Playboi Carti Caught Between Controversy and Success
Playboi Carti is in a peculiar position. On one hand, he has become Kanye West’s latest target on social media. The rapper who once championed Carti’s artistry has now turned into a vocal critic, dragging Carti’s name through the mud and resurfacing his troubled past. On the other hand, Carti is riding high off the success of his latest album, MUSIC. The project is on track to debut at number one, boasting the biggest first-week sales since Taylor Swift—an impressive feat that solidifies Carti’s dominance in modern hip-hop. Now, Carti seems intent on tuning out the negativity and focusing on the music, as he’s already back in the studio.
The rapper recently shared photos of himself in the studio alongside Ken Carson and ASAP Rocky, accompanied by the caption, “NAH FR.” Fans were thrilled at the sight of these three artists together, especially given that each has a highly anticipated project on the way. Ken Carson has confirmed he will release an album in 2025, while Carti has already teased his follow-up to MUSIC, titled BABY BOI. Meanwhile, ASAP Rocky has been teasing his long-awaited project, DON’T BE DUMB, which has been in the works for years. Carti and Rocky have a long history of collaborations, dating back to 2016’s “Telephone Calls,” and their continued partnership has fans eager to hear what’s next.
The Relationship Between Playboi Carti and ASAP Rocky
ASAP Rocky has been one of Playboi Carti’s most vocal supporters. In a 2024 interview with Billboard, Rocky praised Carti for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop in recent years. “That’s where rap is. I knew that’s what it was going to be,” he stated. “What do people expect? We not just signing people to be signing people. We want to be the best of the best.”
Interestingly, Rocky has remained exempt from Kanye West’s social media tirades, despite West’s recent trend of calling out former collaborators and friends. Not only did West publicly celebrate Rocky’s not-guilty verdict in a recent trial, but he also stayed at the rapper’s Los Angeles home throughout the proceedings.
Both Rocky and Carti were initially included on West’s February list of artists who hadn’t “crossed” him—a rare distinction that included the likes of Quavo, Young Thug, and Eminem. However, it seems Carti has since been removed. West has since criticized him for publicly supporting his daughter, North, and placed him on a new list of individuals he considers to have “betrayed” him. Shockingly, this list even included his own daughter.
Despite the drama, Playboi Carti appears unfazed. He’s keeping his head down and continuing to craft new music, determined to ride the wave of success that MUSIC has brought him. Whether he and Kanye West will reconcile remains to be seen, but for now, Carti seems focused on creating and moving forward with his career.
