The Early Life Story of a Billboards Rapper: Playboi Carti

Jordan Terrell Carter (born September 13, 1996), known professionally as Playboi Carti, is an American rapper. Jordan was initially signed to local underground label Awful Records. After gaining a appreciative following by supporters early in his career, Jordan amassed mainstream attention in 2017.

Jordan’s first mixtape was released in April of 2017, including the Billboard Hot 100 charting singles "Magnolia" and "Woke Up Like This" (featuring Lil Uzi Vert). His first studio album Die Lit released in 2018, peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard 200. Following a two-year gap with little to no new music released, Jordan’s highly anticipated second album, Whole Lotta Red, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and became his first chart-topping release.

Early Life:

Jordan Terrell Carter was born in Riverdale, Georgia, and grew up in Fairburn, Georgia. In which a 2016 interview with Complex he stated, "My ma couldn't tell me sh*t. Nobody could tell me sh*t." Showing this type of lifestyle influenced Jordan to get into trouble as a youth and sway away from the idea of pursuing a higher level of education after high school. He attended North Springs Charter High School. Before rap, Carter wanted to become a future NBA star and try to make something of himself. In an interview with The Fader he said, "I was a young AI and didn't go to practice. That was the time I was really ducking school and it was all hoop and no rap. I would smoke before practice, get on the court and drop 30." He stopped playing basketball after a disagreement with his coach, in which he then dedicated his time to music. Jordan skipped high school classes regularly to work on his music or go to his job at H&M, which led to Playboi Carti barely graduating high school. In an interview with The Fader he also said, "I was in class with freshmen finishing work, and if I finished the nine assignments before this time I could graduate." Carter was so close to not graduating that no one showed up to his graduation, because they didn't know it was actually going to happen. Carti hated the idea of being an upcoming rapper while working at H&M, so he made the decision to quit. Carti started shopping in thrift stores in his youth, something that has had an effect on his fashion and music style to this day.

Career Beginnings:

Carti began rapping at an early age under the name ‘Sir Cartier’ in 2011 and soon after changed it to as we now know, Playboi Carti in 2013. He began uploading songs on SoundCloud in 2011. In 2014, after meeting producer Ethereal, he joined Awful Records. Once Carti chose to pursue music full-time, he made the decision to move to New York City with some family. While in New York City, Carti stayed at his drug dealer's house, and members of ASAP Mob frequented the house. Eventually Carti ran into ASAP Bari, who eventually introduced him to A$AP Rocky. Carti decided to go Texas with A$AP Rocky. In which he began to attract more attention in 2015 with his singles "Broke Boi" and "Fetti" featuring Da$h and Maxo Kream, both of which were published to SoundCloud. Around this time, Carti frequently collaborated with artists in Atlanta's underground rap scene, including his cousin UnoTheActivist, Thouxanbanfauni, Yung Bans, Lil Yachty, Ethereal, and producers MexikoDro, and ICYTWAT. He began to tour with ASAP Ferg and Lil Uzi Vert, and later signed a deal with Interscope Records.

Music Style:

Jordan’s music style has been described as a “mumble rapper”,and his music as “playful, hard-hitting, and very melodic.” Complex called his style of rapping “spare and repetitive, more concerned with flow and catchy phrases.” Briana Younger at Pitchfork said that "Carti’s music is less about lyricism and more about atmosphere", going on to say that "whatever Carti lacks in substance he makes up in sheer audacity."

In which Jordan is known for his "baby voice" technique, characterized by his voice hitting high pitches with unclear pronunciations and frantic cadences. He has used this technique on popular songs such as "Almeda" with Solange, "Earfquake" with Tyler, the Creator, and "Pissy Pamper" with Young Nudy and Pi'erre Bourne.