Die Lit (2018) - Playboi Carti

 

Released on May 11, 2018, Die Lit is Playboi Carti’s debut studio album and a defining moment in modern trap music. Building on the success of his 2017 self-titled mixtape, Die Lit refines Carti’s minimalist, ad-lib-heavy approach, creating an album that prioritizes energy and atmosphere over traditional lyrical depth. With production largely handled by Pi'erre Bourne, the album is a hypnotic, free-flowing experience that has influenced a new generation of rappers.

Tracklist:

1. Long Time (Intro)
2. R.I.P.
3. Lean 4 Real (feat. Skepta)
4. Old Money
5. Love Hurts (feat. Travis Scott)
6. Shoota (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)
7. Right Now (feat. Pi’erre Bourne)
8. Poke It Out (feat. Nicki Minaj)
9. Home (KOD)
10. Fell in Luv (feat. Bryson Tiller)
11. Foreign
12. Pull Up
13. Mileage (feat. Chief Keef)
14. FlatBed Freestyle
15. No Time (feat. Gunna)
16. Middle of the Summer (feat. Red Coldhearted)
17. Choppa Won’t Miss (feat. Young Thug)
18. R.I.P. Fredo
19. Top
20. Faneto (Bonus Track) [Streaming versions do not include this track]

Album Overview:

Die Lit is all about controlled chaos. Carti’s signature “baby voice” isn’t fully developed here, but his emphasis on repetitive flows, infectious energy, and ad-libs make the album feel more like a sonic experience than a lyrical one. Pi’erre Bourne’s ethereal, spacey production provides the perfect backdrop, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that blends rage and euphoria.

• Long Time (Intro) sets the tone with a melancholic, spacey beat as Carti reflects on his rise from underground cult figure to mainstream star.
• R.I.P. is an explosive mosh-pit anthem with distorted 808s and Carti’s relentless energy driving the track forward.
• Shoota featuring Lil Uzi Vert is one of the most polished songs on the album, with Uzi’s verse adding a melodic contrast to Carti’s bouncy delivery.
• Love Hurts featuring Travis Scott is dark and hypnotic, with Carti and Travis weaving in and out of the beat.
• FlatBed Freestyle is a fan favorite, with a surreal, almost otherworldly beat that complements Carti’s erratic flow.
• No Time featuring Gunna is one of the more relaxed tracks, showcasing Pi’erre Bourne’s ability to craft dreamy, looping instrumentals.
• R.I.P. Fredo pays homage to Fredo Santana, a pioneer of Chicago drill music, with a menacing beat and aggressive delivery.

The black-and-white album cover, shot by Nick Walker, features Carti mid-stage dive, captured in a moment of pure adrenaline. It perfectly encapsulates the album’s chaotic, high-energy vibe—music designed for wild, uninhibited experiences. The punk-inspired imagery and raw energy reflect Carti’s desire to push the boundaries of trap music, making Die Lit feel as much like a movement as an album.

Die Lit didn’t just solidify Playboi Carti’s place in hip-hop; it changed the way trap music is approached. It’s less about technical rapping and more about feeling—whether that’s the high-energy madness of R.I.P. or the ethereal float of No Time. This album proved that Carti’s influence goes beyond just catchy songs; he’s a trendsetter, shaping the sound of modern rap in ways that are still being felt today.