Released: 2024
“ALL RED” by Playboi Carti is a track that dives deep into themes of rebellion, violence, and a lavish lifestyle. Carti uses vivid imagery and references to convey his defiant attitude and the chaotic environment he navigates.
The hook of the song repeats the line “Upside-down cross, tat’ on my neck, shut ’em up,” which is a bold statement. The upside-down cross is often seen as a symbol of rebellion and anti-establishment. Carti uses it to signify his defiance and to silence his critics.
In the first verse, Carti talks about his luxurious lifestyle. He mentions a Bentley parked outside and putting designer clothes on his girl. The line “I put the mask on ’cause I be fried” suggests he’s high and needs to hide his face.
The recurring theme of “All red” in the chorus signifies danger and violence. Carti mentions staying with the “Five5s,” a reference to firearms, and pulling up to fire, indicating a readiness for conflict. The line “somebody died” adds to the song’s dark and violent tone.
Carti continues with lines like “We done pushed up with them SIGs,” referring to SIG Sauer firearms, and compares his actions to a blitz in Madden, a popular football video game. This paints a picture of aggressive and strategic moves.
He then shifts to talking about his rise from wearing Bally’s, a luxury shoe brand, to getting rich. He dismisses a woman as a “thot,” indicating she can’t be his main girl. This reflects his view on relationships and loyalty.
The next lines are about invading someone’s space and taking over. “I come to your spot, we spray up that bitch” shows a ruthless side, where Carti and his crew are ready to attack and take what they want.
Carti mentions getting a stolen vehicle and driving it to commit crimes. This reinforces the lawless and rebellious lifestyle he’s portraying. “Push on yo’ block, then we spray ’em” continues this theme of violence and dominance.
He then reflects on his mental state, saying “I got some shit goin’ crazy, I need a whole ‘nother layer.” This could mean he’s dealing with intense thoughts or situations that require him to be on a different level mentally.
Carti also describes himself as a “creative player,” a term from video games where players can create their own characters. This suggests he sees himself as unique and different from others in the game.
In the final lines, Carti returns to the hook, reinforcing the themes of rebellion and defiance with the upside-down cross. He also repeats the imagery of his luxurious lifestyle and the violent, chaotic world he inhabits.
“ALL RED” is a raw and unfiltered look into Playboi Carti’s mind and world. The song’s aggressive tone and vivid imagery make it a standout track that captures the essence of his rebellious persona.
