Playboi Carti, whose long-teased I Am Music album did not—despite widespread rumors suggesting otherwise—arrive before 2024’s end, is letting fans in on some of the high-profile encouragement he’s been getting in his DMs.
This week, Carti shared a screenshot to his Instagram Stories of what’s alleged to be a concise but no less encouraging message from none other than Erykah Badu.
“Love u,” Badu is shown writing in the screenshot, seen below. “Keep on.”
Fans had hoped that Carti's new album, his first since 2020's Whole Lotta Red, would follow a similar strategy as that No. 1 blockbuster, i.e. it would be gifted with a surprise release shrewdly timed with the 2024 holiday season. Tragically, this did not happen.
2024, however, was not without its Carti-centered victories, as new music from the "Carnival" Grammy nominee did arrive, albeit not to the extent that fans would have hoped. A number of loosies were released, complete with style-forward (and largely lo-fi) videos, not to mention Carti's multiple appearances across Ye and Ty's Vultures volumes.
"Carnival," one such entry, is up for Best Rap Song at next month's Grammys.
Last November, just as I Am Music hype hit a new peak, Carti stormed ComplexCon’s 2024 edition (this time held in Vegas, a first for the annual gathering). Take a look back at what transpired by taking a short trip in this general direction.
