After MUSIC seemingly disappeared from his to-do list, Playboi Carti returns with his latest single “KETAMINE” (March 12) as a surprise.
“KETAMINE” is the sixth single the Opium boss has shared over the past few months, stemming from “DIFFERENT DAY” in December 2023. A stark, dual-screen visual consisting of a hanging machete, which Carti reportedly injured himself with on set, and a shirtless guitarist shredding pack the barely two-minute long track.
Deep voice inflections and whirring synths fill Carti’s dark and distorted space, sounding like a one-off of the previously released “H00DBYAIR.” These tracks would’ve been perfect for Opium’s now-canceled Antagonist Tour with Destroy Lonely, Ken Carson and Homixide Gang.
Another social exclusive, the new track appears to be an action to rumors of Carti not wanting to drop the highly-anticipated follow-up to Whole Lotta Red due to frictions with Interscope Records, according to Kanye West via YeFanatics.
Carti, Ye, Ty Dolla Sign and Rich The Kid achieved a No. 1 berth on the Billboard Hot 100 this week with “CARNIVAL,” as “KETAMINE” could also be a celebration of this accomplishment with the album’s rollout back in play. A potential feature on Metro Boomin and Future’s collab project We Don’t Trust You is also cause for excitement regarding MUSIC’s revitalized rollout.
“2024,” Opium’s F1LTHY posted upon the track’s arrival this week, eyeing MUSIC’s release for sometime this year (most likely this summer). Rumors of Carti headlining Summer Smash in Chicago in late June fuels a mid-summer release. However, this is all speculative.
Whenever Carti plans to drop, it seems MUSIC’s release is back on schedule — for now.
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