You remember where you were when the 1629* tour got announced? It was 2017. The hype was physically painful. We all thought we were getting the rap equivalent of a buddy cop movie, but with more Rick Owens and higher-pitched ad-libs. Then, nothing. It just vanished. One minute Lil Uzi Vert and Playboi Carti were the undisputed kings of the new wave, and the next, they were tweeting cryptic "no" responses about their friendship.
Honestly, the "beef" between Lil Uzi Vert and Playboi Carti is one of the most misunderstood sagas in modern music. People love drama. They want to believe there was some massive falling out over a girl or a beat. But if you look at the actual timeline, the truth is way more about two kids growing up in the spotlight and trying to find their own lanes.
The Birth of the 16*29 Legend
The name itself is a tribute to where they started. Uzi reps the 1600 block in North Philly. Carti comes from the 2900 section of Atlanta. When they first linked up on tracks like "Left Right" in 2015, the chemistry was undeniable. It wasn't just that they sounded good together; they shared an energy. It was punk rock in a rap shell.
By the time "wokeuplikethis*" and "Lookin" dropped in 2017, the world was ready for a full-length project. Carti even posted a photo of the punk group The Damned with the caption "Carti Uzi Tape * Uzi Carti Tape * 16.29." That was the spark.
Then came the tour announcement. Fans bought tickets. Merch was probably being printed. And then Uzi pulled the plug. "Not going on tour wit carti need 2 focus," Uzi tweeted. It felt like a punch to the gut for the fans.
Why the album never dropped
There are probably 100 songs in a vault somewhere. That isn't a guess—Carti literally told Real 92.3 in 2018 that they had about 100 unreleased tracks. So why haven't we heard them?
- Label Politics: Dealing with one major label is a headache. Dealing with two different labels trying to split the pie on a joint project is a nightmare.
- Creative Evolution: In 2017, they were on the same wave. By 2020, Carti was deep into the "Vamp" aesthetic and the high-pitched "baby voice" on Whole Lotta Red. Uzi was leaning into the space-themed Eternal Atake.
- The "Just Meh" Incident: When Carti dropped "@ MEH" in 2020, Uzi tweeted "Just Meh." Everyone thought it was war. Uzi later clarified they were just "brothers" who fight.
Basically, they grew apart artistically. You've seen it happen with your own friends. You start off doing everything together, and then one day you realize you're interested in different things. For Uzi and Carti, those "different things" just happened to be multi-million dollar music eras.
Are Lil Uzi Vert and Playboi Carti still friends?
The short answer? Yes. The long answer is that it's complicated.
They don't hang out every day. They aren't posting selfies on the 'gram constantly. But every time one of them is asked about the other in a serious interview, it's nothing but love. In a 2022 interview with XXL, Carti said, "I love Uzi to death." He even hinted that 1629* could still happen one day.
They still show up for each other when it counts. Uzi was famously spotted playing PlayStation with Carti on the day Carti's son, Onyx, was born—a detail that has become legendary in the "deadbeat dad" memes, but also proves how close they were at the time.
More recently, in early 2025, during the rollout for Carti's MUSIC (or I AM MUSIC), rumors swirled about Uzi's involvement. There have been mentions of tracks like "Twin Trim" and "Jumpin" that reportedly feature the duo. It seems they’ve moved past the "competition" phase and back into a space where they can appreciate what they built.
The Leaks: A Blessing and a Curse
If you're a die-hard fan, you've probably heard more of 1629* than the labels ever intended. Tracks like "SRT," "Cartier," and "Big Bank" have leaked over the years. These leaks are a huge reason why the album might never officially come out. When half the project is already on SoundCloud or YouTube, the "event" feel of a release is gone.
It’s frustrating. You want to support the artists, but the music is right there. These leaks also cause tension. Labels get mad, artists get discouraged, and the project gets pushed further back into the "maybe one day" pile.
What's next for the duo?
Don't hold your breath for a surprise drop tomorrow. Uzi has been talking about retirement off and on for years, most recently focusing on Luv Is Rage 3. Carti is... well, Carti. He operates on his own timeline, which usually involves months of silence followed by a chaotic burst of activity.
The best way to enjoy their partnership right now is to appreciate the tracks we actually have. "Shoota" is still a masterpiece. "Of Course We Ghetto Flowers" still hits in the club.
If you want to stay on top of what’s actually happening, follow these steps:
- Ignore the "Fan-Made" Tracklists: You'll see "16*29 Full Album" videos on YouTube. These are almost always just collections of old leaks and remixes.
- Watch the Opium Signings: Carti’s label, Opium, is where his focus is. If Uzi ever does a song with Ken Carson or Destroy Lonely, that’s a huge signal that the Uzi/Carti bridge is fully repaired.
- Check Festival Lineups: They often play the same festivals (like Rolling Loud). If they appear on stage together for a guest spot, that’s the most likely place you’ll hear new music first.
The legacy of Lil Uzi Vert and Playboi Carti isn't just about one unreleased album. It's about how they changed the sound of a whole generation. Even if 1629* stays in the vault forever, the impact they had together is already permanent.