Playboi Carti’s journey from rebellious teenager to chart-topper reflects his unique artistry and determination to excel in the music industry. His influence continues to shape modern rap, combining unconventional techniques with his distinctive personality.

Playboi Carti was born on September 13, 1996 in Riverdale, Georgia and grew up in Fairburn. He showed a rebellious streak at a young age, as he once shared in a 2016 Complex interview: “My mother couldn’t tell me anything. Nobody could tell me shit.” This attitude often got him into trouble and caused him to lose interest in pursuing higher education after graduating from high school.

What is Playboi Carti’s real name?

Jordan Terrell Carter, widely known as Playboi Carti, initially performed under the stage name Sir Cartier before eventually adopting his current moniker.

Carti attended North Springs Charter High School and initially aspired to play professional basketball, envisioning himself as the next Allen Iverson.

Reflecting on that time, he admitted to The Fader that he would skip practice, smoke before games and still score 30 points. However, a dispute with his coach marked the end of his basketball dreams and caused him to shift his focus entirely to music.

While working at H&M during his high school years, Carti often skipped classes to play music. He barely completed his studies and had to complete several last-minute tasks to receive his diploma. Remarkably, no one attended his graduation ceremony because no one believed he would graduate from school. Carti’s early fascination with second-hand shopping shaped both his musical and fashion identities.

Playboi Carti’s career beginnings

Carti began rapping under the name Sir Cartier in 2011 and adopted the name Playboi Carti in 2013. He uploaded his first songs to SoundCloud and gradually built up an underground fan base. His career took a significant turn in 2014 when he joined Awful Records after meeting producer Ethereal.

Determined to pursue music full-time, Carti moved to New York City and lived in his drug dealer’s house – a hangout for members of the A$AP Mob. This led to a crucial meeting with A$AP Bari, who introduced him to A$AP Rocky. Soon after, Carti rose to prominence with tracks like “Broke Boi” and “Fetti” (featuring Da$h and Maxo Kream), which he uploaded to SoundCloud in 2015.

During this time, Carti worked extensively with Atlanta’s underground rap scene, teaming up with his cousin UnoTheActivist, Thouxanbanfauni, Yung Bans, Lil Yachty and producers such as MexicoDro and ICYTWAT. His popularity grew as he toured with A$AP Ferg and Lil Uzi Vert and eventually secured a deal with Interscope Records.

Playboi Carti’s breakthrough and success

Carti’s career breakthrough came in April 2017 with the release of his self-titled mixtape with the hit singles “Magnolia” and “Woke Up Like This” (featuring Lil Uzi Vert), both of which charted on the Billboard Hot 100. The mixtape catapulted him to mainstream success.

In 2018, Carti released his debut studio album, Die Lit, which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. After a two-year break with minimal new music, his second studio album “Whole Lotta Red” was released in 2020. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, marking his first release to top the chart.

Playboi Carti’s musical style and influence

Playboi Carti’s music is often categorized as “mumble rap” and is celebrated for its playful and melodic atmosphere. His rap style is characterized by minimalist and repetitive lyrics, emphasizing flow and catchy phrases over traditional lyricism.

Complex described his style as more focused on atmosphere than substance, with Pitchfork highlighting his bold approach to music.

One of Carti’s signature techniques is his “baby voice,” a high-pitched singing style with unclear pronunciation and frantic cadences. This particular approach has been demonstrated in collaborations such as Solange’s “Almeda,” Tyler, the Creator’s “Earfquake,” and Young Nudy’s “Pissy Pamper” with Pi’erre Bourne.

Playboi Carti’s journey from rebellious teenager to chart-topper reflects his unique artistry and determination to excel in the music industry. His influence continues to shape modern rap, combining unconventional techniques with his distinctive personality.