Ranking Every Playboi Carti Merch Drop (So Far)
Few rappers in the game have mastered the art of fashion and mystique like Playboi Carti. Known for his experimental sound, enigmatic persona, and goth-punk aesthetic, Carti has successfully extended his brand into the world of fashion with exclusive and genre-defining merch drops. Since the early days of Die Lit to the chaotic release of Whole Lotta Red, each merch collection has been a unique fusion of streetwear, punk-rock influence, and underground rebellion.
In this comprehensive guide, we rank every Playboy Carti merch drop so far, from early hype to current cult-favorite capsules. Expect everything from rare graphic tees and hoodies to themed collections that shook the internet. Let’s dive into the fashion evolution of King Vamp himself.
#10 – Magnolia Era Merch (2017)
The Magnolia merch was Carti’s first real dip into the streetwear scene, released alongside his breakout self-titled mixtape.
Why It Matters:
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Simple graphics like Carti’s name in bold red typeface
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Minimalist black and white tees
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Low quantity runs, now highly sought after by OG fans
Verdict: Though the designs weren’t groundbreaking, this drop marked the start of Carti’s fashion journey. Raw and underdeveloped, but historically significant.
Style Score: 6.5/10
Hype Score: 7/10
Availability: Grailed, eBay resellers
Rarity: Moderate
#9 – Self-Titled Tour Merch (2017)
Following the mixtape’s success, Carti launched a limited tour merch collection featuring vampire motifs, photos of himself, and edgy gothic fonts.
Standout Pieces:
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Long sleeve tees with “Carti Season” and blood-splatter graphics
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Vampire fang logos
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Bone-style lettering
Verdict: This collection was a sign of where Carti was headed thematically—edgy, rebellious, and darkly aesthetic. It was a step above Magnolia but still raw compared to later drops.
Style Score: 7/10
Hype Score: 7/10
Availability: Low
Rarity: High
#8 – Die Lit Merch (2018)
When Carti dropped Die Lit, he also released his first fully conceptual merch collection. This drop leaned into his punk influences and started his descent into avant-garde fashion territory.
Design Features:
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Graffiti-style fonts
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Photos from live shows and mosh pits
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Phrases like “Let Us Die Young” and “Slatt”
Verdict: Die Lit wasn’t just an album; it was a mood. The merch captured the chaotic, unfiltered energy of his concerts. It was raw, rebellious, and iconic for early Carti heads.
Style Score: 8/10
Hype Score: 8/10
Availability: Rare
Rarity: Very High
#7 – Jordan x Carti Collaboration (2019)
This was less a full merch drop and more a curated capsule for Carti’s Jordan Brand collaboration. Though not widely released, it showed Carti’s transition into the mainstream fashion orbit.
Why It’s Unique:
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Athletic cut hoodies and tees
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Jordan logo fused with vampire aesthetics
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Released during NBA All-Star Weekend
Verdict: More clean-cut than usual Carti merch, this was high-end and sporty but still kept his signature vibe. It opened the door for future luxury collabs.
Style Score: 8.5/10
Hype Score: 7.5/10
Availability: Very Limited
Rarity: Ultra Rare
#6 – Narcissist Tour Merch (2021)
Originally teased with the infamous “Narcissist” project, this drop coincided with Carti’s tour and was a blend of techwear, goth, and Y2K futurism.
Best Pieces:
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Black leather bomber jackets with “NARCISSIST” across the back
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Layered mesh tops
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Metallic-printed hoodies and vests
Verdict: This wasn’t just merch—it was an aesthetic movement. Heavily influenced by Rick Owens and industrial fashion, the Narcissist drop reflected Carti’s deepening fashion ambition.
Style Score: 9.5/10
Hype Score: 9/10
Availability: Sold exclusively at select tour stops
Rarity: Extremely High
#5 – Whole Lotta Red Initial Drop (2020)
Just days after dropping Whole Lotta Red on Christmas Day, Carti launched a chaotic, devilish merch line—one of the most polarizing and hyped drops of his career.
