Lil Uzi Vert and
Playboi Carti rose to prominence in the
mid-2010s with their innovative blend of
trap and
cloud rap. Their chemistry was evident in early collaborations, such as "
Wokeuplikethis" and "Lookin" from Carti's
self-titled debut commercial mixtape (2017), which featured Uzi and helped establish the foundation for a joint project. The concept of
16*29 was first hinted at in September 2017, when Carti posted a
Snapchat featuring the punk rock band
The Damned, captioned "Carti Uzi Tape * Uzi Carti Tape * 16.29". According to Carti, recording sessions for
16*29 began as early as 2015, with the duo reportedly creating around 100 songs together. Between 2018 and 2023, multiple tracks believed to be from the
16*29 sessions
leaked online. "Bankroll", produced by DP Beats, leaked in February 2018 before being officially released on
DponTheBeat Vol. 3 later that month. Other tracks, including "Big Bank" and "Break the Bank", showcased the project's bass-heavy, energetic sound. In 2023, following the release of
Pink Tape, an unreleased collaboration with Carti briefly appeared on Uzi's YouTube channel before being replaced with "Patience" featuring
Don Toliver. == Tour and cancellation ==