Playboi Carti claims he’s been banned from Met Gala

Playboi Carti is having a moment—and the world is watching. The Atlanta-born rapper, known for his genre-pushing sound and rebellious style, has returned to center stage in a major way. Within just two months, Carti has released a headline-dominating album, claimed he was banned from one of fashion’s most elite events, and announced a stadium tour alongside The Weeknd.

Carti and the Met Gala: A Fashion Icon Shut Out

Just weeks after Music dropped, Carti found himself at the center of an unexpected controversy. The rapper claimed he was banned from attending the 2025 Met Gala—one of the most prestigious and exclusive fashion events in the world.

What Happened?

According to Carti, he attempted to attend the Met Gala with his girlfriend, Gio. The couple arrived at the event but were allegedly turned away. The rapper later took to social media to express his confusion and frustration.

No official explanation has been provided by Met Gala organizers. There’s been speculation about whether the issue was with his guest status, dress code, or past controversies. Some fashion insiders suggested that Carti’s unpredictable persona may have conflicted with the tightly curated nature of the event.

Why It Matters

Carti has long been considered a fashion risk-taker. He’s walked Paris runways, graced the cover of Vogue, and even inspired trends in streetwear and high fashion. Being banned from an event like the Met Gala raises questions about who gets to be part of the “fashion elite” and who is kept out—even when they influence fashion more than the attendees themselves.

The incident adds to Carti’s mythos as an outsider who doesn’t conform, even in elite spaces.

‘Music’ Album: A Sonic Evolution and Chart Triumph

On March 14, 2025, Carti released Music, his long-anticipated follow-up to Whole Lotta Red (2020). Fans had been waiting years, and Carti didn’t disappoint. With 35 tracks in total, the album is one of the most ambitious releases of the year.

An All-Star Roster of Collaborators

The album features a who’s who of music royalty—Future, Kendrick Lamar, Jhené Aiko, Travis Scott, and The Weeknd all make appearances. Each collaboration brings a different flavor, but they’re all unified by Carti’s unique vision.

Kendrick adds lyrical gravity to “Mirrorworld,” while Jhené Aiko’s smooth vocals contrast beautifully with Carti’s raspy delivery on “Fall Through.” The Weeknd’s contribution to “Vamp Night” is haunting and cinematic, and Travis Scott energizes “Riot Proof” with classic rage-era vibes.

Production That Pushes Boundaries

Carti is not just experimenting—he’s evolving. Gone is the dominant “baby voice” of Whole Lotta Red. Instead, Music leans into darker, grittier tones. The production is dense and layered, often blending trap with elements of punk, noise, and electronic influences.

Producers like Metro Boomin, Pi’erre Bourne, and F1lthy helped shape the album’s sound. Tracks like “Mojo Jojo” and “Heartless Mode” feature jarring beat switches, distorted synths, and minimalist drum loops that create a hypnotic experience. Carti uses vocal distortion and reverb effects not as gimmicks, but as artistic tools.

Critical and Commercial Reception

Music debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, earning nearly 300,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. That marks Carti’s second time topping the charts, following the surprise success of Whole Lotta Red on Christmas Day 2020.

On streaming platforms, the numbers were equally impressive. Spotify reported over 134 million global streams within the first 24 hours, making it one of the biggest hip-hop debuts of the year. On Apple Music, Music took up more than half of the Top 20 songs during release week.

Critics, often divided over Carti’s earlier work, largely praised the album. Many noted his maturation as both an artist and cultural icon, comparing his fearless experimentation to artists like Kanye West and Lil Uzi Vert.

On Tour With The Weeknd: A Summer to Remember

Next on Carti’s agenda: a massive stadium tour with The Weeknd. The After Hours Til Dawn Tour kicks off May 9, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona, and will stretch across North America, wrapping up in San Antonio on September 3.

More Than Just a Guest Spot

This isn’t just a quick opening act situation. Carti is set to perform full-length sets, bringing the Music experience to life on stage. Given the theatrical nature of both artists’ work, fans are expecting an immersive tour, complete with cutting-edge visuals, set design, and unreleased material.

Their chemistry is no fluke. Carti and The Weeknd previously worked together on “Timeless,” from The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow album, and the aforementioned Music collab “Vamp Night.” Their combined energy has become a major draw for fans of experimental pop and trap.

What Fans Can Expect

• A Dual-Audience Experience: The tour will cater to both Carti’s energetic, mosh-pit-loving fans and The Weeknd’s pop-soul audience.
• New Merch Drops: Exclusive merch is expected to launch at tour stops—something both artists are known to do.
• Unreleased Songs: Carti hinted at premiering new tracks during the tour. It wouldn’t be out of character if he drops another mixtape mid-tour.

Why Carti Is Still Winning

In a music landscape crowded with imitators and algorithm-driven artists, Carti stands out. He refuses to follow trends and instead sets them—intentionally or not. His mystique, visual identity, and genre-fluid sound continue to inspire countless up-and-coming rappers and producers.

Whether you connect with his lyrics or simply admire the aesthetic, there’s no denying Carti is one of the most influential figures in rap and youth culture today.

The Bigger Picture: Carti as a Cultural Force

What makes Carti compelling isn’t just his music or fashion. It’s the way he balances accessibility with mystery. He rarely gives interviews, almost never explains his creative decisions, and maintains an elusive presence online. That mystique turns fans into detectives, pouring over visuals, leaks, and cryptic tweets.

The Music album rollout proved this. With minimal promotion, Carti let the product speak for itself. No hour-long interviews, no elaborate PR campaign. Just art, released on his terms.

Playboi Carti’s 2025 run has been nothing short of dominant. From topping charts with Music, stirring headlines with the Met Gala drama, and gearing up for a stadium tour with The Weeknd, he’s proving once again that he’s not just an artist—he’s a movement.

Whether you admire him for his artistry, fashion sense, or refusal to play by the rules, one thing is clear: Playboi Carti is here to stay—and 2025 might be his most iconic year yet.