Playboi Carti’s “Music” album earns third week at number one in US

Playboi Carti’s “Music” album scores third week at number one

Playboi Carti is no stranger to musical disruption. Since emerging from the SoundCloud era with a magnetic and unpredictable energy, he’s evolved into one of the most polarizing and innovative figures in modern hip-hop. Now, with the release of his third studio album, Music, Carti has once again captured the cultural zeitgeist — and the numbers don’t lie.

Released in March 2025, Music marks Carti’s first full-length project since Whole Lotta Red (2020). The 35-track album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and it has since returned to the top of the chart, making it Carti’s second career-topping project and his longest-running chart success to date. This week, Music sold 64,000 additional units, per Chart Data. This is more than a victory lap — it’s a reinvention.

A Sonically Diverse Playground

Carti’s Music is bold, dense, and at times, deliberately chaotic. It isn’t designed to follow traditional structures or trends. Instead, it carves out a soundscape of its own — blending abrasive trap beats with gothic ambiance, electro-punk, and industrial undertones.

Where Whole Lotta Red turned heads for its aggressive minimalism, Music is expansive and experimental. Tracks like “Evil J0rdan” and “Mojo Jojo” showcase Carti’s move away from his signature baby voice into deeper, more guttural deliveries that feel alien, cinematic, and at times hypnotic.

Critics have described the album as a “post-genre odyssey,” while fans online have embraced it as Carti’s most personal and ambitious work yet. His growth as both a rapper and a producer is evident — with Carti even handling much of the album’s production alongside heavyweights like Metro Boomin, Cardo, F1lthy, and Art Dealer.

Stacked Collaborations with Industry Giants

One of the album’s biggest talking points is its staggering list of features. Rather than using big names to carry the album, Carti uses them as tools to amplify the message and push the boundaries of sound.

Featured artists include:

• The Weeknd (on “Rather Lie”) – Their collaborative chemistry continues from 2024’s “Timeless.”

• Kendrick Lamar (on “Backd00r”) – Arguably the most lyrically intricate verse on the album.

• Young Thug – Reuniting with Carti for multiple genre-defying tracks.

• Future – Their ATL synergy still hits as hard as ever.

• Travis Scott Appearing on five songs, the sonic textures here are peak rage.

• Jhené Aiko – An unexpected yet ethereal feature on the track “Backd00r.”

These collaborations don’t just pad the album’s runtime — they form part of its narrative. Carti moves fluidly between their styles while maintaining his own unique sonic signature. The result is a project that’s as immersive as it is replayable.

Chart Domination and Streaming Breakthroughs

Music made an immediate impact upon release. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 298,000 album-equivalent units, including over 384 million streams in its first week — the highest streaming debut of any album since 2024.

The project also broke Spotify records, earning over 134 million first-day streams, making it the seventh-highest streamed album in a single day globally.

All 30 songs from Music simultaneously charted on the Billboard Hot 100 — a milestone reached by only a handful of artists in music history. This massive presence underscores not just Carti’s star power, but also the growing influence of experimental hip-hop in mainstream spaces.

Carti’s Influence on Sound and Culture

What makes Music especially powerful is its long-term cultural influence. Playboi Carti is often cited as one of the main architects of the “rage” sound — a subgenre of trap music known for its distorted synths and punk-inspired delivery. Artists like Yeat, Ken Carson, and Destroy Lonely — all affiliated with Carti’s Opium label — carry that torch forward.

By continuing to push the sonic envelope, Music cements Carti’s role not just as a performer, but as a curator and visionary for a new era of hip-hop. He’s not just making music; he’s shaping the blueprint.

A Major Tour Move: Carti Joins The Weeknd

Adding fuel to the fire, Playboi Carti is set to join The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn Tour, starting in May 2025. This is a major co-sign, especially given how tightly curated The Weeknd’s performance spaces tend to be.

The two have collaborated on multiple tracks since 2024, and their onstage chemistry is anticipated to translate into electric performances. Also joining the tour is Mike Dean, the iconic producer behind much of The Weeknd’s and Kanye West’s sound design.

Carti will perform in massive venues across North America, including a back-to-back show at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on July 4 and 5. With both artists pushing the boundaries of performance art, these shows are likely to be as visually intense as they are sonically rich.

What Fans Can Expect Live

If you’ve seen Carti live, you know his shows are not for the faint-hearted. Mosh pits, stage dives, chaotic lighting, and fans screaming every lyric — that’s standard. But with Music, there’s a new layer of depth.

Fans can expect:

• Visually immersive sets that reflect the album’s darker themes.

• Guest appearances — maybe even a surprise drop?

• A possible debut of deluxe tracks from the rumored Music Deluxe.

Between Carti’s enigmatic presence and The Weeknd’s stadium-sized storytelling, this tour is shaping up to be a cultural moment in its own right.

The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Carti?

Although Carti rarely speaks to the press, those close to the rapper suggest he’s already hard at work on his next chapter. In fact, a deluxe edition also recently dropped with five more songs added.

There’s also growing speculation about a follow-up project titled Baby Boi — an album that Carti has cryptically referenced as his most “intimate” yet.

With his Opium label also gaining momentum — featuring rising stars like Ken Carson and Destroy Lonely — Carti is positioning himself as a mogul as well as a musical force.

The Cult of Carti Keeps Growing

In an era where attention spans are short and trends move fast, Playboi Carti has done the impossible: he’s maintained mystique while dominating the mainstream. Music isn’t just an album — it’s a bold, sprawling experiment that captures where hip-hop is now, and where it’s headed.

By continuing to innovate, challenge norms, and deliver unforgettable experiences, Carti isn’t just shaping the future of music — he’s already living in it.