Playboi Carti
Whole Lotta Red


3.5
great

Review

by ian b USER (11 Reviews)
January 3rd, 2021 | 317 replies


Release Date: 2020 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Well, it’s a Whole Lotta Something at least...

Ever since his mainstream breakthrough with the slow burning hit “Broke Boi” followed by the massive singles “*wokeuplikethis” and "Magnolia”, Playboi Carti has always been one of (if not) the most polarizing figures musically when it comes to the evolution of “trap” music. His self titled mixtape was widely panned by more traditional hip-hop fans, most of which were still digesting the likes of DAMN. by Kendrick or Big K.R.I.T.’s epic, 4eva Is a Very Long Time, while those more familiar with the simpler and minimalistic side of the scene were intrigued at what Playboi Carti really had to offer, but weren’t sure if he could live up to the hype. After an initially mixed response, his debut album Die Lit slowly became one of those most championed records of that year. With its wildly psychedelic minimalism being paired with repetitive earworm hooks, and ad-libs that have their own ad-libs inside of each other, it was clear that Playboi Carti had made his splash and was here to stay. But after a nearly 3 year long wait, and a plethora of baby-voiced features to keep fans hooked on the likes of Tyler, The Creator’s “EARFQUAKE” and “Pissy Pamper (Kid Cudi)” by collaborators Young Nudy and Pi'erre Bourne, even the most casual fans were starting to scratch at the walls for a new album. Now that Whole Lotta Red is here, it’s clear that Playboi Carti has the same amount of respect (or lack thereof) for all those listening equally, as this isn’t an album for the fans or for the haters; this is Playboi Carti’s self-fulfilling artistic statement. The real question is, is that artistic statement worth all of the hype that preceded it, and is it going to pan out like 2018’s Die Lit, and become a slow burning critical darling in time?

Honestly, I don’t think anyone knows or will know the answer for some time. So in reality, I don’t fucking know man, considering how his last two projects panned out though, I’m gonna go with a solid probably. But shit, what do I know, what are your thoughts Con?

Well, let’s be real, everyone knows by now that being famous really means being infamous; if you don't have haters then do you really have enough fans? Do you really think Playboi Carti doesn't understand this by now and do you really believe Mario Judah didn't understand his place in the rollout of WLR? No, because of course they did, this was clearly orchestrated because what else are you going to do when your hardcore fans have been asking for this album for over a year, and your management is begging you to wait until post COVID to release? I don't envy Playboi Carti in this regard, and I think that's why I truly enjoy the absolutely cringe-inducing beginning to this album even more. The first six songs (reminder that the marketed 'Slay3r' is track number 7) are undoubtedly meant to polarize and, boy, do they do that. If you're not a Playboi Carti fan, I'd be surprised if you made it through the first three tracks before giving up and declaring yourself too old for this futuristic rap shit. While the vocal performances can only be positively described as "eclectic", the absurdly repetitive lyrics can only be chalked up to as purposefully annoying. Why would an artist make something so willfully awful and why are people calling this album the next Yeezus? Strange coincidence I assume. And why is this reviewer asking so many rhetorical questions instead of talking about the damn music? It's because Whole Lotta Red has broken my analytical, musical brain and I've decided these words are pointless. Album is a classic if you despise it and it's not as good as you want it to be if you love it. But what do I know? Decide for yourself.



Recent reviews by this author
Mansions Old Best FriendsOlivia Rodrigo Sour
'68 Give One Take One6 dogs RONALD.
A Day To Remember You're WelcomeLil Peep crybaby
user ratings (218)
3
good
other reviews of this album
soggytime (4.5)
A pivotal moment in the genre - a divisive record that has the potential to push the sounds of hip-h...

ajc1956 (4)
...



Comments:Add a Comment 
ian b
January 3rd 2021


2176 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

inb4 this thread dies of dysentary



anyways i thought it'd be fitting that my first review of a new release in almost 3 years would be the album that we've been waiting 3 years for lol. anyways thank you Con(maniac) for lighting the fire under my ass to finish this rev. definitely complimented my first half better than anyone else could have.



also the review score is arbitrary, so do what thou wilt with that i guess lol. love u all and any constructive criticism is appreciated, as it's been a while for both of us

nol
January 3rd 2021


12280 Comments


I disagree, pos

rabidfish
January 3rd 2021


8791 Comments

Album Rating: 1.0

Whole lotta crap

Conmaniac
January 3rd 2021


27704 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

this needed a review so badly so Idc if ppl dont agree just don't delete this hahah

Good work ian u killed it

parksungjoon
January 3rd 2021


47231 Comments


is this going to be a controversial thread

Ryus
January 3rd 2021


37886 Comments


nice

ian b
January 3rd 2021


2176 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

thank you con!! i hope all the tinkering i did without telling you still reads well, couldn't have gotten this to turn out as well as it did without you :')



"is this going to be a controversial thread"



does fire emit heat?

nol
January 3rd 2021


12280 Comments


hmm, this needs to be featured for maximum drama potential

unclereich
January 3rd 2021


12636 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I'm just here so I wont get fined

Conmaniac
January 3rd 2021


27704 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

This album is controversial but we can keep the thread posi vibes (:

unclereich
January 3rd 2021


12636 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I dont think this will be controversial at all. None of the people on the site that love this care enough

nol
January 3rd 2021


12280 Comments


It’s also well-written, which helps people be civil.

Conmaniac
January 3rd 2021


27704 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Thank you Colton hahahah. I'm glad you somehow got it

unclereich
January 3rd 2021


12636 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

A 3 isnt exactly a reason to burn down the site either

ian b
January 3rd 2021


2176 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

you can't spell controversy without con



jk i think he's probably the least controversial user on here at this point, like what a lovely mf

ian b
January 3rd 2021


2176 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

also colton thats probably my favorite line from the whole review, hit the nail on the head when it comes to any release like this with as much hype and cult-like fans behind it

unclereich
January 3rd 2021


12636 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Hes a real maniac that one

nol
January 3rd 2021


12280 Comments


You know what WAS controversial? The “XXXtentacion has been shot to death” thread. Holy shiiiiiiiit was that nasty.

ian b
January 3rd 2021


2176 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

any news of a young rapper dying from the past 4 years (except maybe the Mac thread and King Von thread) has created the worst threads this site has ever seen. especially the initial comments when Lil Peep died in '17 that shit was fucking Gross

unclereich
January 3rd 2021


12636 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

rip in peep



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy