A year after the release of his debut mixtape, Atlanta rapper Playboi Carti issued his first official studio album, Die Lit.
Featuring varied production by IndigoChildRick, Maaly Raw, and Carti himself, the set balances Carti's sing-rapping with playful triplet delivery in a style similar to Lil Uzi Vert, Post Malone, and Lil Yachty.
Carti also recruits an impressive list of guests like U.K.
grime MC Skepta ("Lean 4 Real"), Travis Scott ("Love Hurts"), Nicki Minaj ("Poke It Out"), Bryson Tiller ("Fell in Luv"), Chief Keef ("Mileage"), Young Thug ("Choppa Won't Miss"), and more.
Skepta and Minaj emerge on top, pairing with Carti on the more memorable collaborations.
Content-wise, there are few surprises, with graphic sex and youthful hedonism occupying much of the album's narrative.
"R.I.P." boasts a big game about what he'd do to foes and their girls, while "Pull Up" delivers lightning-quick bars over skittering production that leans more heavily on random noises than on actual rhyming.
Like Rae Sremmurd and Migos, these big-bass trap anthems owe much to their club-friendly vibe, but offer little in terms of substance or lasting impact.