Playboi Carti & The Weeknd, RATHER LIE | Dazzling Duets

In the 26^th edition of Dazzling Duets (2026), Grammy-nominated rapper Playboi Carti and Grammy-winning singer The Weeknd collaborate on “RATHER LIE.”

Sometimes, two is better than one! That is the case when it comes to Dazzling Duets! On Dazzling Duets, we highlight striking songs performed by two artists collaborating. These duets can be from any musical style, making Dazzling Duets a flexible, versatile column. In the 26^th edition of Dazzling Duets (2026), Playboi Carti and The Weeknd collaborate on “RATHER LIE”. Let the dazzle begin!

Noted. Grammy-nominated rapper Playboi Carti (Jordan Terrell Carter) and Grammy-winning R&B superstar The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) collaborated on “RATHER LIE”. The Weeknd sings the excerpted lyrics, FYI. “RATHER LIE” is the eighth track on the rapper’s 2025 platinum-certified album, titled MUSIC. A rousing success, “RATHER LIE” debuted and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.  It was also certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. “RATHER” was written by Playboi Carti, The Weeknd, F1LTHY, Ojivolta (Mark Williams and Raul Cubina), Ramzoid, Twisco, BBYKOBE, and Lawson. F1LTHY, Ojivolta, Ramzoid, and Twisco produced it.

There is a lot to praise “RATHER LIE” for.  It begins with the production.  It’s nothing game-changing but colorful, contemporary, fresh, and ultimately, well-rounded.  The beat provides a firm anchor. The Weeknd performs the first section of the song, the crème de la crème, the chorus. As always, his tenor is buttery smooth and lovely; ripe, ripe, ripe.  The chorus is catchy and melodious.

“I’d rather lie than to lose you, girl

I’d rather lie than confuse you, girl

Truth is, we lapped them; they want us gone

Truth is, they can’t handle me at the top

I’d rather spare you the details, my love

Oh, I’d rather…

I’d rather lie than lose you, I’d rather lie

I’d rather, I’d rather…”

Playboi Carti enters for the first time, rapping the first verse. His approach is melodic, with an agile, compelling cadence and flow. “She wanna fuck, let’s make up / Ex got a problem, tell him say somethin’,” Carti begins the verse with a bang.  There’s ample sex, drip, and confidence. Also, drugs: “I’m off a bean, it’s gettin’ me – uh / She bend right back then we bool / At the top, we could swim in the pool / In the penthouse, I’m lovin’ on you.” Oh, and for good measure, Carti concludes the verse with another bang: “Baby, know that you fuck with a star.” Woo! Following a second iteration of the chorus by The Weeknd, Carti returns for the second and final verse.  Like the first verse, he opens boldly: “I’m back on the track gettin’ off like this / I’m back on the lean, I’mma talk like this / I’m back on that shit, I’ma walk like this / House got a view, we could fuck like this.”  If you still haven’t figured it out, fucking is a big part of this duet.  Supporting this assertion, Playboi adds, “Bagged me a cougar, I’m younger / I’m diggin’ deep like a plunger / I took her panties up off her / Opposites always attract, how you happy, then get mad?” 👀 👀 👀.  Later, he’s fucked up (“lean and molly at the same damn time”) and concludes,  “I know it’s hard to see, but I’d rather lie than lose / I’d rather, I’d rather, I’d rather.” The Weeknd concludes the song with the chorus for a third and final time.  All in all, “RATHER LIE” is an enjoyable collaboration between two big stars. No, it won’t change your life, but it’s sure to elevate your playlist, particularly if you are a melodic rap lover.

---

Playboi Carti » MUSIC  » AWGE / Interscope Records » 2025

Playboi Carti & The Weeknd, RATHER LIE: Dazzling Duets No. 26 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; AWGE / Interscope Records; ANTONI SHKRABA production from Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]