Song Introduction
"deaf note" is a highly anticipated collaborative track by Ken Carson and Playboi Carti, two of the most influential voices in the modern experimental hip-hop landscape. The song was partially previewed during Playboi Carti's Rolling Loud Orlando set on May 9, 2026, and later performed again during Ken Carson's headlining set on May 10, 2026, where it was officially debuted as a live performance. The track represents a natural convergence of the two Opium label artists' distinctive styles - Carson's aggressive, high-energy delivery meets Carti's ethereal, melodic trap aesthetic. With its hypnotic refrains and raw, unfiltered lyricism, "deaf note" captures the essence of the Opium sound that has dominated the underground rap scene in recent years. The song is expected to be part of Carson's upcoming project "the xperiment," which marks his latest artistic evolution following the success of "More Chaos" and "A Great Chaos."
Lyrics
[Refrain: Ken Carson]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
[Verse 1: Ken Carson]
Bitch, this the xperiment
Cover my ears when you talk, I ain't hearin' it
And I cover up my ears when you talk, I ain't hearin' it
And I cover up my ears when you talk, girl, I ain't hearin' it
As long as I got that yop stick, I ain't fearin' shit
As long as I got my chopstick, I'm gon' use 'em like a Asian
Black bitch say she mixed, what? Yeah, she Blasian
Kick in your door, woah, woah, we brought them K's in
Shawty on go, pass to bro, yeah, I'm not
You not celibate, put that on everything you got
You not celibate, put that on everything you got
Bitch, you not celibate, put that on everything you got
[Refrain: Ken Carson]
Yeah, yeah, yeah (Yeah)
Yeah (Yeah), yeah (Yeah), yeah (Yeah)
Yeah (Yeah), yeah (Yeah), yeah
[Verse 2: Ken Carson]
5 take a trap, fourth of Sprite, then remix it (What the fuck?)
Pourin' up the drank every day, you not consistent (What the fuck?)
I pour up that drank every day, niggas not consistent (What? What the fuck?)
I pour up that drank every day (What the fuck? Yeah, yeah)
Throw it in the air, hundreds (Yeah), I'ma make her dance for money (Yeah)
She suck the dick, got her crashin' out
They don't know what she doin', she just pass it out (Yeah)
You can't leave red-handed, I still run over them hoes you be askin' 'bout (Yeah)
Too much shit in my crib, can't fit it in a safe, where the fuck I'ma stash the guap? (Yeah)
Too much shit in my crib, he still stashin' out the shoebox (Yeah)
Everywhere I go, it's all eyes on me, like I'm Tupac (Yeah)
I'm xperiment, but your ho gon' flock when cartunez drop (Yeah)
Can't beef on the internet, these niggas cartoon opps (Yeah)
Told the bitch, "I ain't into that," you can leave that to your other nigga (Yeah)
I ain't stressin' 'bout the pussy, I want figures (Yeah)
Front page magazine, you can get your issue (Yeah)
I'll send you my location before I hit ya
[Refrain: Ken Carson]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (What the fuck?)
Yeah, yeah (What the fuck?)
Yeah, yeah
[Verse 3: Playboi Carti]
Uh, four in the drank, I'ma pass out
Ride with the dually, my cash— uh
Ridin' in the dually, my cash out
Uh, hit that— uh, hit that jackpot
Come in your spot like, yeah, huh
My young nigga with me, he mad hot
Something 'bout me, pop out mad bosses
Still goin' crazy, I ain't worried about it
Still goin' crazy, we ain't worried about it, still goin' crazy, we ain't worried
Still goin' crazy, we ain't worried, still goin' crazy, we ain't worried
Still goin' crazy, still goin' crazy, still goin' crazy, we ain't worried
Bitch, I'm fly like a bird (Yeah), I just gave him a 9 (Why?)
All of my bitches, they with me, uh, I'm 'bout to have a ménage (Fire)
Put 'em on the news
Put a lot of hoes on news real quick, I'm talkin' 'bout, "Ooh" (Yeah, yeah)
All these hoes, they pussy, they don't know what to do
YVL my set, yeah, trim set, you know this shit forever
My diamonds, yeah, Eliantte, baguette, baguette (Yeah)
I roll with 5's, yeah, more B's on my neck (Woah)
Serena, Venus, play with them racks, I'm on your neck
I can't get played, poppin' my shit with no regrets
Major league, Celine my jeans, I'm a vet'
I was born to bleed, y'all niggas pussy, ah, yeah
What you see in me? Bitch, I'm a hustler, I don't care (Wow)
Pussy, money, weed, we havin' tons of it over here
It's omertà, G, they gon' have to kill me, put me in the chair
[Refrain: Ken Carson]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (What the fuck?)
Yeah, yeah (What the fuck?)
Yeah, yeah
Lyrics Meaning
The song's title "deaf note" is a clever wordplay that encapsulates the track's central theme - willful ignorance and selective hearing. Carson repeatedly emphasizes covering his ears and refusing to listen, creating a metaphor for tuning out negativity, fake relationships, and distractions that don't serve his purpose. The "deaf note" becomes a sonic shield, allowing him to focus solely on his own trajectory and success.
In the first verse, Carson establishes the "xperiment" concept - framing his entire artistic approach as an experimental project that defies conventional norms. The chopstick wordplay is characteristic of his irreverent humor, blending street terminology with cultural references in a way that shocks and entertains. The Blasian reference continues this pattern of provocative wordplay, while the "K's in" line grounds the verse in the harsh realities of street life.
The second verse shifts focus to Carson's material success and work ethic. The "not consistent" lines serve as both a boast about his own dedication and a dismissal of less committed peers. The Tupac reference ("all eyes on me") positions Carson within hip-hop's lineage of controversial, magnetic figures, while the "cartunez drop" line cleverly references both his own project and Carti's influence. The verse closes with a declaration of priorities - figures over fleeting pleasures, establishing Carson's business-minded approach to his career.
Carti's verse brings a different energy entirely. His stream-of-consciousness delivery creates a hypnotic, almost trance-like effect as he cycles through themes of excess ("four in the drank"), wealth ("dually," "jackpot"), and loyalty ("YVL my set"). The Serena and Venus Williams reference, paired with "play with them racks, I'm on your neck," transforms tennis terminology into street slang with characteristic Carti flair. The closing "omertà" reference - the Mafia code of silence - reframes his loyalty as a matter of life and death, ending the verse on a note of deadly seriousness beneath the playful surface.
Conclusion
"deaf note" represents a significant moment in the ongoing evolution of the Opium sound, bringing together two of its most prominent voices in a track that balances accessibility with artistic ambition. The song's live debut at Rolling Loud Orlando 2026 marked a milestone for both artists - Carson headlining the festival after stepping in as a replacement for NBA YoungBoy, and Carti continuing his dominance of the festival circuit following the massive success of his "MUSIC" album. The track's hypnotic refrains and raw lyricism capture the essence of what has made the Opium movement so culturally resonant: an unapologetic embrace of darkness, excess, and artistic experimentation. As Carson prepares to release "the xperiment," "deaf note" stands as a compelling preview of what promises to be his most ambitious project yet, while simultaneously cementing the creative synergy between two artists who have redefined the boundaries of modern trap music. Whether experienced in the chaotic energy of a festival setting or through headphones in isolation, the song demands attention - even as its title suggests the freedom of choosing not to listen.
