ALL RED - Playboi Carti's Trap Banger Returns
Playboi Carti marks his return to the solo scene with "ALL RED," a classic Carti trap banger off his forthcoming album I Am Music. The track opens with an eerie synth that sets the stage for the aggressive beats and mumble rap vocals that Carti is known for. The head-bopping beat, catchy hook, and signature Carti flow create an undeniably infectious energy. While the mid-section showcases Carti's signature mumble rap style, where his lyrics become somewhat inaudible, the compelling beats carry the song forward.
A New Vocal Cadence
"ALL RED" features Carti experimenting with a deeper vocal register, a change first noticed in his feature on Kanye West's "Mr. Miyagi." This shift in vocal delivery aligns with hints of a sonic evolution suggested in a Spring 2022 XXL Magazine article about an unreleased Carti track titled "Wicked."
The Leaked Video and Summer Smash Preview
The song's journey to release was marked by a leaked snippet of a video preview in April 2023, followed by the full video surfacing online a month later. The video, shot in February 2022, captured Carti in the studio with a crew including F1LTHY, Gud, Joy Divizn, Luka Sabbat, Matthew Williams, and Yung Lean. Carti further fueled anticipation by previewing the full song during his set at Lyrical Lemonade's Summer Smash music festival in June 2024.
The Release
On September 12, 2024, Carti announced via the Opium Instagram account the midnight release of "ALL RED," accompanied by its striking artwork designed by SEXISDEATH and Dawid.
All Red Production Credits
The track boasts production contributions from F1LTHY, Ojivolta, Lucian, Lukrative & Twisco.
Playboi Carti ALL RED Review
"ALL RED" delivers a quintessential Playboi Carti experience, blending aggressive beats, catchy hooks, and a touch of experimentation with his vocal style. The song serves as an exciting precursor to his upcoming album, I Am Music, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what Carti has in store next.
Listen To Playboi Carti All Red
Playboi Carti ALL RED Lyrics Meaning Explained
"Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up"
The upside-down cross has multiple layers of meaning. Traditionally associated with the martyrdom of Saint Peter in Christianity, it has also become a symbol for anti-Christian sentiments or Satanism in modern times. Carti, who has the symbol tattooed on his body, seems to embrace the controversial nature of this symbol, possibly to provoke or "shut up" critics who question his artistry or lifestyle. The repetition emphasizes his ownership of this imagery and how it relates to his persona.
This plays into the broader theme of Carti's "King Vamp" identity, which he has crafted around rebellion, darkness, and edginess. By using a symbol that has been co-opted by both religious and anti-religious groups, Carti suggests that his character transcends traditional morality and societal norms.
"The Bentley is parked outside, my vibe tryna go for a ride"
This line juxtaposes Carti's luxurious lifestyle (driving a Bentley) with his nonchalant attitude. It showcases a life of wealth, where his vibe—essentially his mood or energy—is personified as wanting to engage in thrill-seeking, carefree activities. It underscores how his wealth and success fuel his ability to live freely and recklessly.
"I put VETEMENTS right on her thighs, I put the mask on 'cause I be fried"
VETEMENTS is a high-end fashion brand that Carti frequently wears, symbolizing his affinity for luxury and style. The "mask" could refer to Carti hiding his true self or protecting his identity while under the influence ("fried" likely referring to being high). It represents how fashion, drugs, and an altered state of mind all contribute to his carefully curated persona.
"All red, I stay with the Five5s, all red, we pull up and fire"
The color red has multiple meanings here. In gang culture, red is associated with the Bloods and other groups like the Five5s, who use the color and five-pointed stars as symbols. Carti references this gang affiliation, associating it with loyalty, brotherhood, and violence ("pull up and fire" suggesting an attack). The theme of aggression and confrontation is central to much of Carti's music, creating a sense of fearlessness and living on the edge.
"Just like Madden, you can get blitzed"
The "Madden" video game reference connects the idea of blitzing (a football term for rushing the quarterback) to street violence, implying that an opponent could be attacked quickly and unexpectedly. This furthers Carti's persona of unpredictability and aggression, constantly challenging others with both metaphorical and literal threats.
