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Last Friday, Playboi Carti began the official rollout for his upcoming third studio album I AM MUSIC, which is scheduled to be delivered to all major streaming platforms later this year.
Carti's I AM MUSIC will officially follow up on his highly acclaimed sophomore LP Whole Lotta Red, distributed to streaming platforms in December 2020, hosting 24 full-length tracks with features from rappers like Future, Kid Cudi, and Kanye West.
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On September 13, 2024, Playboi Carti took to social media to announce that his upcoming third studio album, I AM MUSIC, is currently listed on his website for "pre-order". The post on Instagram also reveals several alternate CD versions of the album, which are being sold alongside several album bundles.
The announcement was followed by the release of a new single titled ALL RED, which was distributed to all DSPs (Digital Streaming Platforms), on the same day, via AWGE and Interscope Records. The record has garnered over 30 million streams on Spotify since its release.
Bar-For-Bar: Breaking down Playboi Carti's new single 'ALL RED'
Although the rapper has been featured on several projects this year, including Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's No.1 hit Carnival, Playboi Carti's ALL RED marks his first solo streaming release since Whole Lotta Red dropped back in 2020.
Carti also teased an official music video for the song, yesterday, by dropping the official visualizer for ALL RED which featured cameo appearances from NAV and Meek Mill.
Although the music video for the record is yet to be released, the visualizer, directed by LOUIEKNOWS, has garnered significant attention to ALL RED generating over a million views in a single day.
The rapper teamed up with producers F1LTHY, Lukrative, Lucian, Ojivolta, and Twisco, for the production and composition of this record. Notable themes explored and highlighted on Playboi Carti's ALL RED have been listed below:
- Gun Violence
- Anti Religious Beliefs
- Satanism
- Wealth
- Success
- Luxury
- Philandering
- Gang Affiliations
- Death
- Robbery
Disclaimer: This review is rated explicit. Reader discretion is advised.
(Chorus)
"Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up, uh, uh / Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up / Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up, uh, uh / Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up, uh"
Playboi Carti begins the song by referencing his connection to the "upside-down cross," which is an ancient symbol associated with the martyrdom of Saint Peter but in modern times has been used to symbolize "satan or anti-Christ beliefs".
Although Carti's lifestyle and persona, including a tattoo of "SATAN" on his neck, appears to draw from these themes, the rapper does frequently attribute a lot of his success to god.
"The Bentley's parked outside / My vibe tryna go for a ride / I put VETEMENTS right on her thighs / I put the mask on 'cause I be fried / All red, I stay with the Fives / All red, we pull up and fire / All red, somebody dyin' / All red, I pour up then drive"
The rapper proceeds to flex his luxurious lifestyle and affiliations, with Carti seemingly referencing a close connection with "The Fives". This group is better known as the People Nation Alliance, who use a five-pointed star as their symbol and have affiliations with the Bloods.
The hook also includes a shout-out to popular luxury clothing brand, VETEMENTS, founded by Demna Gvasalia and Guram Gvasalia in 2014, given that Playboi Carti has been seen sporting their fashion pieces, multiple times, throughout his career.
(Verse)
"We done pushed up with the SIGs / Just like Madden, you can get blitzed / I used to rock badges, then I got rich / This is a thot, she can't be my b---h, yeah / This is a thot, she can't be my b---h, yeah"
Playboi Carti introduces his verse with an aggressive vocal performance and bars that delve into themes of gun violence, wealth, and s-x.
The rapper references the SIG Sauer Swiss light firearm, which was also name-dropped on his KETAMINE single, alluding to him hosting darker intentions toward his competition and critics.
"I come to your spot, we spray out that b---h / I come to your spot, we spray out that b---h / I come to your spot and I take that s--t, hol' up, uh / I got the drop, we layin' that b---h, hol' up, hol' up / Get a stolen vehicle, drive that b---h, hol' up"
Playboi Carti then makes several references to violent crimes which include drive-by shootings, robbery, and grand theft auto, which helps build on themes previously brought forward on the hook.
"Pushin' yo' block, then we spray 'em, uh / Pushin' yo' block, then we spray 'em / Somebody send 'em a prayer / Somebody send 'em some prayers / I got some s--t goin' crazy / I need a whole 'nother level / I'm on a whole 'nother level"
On this bar, Carti helps paint a picture of gang warfare, citing an instance of him premeditatedly "pushing" up on an opposition's block.
The final line appears to be a shout-out to himself and the effort he's put into creating I AM MUSIC, with the rapper differentiating himself from his competition by claiming he's on "a whole 'nother level".
"I'm a different type of player / I'm a different type of player / I'm a creative player / Shawty knew where I was goin' / Shawty know I'm a slayer / Shawty, treat her like mail / F--k 'em, we bring hell / Drive the coupe to Rodeo / I'm 'bout to give them some hell"
The final bar in this verse finds Playboi Carti speaking on more personal themes, referencing his relationships with women and a lack of intimacy.
The rapper explains how people understand his excessive lifestyle, supporting him and the choices he makes, given that the decisions he's made have brought him immense wealth and success. The bouncy hook returns one final time before Carti's ALL RED closes out.
A major takeaway from Playboi Carti's new single, ALL RED, is the newer cadence that very closely resembles fellow Atlanta rapper Future's deep vocal performances and flow.
Although Carti's I AM MUSIC will likely find the rapper exploring more creative sonic directions, with a greater emphasis on his deep cadence, the first time fans got a look into this style of rapping was during his feature on Kanye West's leaked Mr. Miyagi record.
