Playboi Carti, born Jordan Terrell Carter, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter who has taken the hip-hop world by storm. Born on September 13, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia, Carti's music career began in 2011, working with fellow Atlanta rapper Lil' Nudy.

One of the defining characteristics of Playboi Carti's music is his use of ad-libs. His famous "what" ad-lib has become a hallmark of his songs, and it's impossible to listen to a Playboi Carti track without hearing it. He's also known for his use of repetition, using the same phrase over and over again to create a hypnotic effect.

Despite only having released two studio albums, Playboi Carti has amassed a large following. His debut self-titled album, released in 2017, quickly became a fan favorite. The album featured hit songs like "Magnolia" and "wokeuplikethis*", which quickly gained popularity on streaming platforms like Soundcloud and Spotify.

Playboi Carti's second album, "Die Lit," was released in 2018 and featured collaborations with popular artists like Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, and Skepta. The album was praised for its production, with Playboi Carti working closely with producer Pi'erre Bourne to create a unique sound.

One of the things that sets Playboi Carti apart from other rappers is his willingness to experiment with different styles and sounds. His music has been influential, even inspiring Kanye West to switch up his style in songs like "Carnival" and "F**k Sumn."

Carti's journey to stardom began in his middle school years, where he started making beats but never released any music. During his high school years, he met rapper UnoTheActivist, with whom he would soon work. Carti never intended to rap at first, instead wanting to become an NBA star. However, he eventually started rapping and worked with producer Ethereal, who helped him develop his sound.

After falling out with Ethereal, Carti joined Awful Records, an Atlanta-based rap collective, where he was promoted heavily by the leader, Father. Carti started to label himself as Ca$h Carti of Awful Records and dropped some of his most recognizable underground songs, including "Broke Boi," "Mercedez," and "By Myself / No Help."

However, Carti's time with Awful Records was short-lived. When Father wanted to officially sign Carti, Ian Conner, who wanted Carti to go mainstream, introduced him to A$AP Rocky and A$AP Mob. This led to Carti leaving Awful Records and eventually signing with Interscope Records.

Today, Playboi Carti is a prominent figure in the hip-hop world, known for his unique style and lyrical prowess. His music has inspired a generation of young rappers, and he continues to push the boundaries of what hip-hop can be.