#144: Die Lit
Ranking The “250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far” (2025)
In 2025, Rolling Stone released their list of “250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far.” I am working my way though the list, from #250 to #1, reviewing each. It’s a fascinating opportunity to revisit old favourites, and maybe discover new ones.
Playboi Carti, 2018
#145 on Rolling Stone’s “250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far” is J. Cole’s The Off-Season, which I found mediocre: “But it just seemed middle of the road to me - not monumental, not a significant artist (that I’m aware of), and nothing to show that it’s pushing any boundaries. It’s not bad, per se, just a little uninteresting.” It’s a modern radio hip-hop album with (probably) broad appeal. In contrast, 2018’s Die Lit from Playboi Carti is its antithesis, setting new creative standards for what hip-hop could be in the late 2010s.
Strictly speaking, I don’t think J. Cole and Playboi Carti are close to each other in sound or influence, and they’re only together now because of proximity on this list. Die Lit is such an interesting album with a hypnotic, wildly creative sound that it makes J. Cole sound like Creed to Carti’s Nirvana. The low-key vocals and constant repetition makes it an instant trap classic - relying more on synthesizers and drum machines than samples and Carti’s “mumble rap” style becomes another sonic element rather than singalong layer atop overloaded production. The surprising factor are the guest vocals, from Nicki Minaj to Travis Scott, Chief Keef to Lil Uzi Vert - all matching Carti’s energy and style, elevating the understated production rather than distracting from it. It reminded me of another trap classic, Savage Mode by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin’, #244 on the list.
I surprised myself by enjoying this one so much. It’s not perfect, and, lyrically, still has much to argue against, though the lyrics are only a small part of the presentation comparatively. The overall effect is a sound that stands out among the flood of trap and high-production events from Drake and the like around this time, a unique album with a unique sound, well-deserving of a spot among the 250 greatest albums of the 21st century. So far.