Photo: Robert Henry
"Soundcloud rapper" "When's the hook stop?" "This is trash" "Dave East is better"
"King of Soundcloud" "In New York I milly rock" "Goat" " Who is Dave East?"
If you identify with the top row, chances are you've hated every XXL Freshman Class since 2010 and Rick Ross is in your top 5. If the bottom row is you, then chances are you have the Supreme app on your phone and you think Kendrick is boring. These two sides have been going at each other since Carti dropped his long-anticipated debut mixtape. The top row thinks the bottom row is in denial and doesn't understand real rap. But the top row just doesn't understand the love Carti's fans have for him.
Playboi Carti delayed his tape for two years, and his fans didn't flinch. Fetty Wap hasn't dropped a song for the radio in a while, and his fans treat him like Akon. So where does the love for Playboi Carti come from? Simply put, the love comes from Carti being himself. He's unapologetically nonchalant and even refused to drop his mixtape, until he found the producer who could make that "Carti sound". From his personality, to his clothes, to his lyrics, Carti's fans admire/want his life.
via XXL.com
Carti casually wears our grails, hangs out with A$AP, and gets more females than this post has words. The youth was bound to idolize him, regardless of what his music sound likes. So when Carti's lyrics are filled with mentions of his: females, jewelry, clothes, and pills, his fans only go harder behind him; and anyone that doesn't like Carti is just an ugly "broke boi" "on some other shit". The average listener probably stops the song after the 10th "yeah" or "ouh", but these ad-libs only add to the massive confidence of a Carti fan. See Carti doesn't make the lyrical Kendrick music, the rap-along Drake music or the soulful Chance music; he makes the "Look at me, I could have you girl if I want" music.
Next time you listen to Playboi Carti, don't compare him to any other artist. Don't call him trash or ask where's the substance. Don't immediately hate or try to diss anyone who likes him. Just know Carti's music is painting the picture of the life most youth strive for.