"This is a thot, she can't be my bitch"
Carti distances himself from women he perceives as promiscuous ("thots"), claiming they don't meet the standards he holds for a serious partner. This reflects a common theme in rap where women are often categorized and judged based on their perceived loyalty and sexual behavior. For Carti, maintaining an image of exclusivity and status requires drawing lines between casual encounters and serious relationships.
"Push on yo' block, then we spray 'em"
The term "spray" here refers to drive-by shootings or violent attacks involving automatic weapons. Carti positions himself as someone capable of this level of violence, further cementing his image as a dangerous and fearless figure in his music. The next line, "Somebody send 'em a prayer," adds a dark twist, where even in the midst of violence, there’s a call for prayer, either sarcastically or as an acknowledgment of the consequences.
"I'm a different type player, I'm a created player"
In this line, Carti is asserting his uniqueness and individuality. The reference to a "created player" is taken from sports video games like 2K, where players can customize avatars to suit their desires. Carti suggests he is not just a regular person or artist but one who has been meticulously "crafted" to be different, a standout in the music industry, much like a custom-made character in a video game.
"Drive the coupe to Rodeo, I'm 'bout to give this ho hell"
This line ties into Carti's frequent references to wealth and luxury, with "Rodeo" referring to Rodeo Drive, a high-end shopping district in Beverly Hills. The act of driving there in a coupe symbolizes his success, while the phrase "give this ho hell" implies he's about to disrupt or cause chaos for someone, possibly a romantic partner. This reinforces his rebellious and unpredictable character, always challenging norms.
Playboi Carti All Red Meaning
Playboi Carti’s lyrics on all red encapsulate his larger-than-life persona, blending references to luxury, violence, rebellion, and substance use. He leans heavily on symbolism that portrays a world where material success, chaos, and anti-establishment sentiments coexist. His use of imagery like the upside-down cross, luxury brands, and gang culture enhances his character as someone who defies conventional morality and societal expectations. At the same time, Carti often blurs the line between reality and persona, using lyrics to cultivate his mythos as an artist operating at the fringes of mainstream rap, crafting a world that’s both alluring and dangerous.
Playboi Carti ALL RED Lyrics
[Intro]
(Wake up, F1LTHY)
Hol' up, uh
[Chorus]
Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up, uh, uh
Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up
Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up, uh, uh
Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up, uh
The Bentley is parked outside, my vibe tryna go for a ride
I put VETEMENTS right on her thighs, I put the mask on 'cause I be fried
All red, I stay with the Five5s, all red, we pull up and fire
All red, somebody died, all red, I pour up then drive
[Verse]
We done pushed up with them SIGs
Just like Madden, you can get blitzed
I used to rock Bally's, then I got rich
This is a thot, she can't be my bitch, yeah
This is a thot, she can't be my bitch, yeah
I come to your spot, we spray up that bitch
I come to your spot, we spray up that bitch
I come to your spot and I take that shit, hol' up, uh
I got the drop, we layin' that bitch, huh, hol' up
Get a stolen vehicle, drive that bitch, hol' up
Push on yo' block, then we spray 'em, uh
Push on yo' block, then we spray 'em
Somebody send 'em a prayer
Somebody send 'em some prayers
I got some shit goin' crazy, I need a whole 'nother layer
I'm on a whole 'nother level, I'm a different type player
I'm a different type player, I'm a created player
Shawty know I could score it, shawty know I'm a slayer
Shawty, treat her like mail, fuck a bit' right here
Drive the coupe to Rodeo, I'm 'bout to give this ho hell
[Chorus]
Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up, uh, uh
Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up
Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up, uh, uh
Upside-down cross tat' on my neck, shut 'em up, uh
The Bentley is parked outside, my vibe tryna go for a ride
I put Vetements right on her thighs, I put the mask on 'cause I be fried
All red, I stay with the Five5s, all red, we pull up and fire
All red, somebody died, all red, I pour up then drive