He originally started rapping as Sir Cartier, releasing a mixtape titled THC: THE HIGH CHRONICAL$ on November 5, 2011, that has since been deleted from the Internet, because it was absolute balls. He followed up with the mixtape Young Mi$fit on November 12, 2012. He changed his artist name to Playboi Carti in May 2013. As Playboi Carti, he came into prominence in 2015 with his song Broke Boi. Initially a part of the Atlanta-based Awful Records label, he also performed at the fashion events such as Yeezy Season 5, VFiles, and Raf Simons events, with artists such as Lil Uzi Vert and A$AP Rocky. In 2016, he was featured on A$AP Mob's debut studio album, Cozy Tapes: Vol. 1 Friends -, on the tracks London Town and Telephone Calls, which the latter was released as the second single from the album.
Carti's eponymous debut mixtape, Playboi Carti, which features guest appearances from Lil Uzi Vert, A$AP Rocky, and Leven Kali, was released on April 14, 2017. The self-titled release gained attention from various music publications, including XXL, Pitchfork, Spin, HotNewHipHop, and PopMatters. XXL noted the track Magnolia as a standout cut, whereas Pitchfork critic Briana Younger thought that the release "finds a cloudy and economical mood and stays there, but it's Carti's magnetic confidence that turns just enough into plenty." The mixtape sold 28,051 units in its opening week.
In accompaniment with the mixtape's release, Carti embarked on a tour, which featured him as an opening act for Gucci Mane and Dreezy.
At the end of 2017, Carti was featured on A$AP Mob's Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy, A$AP Ferg's Still Striving, and NAV's Perfect Timing. Carti was meanwhile working on his debut album, Die Lit, which would be released on May 11, 2018.
Die Lit was an album that received mixed reviews, but fans of Carti enjoyed the album. Metacritic rated the album 71/100 with a user score of 8.2/10. Die Lit includes notable tracks such as Shoota, Foreign, Choppa Won't Miss, Mileage, and Poke it Out. This album included features from artists such as Lil Uzi Vert, Nicki Minaj, Chief Keef, Young Thug, Travis Scott, Skepta, and Bryson Tiller.
Since the release of Die Lit, Playboi Carti has embarked on his own tour, while featuring on songs such as Uh Uh (feat. Playboi Carti) on Chief Keef's Mansion Musick and Get Dripped on Lil Yachty's Nuthin' 2 Prove.
However, soon after the release of Die Lit and his tour, Carti was seen discussing a new album, titled Whole Lotta Red . Over the course of the next few years, songs from Whole Lotta Red would get leaked, or played by Carti himself at select shows. On November 23, 2020, Carti announced that the album had been submitted to his label, along with posting several blurry photos. He would later announce several collaborations, with artists such as Kanye West and Future. DJ Akademiks would later announce that the album would release on Christmas day, and was executively produced by Kanye West.
Whole Lotta Red's fan reception was polarizing at the start, but the album was met with positive critical reception. Metacritic rated the album 75/100 with a user score of 7.4/10. The album would later increase in popularity among Carti fans and music enjoyers alike over time — highly due to several tracks going viral on TikTok — and began receiving high praise.
Playboi Carti has announced that his next project, Music, is dropping "ASAP."
Don't Tell Nobody
Playboi Carti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah-yeah (yeah-yeah)
What the fuck these niggas got to say to me now?
I don't give a fuck
I'ma keep countin', nigga (ooh, ooh, ooh, Carti)
Keep countin', do all this shit all day, nigga
You can hear my jewelry in the motherfuckin' mic
Balenciagas (Balenciagas)
Balenciagas, anybody (nobody)
Dollars (uh), uh
Who that is? (Uh, Carti)
Plug
Plug plug, where you at?
Plu-plu-plug! (DJ Lil Keem, what up?)
