundCloud underground's zeitgeist in a format built to transcend the scene's messy adolescence".

The mixtape debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200, with 28,000 album-equivalent units, of which 21,000 were streaming units and 7,000 were pure album sales.{{cite web |title=First Week Sales For Playboi Carti's Self-Titled Debut Project |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/first-week-sales-for-playboi-cartis-self-titled-debut-project-news.31542.html |website=HNHH |publisher=}} As of September 2017, the mixtape has moved over 367,000 units.{{cite web |title=Rumor Mill - TOP 50 STREAMED SONGS, SPS ALBUMS THIS YEAR |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=308538 |access-date=2 November 2017 |website=hitsdailydouble.com}} The mixtape was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on January 10, 2018, for sales over 500,000 units.{{cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |website=RIAA}} Later on February 28, 2020, the mixtape was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes{{cite AV media notes |title= Playboi Carti |others=Playboi Carti |publisher= Interscope Records |type= CD liner}} and ASCAP.{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory|title=ACE Repertory|publisher=ASCAP|access-date=May 10, 2018|at=Select "TITLE", type "Song" in the search engine, and click "Search".}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Playboi Carti{{cite web|url= https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/playboi-carti/id1223820297|title=Playboi Carti on iTunes|publisher=itunes.com}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 47:00

| title1 = Location

| writer1 = {{hlist|Jordan Carter|Rory Quigley|Allan Holdsworth|Rowanne Mark}}

| extra1 = Harry Fraud

| length1 = 2:48

| title2 = Magnolia

| writer2 = {{hlist|Carter|Jordan Jenks}}

| extra2 = Pi'erre Bourne

| length2 = 3:01

| title3 = Lookin

| note3 = featuring Lil Uzi Vert

| writer3 = {{hlist|Carter|Kendall Bailey|Symere Woods}}

| extra3 = Roark Bailey

| length3 = 3:03

| title4 = Wokeuplikethis

| note4 = featuring Lil Uzi Vert

| writer4 = {{hlist|Carter|Jenks|Woods}}

| extra4 = Pi'erre Bourne

| length4 = 3:55

| title5 = Let It Go

| writer5 = {{hlist|Carter|Cameron Pitts|Jenks}}

| extra5 = Pi'erre Bourne

| length5 = 2:30

| title6 = Half & Half

| writer6 = {{hlist|Carter|Joshua Luellen|Kendricke Brown|Cameron Murphy}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|Southside|K-Major{{ref|a|[a]}}|Murphy Kid{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length6 = 3:47

| title7 = New Choppa

| note7 = featuring ASAP Rocky

| writer7 = {{hlist|Carter|Ricci Riera|Rakim Mayers}}

| extra7 = Riera

| length7 = 2:06

| title8 = Other Shit

| writer8 = {{hlist|Carter|Chauncey Hollis}}

| extra8 = Hit-Boy

| length8 = 2:48

| title9 = No. 9

| writer9 = {{hlist|Carter|Jonathan Stewart}}

| extra9 = JStewOnTheBeat

| length9 = 3:19

| title10 = Dothatshit!

| writer10 = {{hlist|Carter|Jenks}}

| extra10 = Pi'erre Bourne

| length10 = 3:04

| title11 = Lame Niggaz

| writer11 = {{hlist|Carter|Jenks}}

| extra11 = Pi'erre Bourne

| length11 = 2:53

| title12 = Yah Mean

| writer12 = {{hlist|Carter|Jenks}}

| extra12 = Pi'erre Bourne

| length12 = 2:45

| title13 = Flex

| note13 = featuring Leven Kali

| writer13 = {{hlist|Carter|Kasim Walker|Joshua Hawkins|Leven Kali}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|KasimGotJuice|J. Cash Beatz}}

| length13 = 4:00

| title14 = Kelly K

| writer14 = {{hlist|Carter|Luellen|Jacob Dutton|Tomislav Pasanec}}

| extra14 = {{hlist|Southside|Jake One{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length14 = 4:31

| title15 = Had 2

| writer15 = {{hlist|Carter|Pitts}}

| extra15 = MexikoDro

| length15 = 2:19

}}

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies an uncredited co-producer
• "Wokeuplikethis" is stylized as "wokeuplikethis*"
• "Dothatshit!" is stylized as "dothatshit!"
• "No. 9" is stylized as "NO. 9"
• "Let It Go" features uncredited additional background vocals by MexikoDro
• "Kelly K" features uncredited additional background vocals by Blakk Soul{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BS30kLCjoU0/|title=Instagram post by Snare Jordan • Apr 14, 2017 at 4:18pm UTC|website=Instagram}}{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BS4QVZ2Dx7F/|title=Instagram post by Eric Keith • Apr 14, 2017 at 8:21pm UTC|website=Instagram}}

Sample credits

• "Location" contains samples of "Endomorph", written by Allan Holdsworth and Rowanne Mark, as performed by Holdsworth.{{cite web|url=http://www.whosampled.com/sample/493908/Playboi-Carti-Location-Allan-Holdsworth-Endomorph/|title=Playboi Carti's 'Location' - Discover the Sample Source|website=WhoSampled}}

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.

Technical

{{div col}}

• Hector Delgado – mixing {{small|(tracks 1, 7, 13)}}, recording {{small|(tracks 7, 13)}}
• Frankly Kastle – mixing assistant {{small|(tracks 1, 7)}}
• Harry Fraud – recording {{small|(track 1)}}
• Tatsuya Sato – mastering {{small|(tracks 1–3, 5–15)}}
• Kesha Lee – mixing {{small|(tracks 2–5, 9, 10, 11, 15)}}, recording {{small|(tracks 2, 4, 5, 9–12, 14, 15)}}, mastering {{small|(track 4)}}
• Roark Bailey – recording {{small|(track 3)}}
• Max Lord – recording {{small|(track 6, 7)}}
• Finis "KY" White – mixing {{small|(tracks 6, 12, 14)}}
• Dan FryFe – recording assistant {{small|(track 7)}}
• David Kim – mixing {{small|(track 8)}}, recording {{small|(track 8)}}

{{div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Playboi Carti|title=Playboi Carti|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2022|id=11577|access-date=August 16, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Playboi Carti|title=Playboi Carti|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2024|access-date=January 24, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Playboi Carti|title=Playboi Carti|award=Silver|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|id=18643-4825-2|access-date=January 15, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Playboi Carti|title=Playboi Carti|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2020|access-date=February 28, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Discogs release|10128684|type=album}}

{{Playboi Carti}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2017 mixtape albums

Category:2017 debut albums

Category:Playboi Carti albums

Category:Interscope Records mixtape albums

Category:Albums produced by Southside (record producer)

Category:Albums produced by Hit-Boy

Category:Albums produced by Harry Fraud

Category:Albums produced by Jake One

Category:Albums produced by Pi'erre Bourne