The wait is over. Playboi Carti, born Jordan Terrell Carter, officially dropped his third studio album, I Am Music, on Friday, March 14. The long-anticipated project arrived a few hours later than expected, but the excitement from fans has remained high. Released through AWGE and Interscope Records, the album’s launch follows months of teasing and a five-year gap since his last full-length release, Whole Lotta Red.
The album rollout was aided by Spotify, which promoted I Am Music with billboards in major cities like Los Angeles, New York City, and Miami, featuring slogans such as “STREETS READY,” “SORRY4 DA WAIT,” and “I AM MUSIC MF.” The promotional campaign had fans eagerly awaiting the release, building on Carti’s enigmatic public persona and unpredictable style.
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Before the album’s release, Carti dropped the single "All Red," which made an impact on the charts, reaching No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Additionally, Carti shared a handful of other tracks on his YouTube and Instagram accounts, including "2024," "BACKR00MS" featuring Travis Scott, and "H00DBYAIR." These teasers gave fans a glimpse of the eclectic and experimental sound that Carti is known for.
The rapper also used live performances to preview unreleased music. During his headlining set at Rolling Loud Miami in December, he performed "Lose You" featuring The Weeknd, further stoking excitement for the album. Carti and The Weeknd have previously collaborated, most notably on the platinum-certified track "Popular," which also featured Madonna.
Continuing a tradition, Carti released I Am Music just days before his headlining performance at Rolling Loud California on Sunday, March 16. This mirrors the timing of his 2018 debut album, Die Lit, which dropped just before Rolling Loud Miami that year.
I Am Music arrives five years after Whole Lotta Red, which topped the Billboard 200 and marked Carti’s first No. 1 album. With high-profile features and his boundary-pushing style, I Am Music is set to be another defining moment in Playboi Carti’s career, solidifying his reputation as one of rap’s most innovative figures. With 30 tracks and an overall duration of one hour and seventeen minutes, the album is especially star-studded, with guest appearances by Future, Travis Scott, Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd.
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.