Ooh, pipe up, yeah
Ooh, pipe up, pipe up, uh
Hoodrich
Balenciagas, I don't fuck with nobody (fuck with nobody)
I be in the field ready to pop on anybody (pop on anybody)
I just wanna bag that, bag that bitch I met at Follies (I met at Follies)
In a foreign drop top movin' with a thotty
Movin' with a thotty tryna fuck me for my clouty (clouty)
Movin' with a thotty tryna fuck me for my clouty (clouty)
Bring that ho upstairs, bring that ho upstairs (ho upstairs)
I brought that ho to the trap but please don't tell nobody (please, don't tell nobody)
Ho, don't tell nobody (ho, don't tell nobody)
Ho, don't tell nobody (ho, don't tell nobody)
Bitch, don't tell nobody (don't tell nobody)
Bitch, don't tell nobody (bitch, don't tell nobody)
I brought that ho to the trap but please don't tell nobody (please, don't tell nobody)
Ho, don't tell nobody (tell nobody)
Bitch, don't tell nobody, yeah, yeah, yeah, ayy
I say fuck the robbin' for this rap shit (rap shit)
Now I'm in LA fuckin' on a model bitch (model, model)
Runnin' with the same gang I been runnin' with (gang)
Designin' and trappin', baby, I'm so addicted
Been on the block, been movin' with it (block, block, block)
We motivated, motivated, our boys love to kick it
I spent a show on these shoes, boy, I love to kick it
I pay attention, don't pay attention, I'm payin' fuckin' attention
Number (N)ine, fuck the Trues, I'm so fuckin' different
I hang with shooters and killers that just got out of prison
Pipe up, pipe up, I got hella bitches, pipe up
Buyin' flights just to see a nigga, yeah-yeah
Balenciagas, I don't fuck with nobody (fuck with nobody)
I be in the field ready to pop on anybody (pop on anybody)
I just wanna bag that, bag that bitch I met at Follies (I met at Follies)
In a foreign drop top movin' with a thotty
Movin' with a thotty tryna fuck me for my clouty (clouty)
Movin' with a thotty tryna fuck me for my clouty (clouty)
Bring that ho upstairs, bring that ho upstairs (ho upstairs)
I brought that ho to the trap but please don't tell nobody (please, don't tell nobody)
Ho, don't tell nobody (ho, don't tell nobody)
Ho, don't tell nobody (ho, don't tell nobody)
Bitch, don't tell nobody (don't tell nobody)
Bitch, don't tell nobody (bitch, don't tell nobody)
I brought that ho to the trap but please don't tell nobody (please, don't tell nobody)
Ho, don't tell nobody (tell nobody)
Bitch, don't tell nobody, yeah, yeah, yeah, ayy (Hoodrich, bitch)
Bitch, don't tell nobody
Bitch, don't tell nobody, baby, oh, don't tell nobody
When I pull up in your hood, boy, don't tell nobody
When I pull up in that Range, bitch, don't tell nobody
I got to do it for my boys, they gon' shoot anybody
They shoot anybody, aim straight first at anybody
I'm off the Percs, I'm off the Xans, I don't feel anybody
Cash Carti, money bags, boy, anybody, yeah, yeah, yeah
Hoodrich Keem
Plug, plug
Plu-plug!
In Playboi Carti's song Don't Tell Nobody, the rapper emphasizes his disregard for the opinions of others and his focus on his own interests. He raps about keeping a count of his earnings, wearing Balenciagas, and being in the field ready to confront anyone who disses him. The song's title refers to a secret encounter Carti has with a woman he met at Follies, a popular Atlanta strip club. Despite the hook imploring her not to tell anyone about their time together, the lyricism in the verses suggests he wants both his adversaries and his fans to know about his actions. He spends money on designer clothes, hangs out with shooters who just got out of prison, and attracts women who want to be with him for his fame.
One interpretation of Don't Tell Nobody is that it showcases the fast-paced, flashy lifestyle of a successful rapper. Carti brags about his wealth and experiences, even if it means putting himself at risk or engaging in activities that may be frowned upon by society. However, another reading of the song is that it presents a cautionary tale for those who let their ambitions override their better judgement, leading them down a path of potential danger or harm.
Line by Line Meaning
DJ Lil Keem, what up?
Greeting DJ Lil Keem
Yeah-yeah (yeah-yeah)
Repeating response in agreement
What the fuck these niggas got to say to me now?
Questioning why anyone would have anything to say to him
I don't give a fuck
Expressing lack of care or concern
I'ma keep countin', nigga (ooh, ooh, ooh, Carti)
Continuing to count money despite distractions
Keep countin', do all this shit all day, nigga
Focusing solely on making money all day every day
You can hear my jewelry in the motherfuckin' mic
Jewelry is so large and loud that it can be heard in recordings
Balenciagas (Balenciagas)
Wearing Balenciaga brand clothing
I can't fuck with nobody (Number (N)ine jeans, bitch)
Avoiding association with anyone while also mentioning another luxury brand of clothing
Balenciagas, anybody (nobody)
Preferring to only associate with those who wear the same luxury brand of clothing
Dollars (uh), uh
Acknowledging the presence of money
Who that is? (Uh, Carti)
Asking who someone is while stating his own name
Plug
Referring to a drug dealer
Plug plug, where you at?
Asking where the drug dealer is
Plu-plu-plug! (DJ Lil Keem, what up?)
