Jordan Terrell Carter, known professionally as Playboi Carti, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter born on September 13, 1995 or 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in Riverdale, Georgia. Before his music career, Carter had aspirations of becoming an NBA star, but shifted his focus to music. He began his musical journey in 2011 under the name Sir Cartier, releasing tracks on SoundCloud. By 2013, he adopted the moniker Playboi Carti.
Career Beginnings
In 2014, Carti joined the Atlanta-based underground label Awful Records after connecting with producer Ethereal, who helped him cultivate his sound. A move to New York City led to him meeting A$AP Bari, who then introduced him to A$AP Rocky. This connection proved to be pivotal for his career. In 2015, he gained significant traction with his viral SoundCloud singles "Broke Boi" and "Fetti" (featuring Da$h and Maxo Kream). His growing popularity led to tours with A$AP Ferg and Lil Uzi Vert, and he eventually signed a deal with Interscope Records. In 2016, he officially joined A$AP Mob's creative collective, AWGE.
Rise to Fame
2017: Self-Titled Mixtape
Playboi Carti released his self-titled debut mixtape in April 2017. The project peaked at number 12 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and included the hit singles "Magnolia" and "Wokeuplikethis" featuring Lil Uzi Vert. The success of the mixtape led to him being named as part of XXL's "2017 Freshman Class."
2018: Die Lit
In May 2018, Carti released his debut studio album, "Die Lit," which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. The album was praised for its innovative take on trap music and featured the platinum-certified track "Shoota" with Lil Uzi Vert. "Die Lit" is now considered a highly influential album in the trap genre.
2020: Whole Lotta Red
After a two-year hiatus, Carti released his highly anticipated second studio album, "Whole Lotta Red," on Christmas Day 2020. It became his first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. The album showcased a significant artistic shift, incorporating punk and metal influences. "Whole Lotta Red" was listed as one of the best albums of the year by Rolling Stone.
Musical Style and Influence
Playboi Carti is known for his experimental and minimalist approach to rap. His music is characterized by its "baby voice" vocal style, where he uses high pitches and frantic cadences. He is considered a pioneer of the "rage" subgenre of hip-hop and has influenced a wave of new artists with his unique sound and unconventional flows. His musical influences include elements from punk rock, with bands like Black Flag and Circle Jerks cited as inspirations.
Fashion and Modeling
Beyond music, Playboi Carti has made a significant impact on fashion. Known for his distinctive and evolving style, he has transitioned from streetwear brands like Supreme and Palace to high-fashion labels such as Rick Owens and Balenciaga. Carti has modeled for designers like Virgil Abloh, walking in shows for Louis Vuitton and Off-White. In 2022, he launched his own fashion line called Narcissist, as part of his Opium label.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Die Lit (2018)
- Whole Lotta Red (2020)
- Music (2025)
Mixtapes
- Playboi Carti (2017)