Intense and Aggressive Production
"OPM Babi," the 23rd track on Playboi Carti's album MUSIC, stands out as one of his most experimental offerings. From the outset, the track sets a dark and frenetic tone with cascading synths, immediately diving into clipping bass and an aggressive industrial sound. The production, handled by DJ Swamp Izzo, builds a menacing and high-energy atmosphere that pairs with Carti's erratic delivery. However, while the track's hard-hitting beats make for an intense listen, the jarring soundscape becomes overwhelming as it progresses. The chaotic nature of the beat almost overshadows Carti’s performance, making it a track that feels heavy-handed at times.
Carti’s Vocal Performance
Carti's vocal performance on "OPM Babi" is an extension of his signature style—abrasive, experimental, and drenched in charisma. While his high-pitched ad-libs and off-kilter flows add to the song's intensity, they struggle to find harmony with the beat. The track’s relentless energy often feels like it needs a bit more balance to allow Carti’s voice to shine through. It's easy to imagine that isolating Carti’s vocals and layering them over a more mellow or smoother beat could make for a more accessible listen, offering his vocals more room to breathe. That said, the vocals still add an undeniable sense of urgency and emotion to the track, even if they feel out of place at times.
Themes of Substance and Excess
Lyrically, "OPM Babi" explores some familiar themes for Carti—substance abuse, sexual encounters, and his own hedonistic lifestyle. He draws comparisons to Young Thug, an artist he's often mentioned as an influence, with references to drugs like Xanax and ketamine. The raw and unfiltered content may not appeal to all listeners, but it’s very much in line with Carti's style of provocative and unpredictable lyricism. The song's unapologetic nature fits into the broader narrative of the MUSIC album, which aims to push the boundaries of trap music and embrace a more avant-garde sound.
DJ Swamp Izzo’s Impact
One of the track’s defining features is the inclusion of DJ Swamp Izzo's interjections throughout the song. His sporadic hype-man moments add to the chaotic vibe of the track, but they can also break up the flow of the verses, contributing to the overall sense of disarray. At times, these moments feel more like interruptions rather than additions to the song’s momentum. This unpredictability is undoubtedly a staple of Carti's music, but here it verges on being a little too disruptive.
A Bold but Divisive Track
"OPM Babi" is an ambitious track that encapsulates the experimental ethos of Playboi Carti’s MUSIC album. While it delivers a powerful, industrial sound and Carti’s vocals brim with energy, the track’s abrasive production may be a bit much for some listeners. The combination of erratic beats, chaotic vocals, and intense subject matter makes "OPM Babi" both a bold statement and a challenging listen. It's a song that is likely to divide Carti's fanbase, with some appreciating its raw intensity while others might find it too jarring for repeated plays.
Listen to Playboi Carti OPM Babi
Playboi Carti OPM Babi Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of "OPM Babi" by Playboi Carti is a deep dive into the rapper's experimental and indulgent lifestyle, blending themes of substance abuse, street culture, and personal swagger. Carti explores his affinity for material wealth, luxury cars, and his connections to the streets, all while making bold references to his affiliations with the Piru Bloods. The song’s aggressive industrial production and Carti’s unrestrained vocal delivery mirror the chaotic, thrill-seeking lifestyle he’s become known for. At its core, "OPM Babi" is a reflection of Carti’s persona—one that embraces excess, both in terms of material wealth and substance use, while navigating the pressures of fame and the inevitable imitation that comes with his influence.
"I'm Red, Pockets Blue"
Playboi Carti starts with the line, "I'm red, pockets blue," which refers to his previous associations with the Bloods and their affiliates, the Piru gang. The contrast here lies in his affiliation with the Bloods, a gang symbolized by the color red, while his pockets are “blue” from being filled with hundred-dollar bills. This sets up a theme of Carti's connection to street life while simultaneously living a life of luxury. The next line, "Streets ready for this shit right here," is spoken by Swamp Izzo, Carti’s DJ, who expresses the excitement and anticipation surrounding Carti's upcoming album MUSIC. Fans were also eager, as reflected in Playboi Carti and Spotify billboards spotted promoting the album.
"Escalade With Thugs, All My Bitches Thugs"
Carti continues with, "Escalade with thugs, all my bitches thugs." He is likely referencing the Cadillac Escalade, a luxury SUV favored by rappers. Additionally, the word “escalade” means to scale a wall, which could symbolically represent Carti’s ascent to success. The phrase “all my bitches thugs” suggests the toughness and loyalty of the women in his life. Then, in the line "I'm cool on you, I'm bool," Carti shows his affiliation with the Bloods by replacing the "C" in "cool" with a "B," a common practice for members of the gang due to their rivalry with the Crips. This is a reflection of the street culture he remains connected to despite his fame.