Excitedly greeting the drug dealer with DJ Lil Keem
Ooh, pipe up, yeah
Encouraging someone to speak up and be heard
Ooh, pipe up, pipe up, uh
Repeating encouragement to speak up
Hoodrich
Referring to his association with the Hoodrich organization
Balenciagas, I don't fuck with nobody (fuck with nobody)
Preferring to be alone while wearing Balenciaga brand clothing
I be in the field ready to pop on anybody (pop on anybody)
Being prepared to defend himself against anyone
I just wanna bag that, bag that bitch I met at Follies (I met at Follies)
Wanting to pursue a woman he met at the strip club Follies
In a foreign drop top movin' with a thotty
Driving a foreign car with a promiscuous woman
Movin' with a thotty tryna fuck me for my clouty (clouty)
Being pursued by a woman who is only interested in him for his fame
Bring that ho upstairs, bring that ho upstairs (ho upstairs)
Inviting the woman to come upstairs with him
I brought that ho to the trap but please don't tell nobody (please, don't tell nobody)
Bringing the woman to a trap house but asking to keep it a secret
Ho, don't tell nobody (ho, don't tell nobody)
Asking the woman not to tell anyone about their encounter
Bitch, don't tell nobody (don't tell nobody)
Using an expletive while asking the woman to keep their encounter a secret
Bitch, don't tell nobody (bitch, don't tell nobody)
Repeating the request for the woman not to tell anyone
Ho, don't tell nobody (tell nobody)
Repeating the request for the woman not to tell anyone
Bitch, don't tell nobody, yeah, yeah, yeah, ayy
Continuing to ask the woman not to tell anyone about their encounter
I say fuck the robbin' for this rap shit (rap shit)
Preferring to pursue a career in rap instead of committing crimes
Now I'm in LA fuckin' on a model bitch (model, model)
Engaging in sexual activity with a model in Los Angeles
Runnin' with the same gang I been runnin' with (gang)
Remaining loyal to his group of friends or associates
Designin' and trappin', baby, I'm so addicted
Having a strong interest in designing and selling drugs
Been on the block, been movin' with it (block, block, block)
Being present on the streets and constantly hustling
We motivated, motivated, our boys love to kick it
Being driven to succeed while also enjoying spending time with friends
I spent a show on these shoes, boy, I love to kick it
Spending a lot of money on shoes and enjoying showing them off
I pay attention, don't pay attention, I'm payin' fuckin' attention
Being aware of his surroundings despite appearing not to be
Number (N)ine, fuck the Trues, I'm so fuckin' different
Preferring the Number (N)ine clothing brand and expressing his individuality
I hang with shooters and killers that just got out of prison
Spending time with dangerous people who have recently been released from incarceration
Pipe up, pipe up, I got hella bitches, pipe up
Boasting about having many promiscuous women
Buyin' flights just to see a nigga, yeah-yeah
Having women travel to him from other locations
Bitch, don't tell nobody, yeah, yeah, yeah, ayy (Hoodrich, bitch)
Repeating the request for secrecy while acknowledging his association with the Hoodrich organization
Bitch, don't tell nobody
Asking the woman not to reveal their encounter
Bitch, don't tell nobody, baby, oh, don't tell nobody
Continuing to ask the woman not to tell anyone
When I pull up in your hood, boy, don't tell nobody
Asking those in a specific area not to reveal his presence or whereabouts
When I pull up in that Range, bitch, don't tell nobody
Asking a woman not to reveal his presence when he arrives in his Range Rover
I got to do it for my boys, they gon' shoot anybody
Protecting his friends by having them act as his security
They shoot anybody, aim straight first at anybody
Having his security be ready to use force if necessary
I'm off the Percs, I'm off the Xans, I don't feel anybody
Consuming drugs that numb his emotions and make him feel invincible
Cash Carti, money bags, boy, anybody, yeah, yeah, yeah
Claiming to have a lot of money and power
Hoodrich Keem
Referring to DJ Lil Keem's involvement in the Hoodrich organization
Plug, plug
Referring to the drug dealer again
Plu-plug!
Exclaiming about the drug dealer
Writer(s): Cameron Pitts, Jordan Terrell Carter
Contributed by Dominic O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DariusDinero
2019 🙋🏾♂️?
@TitusRec1
2024
@micahwilliams1219
This song is a drug. Carti captures a lifestyle when he raps. He raps like he that wants you to remember when you didn’t gaf and get high asf and partying at night. He never wanted more than to just have fun and let loose.
@nunu4evaaa
motivation fr🙏🏽
@bazingadepression5675
Doing cartwheels on his meat
@codykanitz97
My favorite Carti song.. I miss that 2015 underground era 😩
@natedawg9006
Cody Kanz yeah I hate it wen they go viral... All the little kids and they grandma know him now
@codykanitz97
NATE DAWG foreal, they don't know Mexikodro and the influence he put on Carti!
@byronhoog9634
what about ethereal and carti that what really got him started the awful records days
@codykanitz97
byron hoog
yeah he made them chill ass beats, I agree