Design Themes:
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Satanic imagery (upside-down crosses, flames)
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Gothic fonts and horror visuals
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“Stop Breathing” and “King Vamp” slogans
Verdict: The shock factor was high, and the style even higher. This drop cemented Carti’s King Vamp persona and turned every hoodie into a streetwear relic.
Style Score: 9/10
Hype Score: 10/10
Availability: Sold out in hours
Rarity: Legendary
#4 – Whole Lotta Red Second Wave (2021)
A few months after the initial drop, Carti followed up with a second wave of WLR merch, this time featuring more artful and high-quality prints.
Highlights:
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Carti in crucifixion poses
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Religious iconography twisted with goth aesthetics
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“Go2DaMoon” and “M3tamorphosis” references
Verdict: This wave refined the chaotic energy of the first drop into fashion-forward pieces. It was more wearable yet retained the edge Carti is known for.
Style Score: 9.5/10
Hype Score: 9/10
Availability: Briefly available online
Rarity: High
#3 – King Vamp Tour Merch (2021)
A standout collection that fans still chase today. The King Vamp Tour merch was peak Carti—theatrical, gothic, and utterly unhinged.
Top Picks:
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Blood-red hoodies with vampire teeth graphics
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Leather vests with cryptic phrases
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Handwritten-style “Carti” logo on distressed tees
Verdict: This drop was fashion meets horrorcore. Carti blurred the lines between rap merch and runway-ready rebellion. It was creative, bold, and instantly collectible.
Style Score: 10/10
Hype Score: 9.5/10
Availability: Tour-exclusive
Rarity: Ultra Rare
#2 – Vamps NYC Pop-Up Merch (2022)
Carti hosted a surprise Vamps NYC pop-up in Manhattan, dropping an exclusive line that mixed streetwear with high fashion.
Key Features:
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“VAMPIRE” lettering stitched on vintage-washed hoodies
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“VAMPS” embroidery on fitted hats and bombers
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Custom-cut tops and pants with hand-drawn graphics
Verdict: This drop was Carti’s most mature fashion moment. The pieces were made with quality fabrics, thoughtful details, and were clearly inspired by European streetwear. It was less merch and more capsule fashion collection.
Style Score: 10/10
Hype Score: 10/10
Availability: NYC only
Rarity: Almost Mythical
#1 – 2023’s Opium Merch Drop
By far the most refined and fashion-forward merch drop to date. Released via his Opium label, Carti’s 2023 merch embraced his full transformation into a fashion icon.
Design Aesthetic:
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High-quality French terry cotton
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Avant-garde typography and religious-punk imagery
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Muted black, grey, and blood red color schemes
Why It Tops the List:
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Pieces designed more like couture streetwear
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Paired with a full editorial campaign
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Influenced by brands like Raf Simons, Rick Owens, and Ann Demeulemeester
Verdict: This wasn’t just Carti’s best merch drop—it was one of the most impactful artist-driven fashion lines in hip-hop. He proved he’s not just following fashion trends—he’s creating them.
Style Score: 10/10
Hype Score: 10/10
Availability: Sold through exclusive Opium channels
Rarity: Grail status
Final Thoughts: Carti’s Fashion Evolution is a Work of Art
Ranking Playboi Carti’s merch drops aren’t just about fan gear—they’re about chronicling the evolution of a cultural visionary. From the chaotic energy of Die Lit to the dark sophistication of Opium, Carti has curated each drop like a designer crafting seasonal collections.
His merch isn’t an afterthought—it’s a direct reflection of his ever-morphing identity, blending goth, punk, high fashion, and streetwear into a sound and look that’s uniquely his own. Whether you’re a collector, a fan, or a fashion lover, Carti’s drops offer something rare in today’s scene: pure, unfiltered creative expression.