"She Wanna Eat My Lingo, Hold On, What the Fuck?”
The song also features a producer tag from Acrylo, highlighted when Swamp Izzo is mentioned. As Carti raps, "She wanna eat my lingo, hold on, what the fuck," he comments on the way people imitate his unique style, dialect, and musical cadence. This line ties into the broader theme of people attempting to adopt Carti’s distinct persona, supported by the ending phone call in which someone speaks about copycats.
"Tryna Take Care of Me, No, It's in My Blood"
In the line, "Tryna take care of me, no (Turn up), it's in my blood, uh," Carti hints at his use of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic. He references the drug again when he mentions it by name in the track "K POP," previously released as "K3TAMI." Carti's relationship with ketamine here seems casual and integral to his current lifestyle. Further, in "Uh, I just pulled up, yeah, in that brand-new truck," Carti once again references luxury vehicles, this time suggesting the world of fame and danger he finds himself immersed in as a famous rapper.
"I'm 5, Them Pistols Pop Your Pimple"
When Carti says, "I'm 5," he is referring to the five-point star, a symbol associated with the Piru Bloods, signaling his affiliation with the gang. The next line, "Them pistols pop your pimple, have you suited up (Schyeah, schyeah)," uses vivid imagery to depict the violent side of gang life. "Popping a pimple" is a metaphor for shooting someone in the head, and “suited up” likely means being armed with firearms.
"Slatt, I'm With Swamp Izzo, Turn My Music Up"
The line, "Slatt, I'm with Swamp Izzo, turn my music up," serves to connect Carti’s legacy with that of Swamp Izzo, a DJ who has worked with notable figures like Young Thug and hosted iconic mixtapes. However, the line, "Streets ready for this shit right here," sarcastically acknowledges that the streets may not actually be ready for what Carti is about to bring.
"That's Ketamine, Huh? That's Not Enough"
Later, Carti says, "That's ketamine, huh? (Huh), that's not enough (Schyeah)," implying that the esketamine, a derivative of ketamine, isn’t giving him a strong enough high. This could suggest a level of overindulgence or tolerance to the drug. The outro of the song samples a TikTok by comedian and US Army veteran PuckWood, where Carti calls out "copycats," reinforcing the idea that his style has been imitated by others. The outro concludes with Carti questioning why someone’s phone is up in the air, suggesting a sense of frustration with those attempting to mimic his authenticity.
Playboi Carti OPM Babi Lyrics
[Intro: Playboi Carti]
(Opium)
Schyeah, schyeah
[Verse 1]
Harder as ever, my, uh, my dick on uh, uh, what? (Swamp Izzo, Swamp Izzo)
I'm harder as ever, I can make that pussy cum, uh, uh
I'm 'bout to fuck her soul, her pussy numb (Schyeah, schyeah)
That's ketamine, huh? (Huh), that's not enough (Schyeah)
Tryna take care of me, no (Turn up), it's in my blood, uh
I'm like Thug, I'm like, "What the fuck?"
Uh, I just pulled up, yeah, in that brand-new truck (Schyeah, pow)
Escalade with thugs, all my bitches thugs
Them pistols pop your pimple, have you suited up (Schyeah, schyeah)
I hit the Xan' and killed 'em, nigga (Uh)
Hit that dash, spin 'em, hold on, what the fuck? (Schyeah, schyeah)
Sex everywhere, she gon' fuck the cuz (Schyeah, schyeah)
[Interlude: DJ Swamp Izzo]
Streets ready for this shit right here
Swamp Izzo
[Verse 2: Playboi Carti & DJ Swamp Izzo]
I'm gon' suck her titties, she gon' beam me up (Swamp Izz— Swamp Izz—)
I don't give no fuck
Uh, slatt, I'm with Swamp Izzo, turn my music up (Swamp Izzo)
Pass that ho to Beno, I'm not tryna fuck (Huh, huh, huh)
She wanna eat my lingo, hold on, what the fuck? Uh (Huh, huh, schyeah)
[Interlude: DJ Swamp Izzo]
Streets ready for this shit right here
[Verse 3: Playboi Carti]
Smooth on a ho, I'm smooth
I'm cool on you, I'm bool
I'm 5, ooh-ooh
I'm red, pockets blue
Uh, uh, what you wanna do, baby?
Uh, uh, what you wanna do, baby?
Uh, uh, uh, I got war scars
I got bad guys around me for anything
Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, for anything
Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, for anything
[Outro]
You lil' fuckin' copycat, bruh
Stop stealing my motherfuckin' shit, dog
Why the fuck your phone up in the air like that?
Doin' some crazy shit, talking 'bout...
You look stupid as a motherfu—
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