"[16] This type of lifestyle influenced Carter to get into trouble as a youth and sway away from the idea of pursuing a higher level of education after high school.

[23] As Carti committed to pursuing music full-time, he made the significant decision to relocate to New York City, where he temporarily stayed with a drug dealer he knew.

[24] This connection was instrumental in Carti's career, leading him to accompany Rocky on a trip to Texas, marking the beginning of his rise in the music industry.

[16][1] In 2015, Carti began attracting widespread attention with the release of his singles "Broke Boi" and "Fetti," featuring Dash and Maxo Kream.

[25] Concurrently, Carti was actively collaborating with artists in Atlanta's burgeoning underground rap scene, including UnoTheActivist, Thouxanbanfauni, Yung Bans, Lil Yachty, as well as producers MexikoDro and Icytwat.

[27][28] Playboi Carti released his self-titled debut mixtape in April 2017, which garnered significant attention from major music publications such as XXL,[29] Pitchfork,[30] Spin,[31] HotNewHipHop,[32] and PopMatters.

[36] In June 2017, he was named one of XXL's "2017 Freshman Class," a list that also included rappers such as XXXTentacion, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, and Ugly God.

[42] During the next two years, numerous tracks, including the fan-favorite "Pissy Pamper" were leaked online, amassing tens of millions of streams.

[43] Despite the leaks, Carti did not release any new original music during this period, though he was featured on several singles, including "Baguettes in the Face" with Nav and A Boogie wit da Hoodie from DJ Mustard's album, and "Earfquake" by Tyler, the Creator.

[46] The following month, he was featured on Drake's single "Pain 1993", which debuted at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Carti's first entry into the chart's top ten.

[51][52][53] In June 2021, Playboi Carti was featured on tracks by Pi'erre Bourne, including "Switching Lanes," and Lil 1 Dte's single "Homixide".

[75] On December 15, 2024, Carti performed at Rolling Loud in Miami; he had announced weeks prior that he intended to play I Am Music during his one hour and fifteen minute set.

The music video for the song included Carter, ASAP Rocky, and Quavo wearing rare Raf Simons-designed clothing.

[82] Carter has modeled numerous times, including Louis Vuitton at Paris Fashion Week,[83] Kanye West's Yeezy Season 5,[84][85] VFiles,[86][87] and Drake's OVO Lookbook alongside Ian Connor and John Ross.

[88] Carter has cited influences from a variety of artists, including ASAP Rocky, Kanye West, Jay-Z, MF Doom, Slayer, the Sex Pistols, and Kiss.

[91] Carter's approach to music emphasizes atmosphere over traditional lyricism, with critics noting that his rapping is often "spare and repetitive," focusing more on flow and catchy phrases.

"[93] Carter's music primarily falls under the "mumble rap" genre, characterized by a focus on catchy hooks and infectious beats.

Songs like "Earfquake" and "Pissy Pamper" reflect his exploration of various vocal techniques, including his distinct "baby voice," which features high pitches and frantic cadences.

[96] In 2020, Carter released Whole Lotta Red, which further showcased his experimentation with sound, featuring inspirations of punk and metal into his hip-hop roots.

[97] This album marked a significant shift in his artistic direction, allowing him to delve into more intense themes while maintaining his signature melodic style.

[99] Carter is recognized for his unique vocal delivery, often described as a "baby voice" technique that captures attention with its high-pitched, unclear pronunciations.

[100] He has used this technique on popular songs such as "Almeda" with Solange, "Earfquake" with Tyler, the Creator, and "Pissy Pamper" with Young Nudy and Pi'erre Bourne.

[101] The New York Times noted that Carter's style seems to emphasize performance and persona over conventional rapping skills, allowing him to create a captivating experience for listeners.

After Carter was stopped by police for having an expired tag on his Lamborghini, authorities found 12 bags of marijuana, three guns, Xanax, codeine and oxycodone.

[122][123] It was reported on February 14, 2023, that Carter was arrested on December 29, 2022, on a felony assault charge after allegedly choking his girlfriend, who was 14 weeks pregnant.

[125] The label, which is based in Atlanta, Georgia, currently holds four acts all of whom are natives to the city; rappers Ken Carson and Destroy Lonely, and the duo Homixide Gang.

The label is also affiliated with a variety of producers including KP Beatz, F1lthy, and Art Dealer, who all worked extensively on Playboi Carti's second studio album, Whole Lotta Red.