The relationship between Playboi Carti and Ye, formerly Kanye West
, has been one of hip-hop’s most fascinating and turbulent alliances. What began as a creative partnership blossomed into genuine camaraderie, propelling their journey that was marked by mutual admiration and genre-defying collaborations. But soon, as personal tensions and public controversies erupted, their friendship was consequently marred, unraveling in a very public and dramatic fashion. The twist, triumphs, and turmoil behind their friendship that was ultimately unbecoming of itself stand as a landmark in history itself.
How did two of rap’s most influential—and controversial—figures go from celebrated allies to bitter adversaries?
The initial connection: 2017 and the fashion world
Fresh for the New York lot, Playboi Carti’s move to the city marked a major pivot in the rapper’s career path. Soon joining hands with the ASAP mob and signing an agreement with AWGE, Carti found himself rubbing shoulders with some of the most distinguished faces in the industry—in the rap ring and fashion field at that. It was this very year that the ‘Magnolia’ accredited artist crossed paths with Ye, an already-on-the-rise global superstar and fashion icon.
Playboi Carti for Yeezy Season 4 pic.twitter.com/5qbgiqgT1e
— RH (@RihYe_) September 13, 2023
In the succession of events, Ye cast Carti as a model for his Yeezy clothing line, marking their first professional encounter. Carti, then an up-and-coming artist, openly admired Ye, calling him a “fashion inspiration
” in his interview with Vogue in 2017
. This early connection laid the groundwork for a relationship that would soon extend into music.
The collaborations that further erupted from the Carti and Ye’s friendship proved to be a defining force in modern hip hop, if nothing else.
Laying the groundwork for collaboration: 2020
By 2020, the seeds of musical collaboration had been firmly planted. Playboi Carti’s second studio album, ‘Whole Lotta Red’, was one of the most anticipated releases in hip-hop, with Ye playing a crucial role as the album’s executive producer. Their collective work on the track ‘Go2DaMoon’ made up for the most evidence there is of the two artists’ synergies—proof to both of their willingness to push boundaries as far as possible. Around this time, Carti would also start referring to Ye as “the OG
” or “ultimate big bro
“, highlighting the mentorship and mutual respect that defined this phase of their relationship.
Playboi Carti’s “Whole Lotta Red” is now certified Gold selling 500,000 Units in the US! 📀
Congrats Carti 🥳#playboicarti #carti #wholelottared #wlr #opium pic.twitter.com/BO54birrfF
— Carti Charts (@CartiCharts_) December 9, 2021
Ye’s involvement in ‘Whole Lotta Red’ was significant, the opposite of what he is likely to do today
. What made it more important was his ongoing experimentation with a Christian rap persona at the time. Despite some initial fan division over the album’s new aesthetic, ‘Go2DaMoon’ and Ye’s co-sign helped cement the project as a foundational work in the rage subgenre of trap music.
As the world watched in anticipation, Ye’s Donda era unfolded like a high-stakes spectacle—part performance art, part personal catharsis. The toll visible on Ye as well.
Creative peak— Off the Grid and the Donda era of 2021
As it was bound to, or assumed at the time, the partnership between Playboi Carti and Ye reached new heights. ‘Off the Grid’ of Ye’s most vulnerable album as of yet became a standout track in succession to ‘Go2DaMoon’. It became widely celebrated for its raw energy and a genre-blending approach that could be trademarked by Ye any time he desires.
Playboi Carti performing ‘Off The Grid’ Rolling loud Cali 2023 pic.twitter.com/xv2y2ytWHF
— RH (@RihYe_) March 4, 2023
‘Off the Grid’ stands widely praised as a collaboration that neatly bridges the generational and stylistic gaps of the two artists of hip hop. Around this time, rumors swirled about a possible joint album, ‘Carti Ye, but the project never materialized. Still, their creative alliance seemed stronger than ever, with both artists publicly expressing admiration for each other.
The rift: From creative allies to adversaries
The cracks in their friendship began to show in 2023. Legal troubles for Playboi Carti surfaced, including a high-profile arrest in late 2022. Ye, never one to shy away from controversy, later shared police bodycam footage related to Carti’s case, reigniting public scrutiny. The situation escalated in 2024 as Carti’s album ‘Music’ began its anticipatory phase. Despite Ye’s earlier involvement as a co-producer
on the track ‘2024’, he was conspicuously absent as a performer. Ye attributed this omission to Carti’s fear of being associated with his increasingly controversial public persona, which had begun to be marred by antisemitic statements and other scandals.
Ye speaks on Playboi Carti asking Kim Kardashian for a song with North West.
Ye reveals North said if he has a problem with Carti, she also has a problem with Carti. Ye tells rappers to not get things twisted by the Kardashian’s deal with Disney and Hulu, he is her dad. pic.twitter.com/nyPKtI8Ciq
— Yeezyrih (@Yeeezyrih) March 30, 2025
Tensions boiled over in March 2025 after Carti referred to Ye’s daughter, North West, as his “niece
” on social media and suggested a collaboration with her
. Ye responded furiously, accusing Carti of trying to turn his daughter against him and publicly airing grievances about being left off ‘Music’. The feud quickly became personal, with Ye threatening to “end”
Carti’s career and dragging other family members. Carti’s response was brief but pointed: a simple “YE STFU”
on X, signaling the definitive end of what had once been.
Curtain call—A friendship in ruins
As of mid-2025, reconciliation seems unlikely. Both artists remain influential in their own right, but their partnership now serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of mixing personal and professional lives in the relentless spotlight of fame. Whether or not they ever find common ground again, the mark they left on each other’s careers—and on hip-hop as a whole—remains undeniable.
What are your thoughts on this monumental time in the trajectory of hip hop? Let us know in the comments below!