The primary production was handled by F1lthy and Art Dealer, alongside a host of other producers, including Pi'erre Bourne, Maaly Raw, Lil 88, Jasper Harris, Ojivolta, and Wheezy.

Whole Lotta Red received generally positive reviews from music critics upon release, with praise for its experimental production and Carti's distinctive vocal style.

[6][7] The anticipation for Whole Lotta Red continued to build as Carti featured on Tyler, the Creator's "Earfquake", the lead single from Igor, where fans noticed his distinctive "baby voice" style.

[9] In a June 2019 interview with The Fader, Carti shared that he had begun recording Whole Lotta Red in late 2018, with sessions held at DJ Drama's Means Street Studios in Atlanta and at his own home.

[15][16][17] DJ Akademiks, a prominent media figure, added to the excitement by tweeting that Whole Lotta Red was scheduled to drop on Christmas Day and would be executively produced by Kanye West, even claiming he "nearly sold his soul" to obtain this information.

[24] The album features production from several prominent producers within the contemporary trap scene, including Pi'erre Bourne, Art Dealer, Outtatown, Star Boy, F1lthy, Juberlee, Richie Souf, Maaly Raw, and Wheezy, among others.

These producers collectively help deliver Whole Lotta Red's distinctive, modern trap sound, characterized by its abrasive, experimental beats and unconventional song structures.

The album's innovative production and Carti's unique vocal performance have been key to its polarizing yet impactful reception in the rap and trap music landscape.

[14][22] The album's visual aesthetic, as well as the accompanying merchandise designs, have been noted by journalists for their influence from heavy metal imagery, further contributing to the rebellious, punk-inspired vibe of the project.

Despite shifting his vocal approach at times on the album, Carti still incorporates his signature "baby voice" style across various tracks, reinforcing his distinctive sound and artistic identity.

[34] Paul A. Thompson of Pitchfork described Whole Lotta Red as "both wildly innovative and strikingly consistent", praising the "bright and serrated beats" and Carti's "outré, expressive" vocals.

[27] Reviewing the album for PopMatters, Semassa Boko stated, "Whole Lotta Red demonstrates Playboi Carti's commitment to dynamic growth and experimentation.

[39] Colin Dempsey of Spectrum Culture praised the album, stating, "Carti comes into his own by stepping into the coffin of a vampire, scoffing at every critique tossed towards his vaudeville fangs".

[38] In a negative review, Beats Per Minute's Mimi Kenny stated: "Whole Lotta Red has a vibe the same way a TGI Fridays has an atmosphere; it just rides a wave of different shades of lifeless trap, an endless TikTok dance in purgatory.

"[36] Veteran critic Robert Christgau highlighted "Rockstar Made" and "Punk Monk" while conceding that Playboi Carti "sounds like nobody else", but concluded that he "means as little as any rapper of consequence ever".