Fans have been picking up hints surrounding Playboi Carti’s third studio album Whole Lotta Red since it was first announced back in 2018. While the “Magnolia” rapper has yet to offer up an official release date for the long-awaited project, a mysterious new Instagram post suggests it may finally be on its way.
On Tuesday (April 14), Carti posted album cover art — albeit, for an untitled project — to his Twitter and Instagram. The image shows the rapper sitting alone in a dimly lit space with a dark blue background. Although Carti has neither confirmed nor denied that the cover art is for Whole Lotta Red, the post suggests that new music is coming.
Furthermore, Lil Uzi Vert heightened suspense when he tweeted and then quickly deleted a simple message of “Playboi Carti :)” on Sunday night (April 12). Ken Carson from Carti’s Opium record label also posted “Thursday” in a since-deleted Instagram story, suggesting that whatever Carti is planning to release will arrive tomorrow (April 16).
Back in October, Carti teased Whole Lotta Red with back-to-back Instagram posts, which promised he was “locked in” and that the album would arrive in 48 hours. Many of Carti’s missed release dates have been caused by leaked album tracks and his own perfectionism.
“I could be done [with Whole Lotta Red] if I wanted to. I’m just trying to top shit. I might make the hardest song ever tomorrow,” he revealed in an interview with The Fader last summer.
While nothing about the album has been confirmed, Carti did state at a concert last July that Whole Lotta Red is feature-less.
“I ain’t gon’ lie. It feels like we worked too hard for this moment,” he shared with a Milwaukee crowd. “So, I’ma do this shit with no features.”
Also, Whole Lotta Red is expected to include production from Pi’erre Bourne, Maaly Raw, Richie Souf, Roark and DJ Don Cannon.
Carti’s last full-length album was 2018’s Die Lit. See some Twitter reactions to his newly debuted cover art below.