The Weeknd and Playboi Carti are contemporary North American recording artists known for distinct contributions to modern popular music. The Weeknd, a Canadian singer-songwriter from Toronto who emerged in the early 2010s, is associated with alternative R&B, pop and electronic-influenced production, characterized by atmospheric, often melancholic vocals, moody lyrical themes and polished studio production. Playboi Carti, an American rapper from Atlanta who rose to prominence in the mid-2010s, is linked to trap and cloud rap styles, noted for minimalist, beat-driven instrumentals, ad-lib–focused vocal delivery and a raw, energetic approach to performance and recording. Both have been active in the 2010s–2020s and have influenced contemporary popular music trends.