As Playboi Carti’s highly anticipated album I AM MUSIC inches closer to its self-imposed release deadline, fans are growing increasingly frustrated, and it seems even Carti’s own label is in the dark.
In a recent live stream, DJ Akademiks shed light on the situation, revealing that Carti’s label, Opium, is just as confused as the fans about the album’s rollout.
“Playboi Carti has stumped fans for over five years,” said Akademiks. Carti promised that the album would drop before March 12, 2025, but with just one week remaining, no official updates have been provided.
Akademiks explained that when he reached out to Opium for clarification, the label had nothing substantial to offer. “They confused bruh,” he shared. “They don’t know what the f*ck Carti’s doing man.”
Despite the frustration surrounding the lack of a release, Akademiks acknowledged Carti’s impressive ability to generate anticipation without releasing much music. “Carti has increased his stock by only focusing on anticipation,” he remarked, adding that even without releasing new material, Carti has maintained a strong cultural hold.
However, as the deadline for the album approaches, the stakes are high for Carti’s label. Opium has already accepted money for I AM MUSIC pre-orders, but if the album doesn’t drop by March 12, they will be forced to issue refunds.
With no singles or further updates in sight, it’s unclear what will happen next. Akademiks also pointed out that Carti’s cult-like status means that, even if the album ends up being less than stellar, fans are likely to praise it regardless.
As the release window shrinks, fans and Opium alike are left waiting to see if Carti can live up to the hype or if more delays are in store.
