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Whole Lotta Red
by
Whole Lotta Red Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 241 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length studio release for the Atlanta rapper features guest appearances from Future, Kid Cudi and Kanye West.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Pitchfork
    Jan 5, 2021
    83
    The songs on Whole Lotta Red are urgent, immediate. While they seldom trade in anything like autobiography, they cut close to the bone all the same.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Jan 4, 2021
    80
    Playboi Carti—Gen Z’s answer to Nosferatu—performs emotions, toggles between them, and disguises them with a disquieting ease. He has never been more enigmatic.
  3. AllMusic
    Jan 19, 2021
    80
    While losing some of the pop appeal of his previous work, Whole Lotta Red represents Playboi Carti coming into a new phase of his artistry, however jagged and disorienting the process may be.
  4. PopMatters
    Jan 11, 2021
    70
    Whole Lotta Red is a demonstration of Carti's commitment to dynamic growth and experimentation. However, it's painfully apparent that Carti needs more features (his divine harmony with Pi'erre Bourne shines on their single collaboration "ILoveUIHateU").
  5. The Wire
    Apr 6, 2021
    70
    Carti’s voice here sounds rough and occasionally hoarse. His famed knack for repeating phrases ad infinitum seems to lead into cul-de-sacs, and the rumbling PC beats don’t float as easily as his earlier work. But there’s plenty to appreciate on Whole Lotta Red. [Feb 2021, p.61]
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  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jan 6, 2021
    60
    Initially, you might be disappointed to have waited two years for what at first sounds like an underworked collection of throwaways. In places, though, the record rewards repeat listens. ... But there’s no getting away from the fact that at 24 tracks long, there’s not a lot of variety on ‘Whole Lotta Red’, and the biggest take away here is perhaps that perennial rap fan favourite: less is most definitely more.
  7. Beats Per Minute
    Jan 4, 2021
    27
    Whole Lotta Red has a vibe the same way a TGI Fridays has an atmosphere; it just rides a wave of different shades of lifeless trap, an endless TikTok dance in purgatory. ... The problem is Whole Lotta Red hardly ever gives Carti a chance to be real. He puts on vapid personas like ‘rock star’ and ‘vampire’ like he’s at Halloween Express. Tracks are Seinfeldian in their nothingness.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 88
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 88
  3. Negative: 16 out of 88
  1. LukeThaDuke
    Nov 27, 2021
    10
    Genuinely amazing album meshing together Hip Hop and alternative elements while keeping an original high energy feel up until tracks like OverGenuinely amazing album meshing together Hip Hop and alternative elements while keeping an original high energy feel up until tracks like Over and Feel Like Dyin come on where Carti gives a more reserved theme about certain emotions. Production does not disappoint at any time F1thy, Ye, Ojivolta and Pierre matched Cartis energy on all these tracks with some of the best most unique Trap beats i’ve ever heard. This album was made to preform so i also recommend seeing a video of the King Vamp Tour.… Expand
  2. 4rr4nW3th3rh111
    Aug 19, 2023
    10
    Every single song on this album is absolutely genre defining. From the immediate aggressiveness of "Stop Breathing" and "On That Time" to theEvery single song on this album is absolutely genre defining. From the immediate aggressiveness of "Stop Breathing" and "On That Time" to the bouncy wobbly beat of "Slay3r" and "Place", Cartis artistic vision is just perfect. Best song on the album "Meh".… Expand
  4. EazyG
    Jan 5, 2021
    10
    Ignore the hate this album deserves, but also keep in mind it’s not perfect. What Carti does here is the same thing that Uzi does with EternalIgnore the hate this album deserves, but also keep in mind it’s not perfect. What Carti does here is the same thing that Uzi does with Eternal Atake (but not as good as that album obviously). He projects this album to have a different theme and sound from all the other previous projects that he’s released. Dracula/Nosferatu theme and style with the beats of Vamp Anthem and Go2DaMoon make this record unique in many ways, however, there are definitely some songs that won’t digest well for others. Still, I give this a must listen because not only are people trashing on it for not being what they want, but there are also some really good hidden gems on this album that people have gotta listen to again to really feel the vibe!!… Expand
  5. Scot72704
    Jan 17, 2021
    9
    this album is amazing, the first part is wildly experimental and full of bangers and the second half is full of die lit style carti vibes. Ithis album is amazing, the first part is wildly experimental and full of bangers and the second half is full of die lit style carti vibes. I personally wanted more of the experimental tracks but this was great anyways. I recommend everyone who didn’t like this to listen again because it really grows on you every time you listen. My favorite track is definitely the 3rd because of the energy, the wild adlibs and flows he delivers.… Expand
  6. ssgthrax
    May 25, 2021
    8
    the energy in this album is amazing and authentic. the replayability is the best in carti album. if you're a teenager, or in your early 20's,the energy in this album is amazing and authentic. the replayability is the best in carti album. if you're a teenager, or in your early 20's, this album will help you be more comfortable with being yourself. this is the best punk trap record out there.… Expand
  7. brazyj
    Dec 3, 2021
    6
    its just so good from release day to noe i cant believe that its almost been a year since this dropped
  8. Upgrayeddd
    Nov 13, 2021
    0
    This album contains a performance with some notes and rhythms and lyrics. If you haven't heard music before you might even be deceived intoThis album contains a performance with some notes and rhythms and lyrics. If you haven't heard music before you might even be deceived into thinking something about this album is good. But make no mistake. This is trash. The same twenty seconds may as well be on repeat for its duration. Everything about it is low effort, low skill, low intellect waste of the Listener's time.… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Most Discussed Album of 2020

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