After an hours-long delay, Playboi Carti has finally dropped I Am Music, his third studio album, on Friday.
The long-awaited release was further delayed after missing the typical midnight drop time, adding to fans’ anticipation. More than four years after his last project, Carti has returned with a 30-track album spanning an hour and 17 minutes, packed with star-studded collaborations.
The album features appearances from Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Future, Young Thug, and Lil Uzi Vert. Notably, Carti hinted that Young Thug’s involvement contributed to the delay, posting on X Thursday night, “HAD 2 MAKE SURE SLIMEEEE WAS ON DIS MF.”
Since debuting with his self-titled mixtape in 2017, Carti has cemented himself as one of rap’s most influential artists. His breakout hit “Magnolia” has since gone triple platinum, solidifying his place in the industry. Fans had been eagerly awaiting new music for years, and Carti officially confirmed the album’s release earlier this week.
I Am Music is expected to make a major impact on the charts. Despite not releasing a full project since 2020, Carti has remained active with high-profile features, including Travis Scott’s “Fein,” Future and Metro Boomin’s “Type Shit,” and Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s “Carnival.”
Carti will likely promote his latest release with a headlining set at Rolling Loud California this Saturday, ensuring a powerful launch for I Am Music.