When it comes to family businesses, the Migos are thriving — not to mention the sheer number of youthful innovators and traditional rappers emerging out of the Atlanta area.
This band of relatives consists of uncle Quavious Marshall (Quavo), nephew Kiari Cephrus (Takeoff) and cousin Kirshnik Ball (Offset) who completes the deadly trio.
Their ascension in the rap game was quick, yet a bit predictable after Canadian rapper Drake put out a remix of their song, “Versace.” A few years later, the group has finally released their sophomore album, Culture.
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Migos has been releasing songs since 2013, but much of their music was heavily criticized and ill-received. Their latest album shows a newer, swift rhythm that incorporates their signature, triplet-heavy flow.
“Bad and Boujee” seemingly came up out of nowhere after its release and almost instant success in October. With the help of a viral meme that is oddly appropriate given the nature of the song, Migos’ hit song has become nearly inescapable.
After this single received great response from critics, this trio of 20-somethings from Lawrenceville, Georgia surged in the charts.
Not only did “Bad and Boujee” hit No. 1, but it surpassed Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles.” Social media was taken over by the opening line of the track (turns out anything can rhyme with “raindrops, drop-top”).
Not only was the chart topping “Bad and Boujee” a good listen, but all 13 songs offer up some true potential. There seemed to be a new focus on quality-assurance throughout the album.
Besides this newer quality, there was a range of features placed delicately throughout the album. It is hard to say whether the album has been an evolutionary step for them, but so far it is receiving lots of attention.
On “T-Shirt,” the album’s second biggest hit, the beat architecture puts emphasis on the flow (“Whoa kemosabe, chopper aimin’ at your noggin”) and shows how addictive trap music can be. There was also the fact that the Migos were featured in the Golden Globe nominated show, Atlanta.
Donald Glover even thanked the trio at the award show, calling “Bad and Boujee” “the best song ever.”
Credit has not been given yet to the fact that the old man DJ Khaled hopped on the intro of the album, which is also the title track “Culture.” Migos now seem to be in control with more of a calm and unhurried approach. On “Call Casting,” they call out the so-called “white boys” in the game. They have cleaned up the street-rap sensibilities with some screwball lyrical flourishes.
No longer does Migos seem to be fixed on flaunting their success. Sometimes they seem to even be desensitized to fame, trying to reorient themselves with the street and its nostalgic comfort.
Drug slang is consistently being thrown out, and is sometimes covered up by the distraction of fluttering flute patterns on the track, “Get Right Witcha.” There was reference to Offset being in prison on “Deadz,” which reflects on the dangerous upbringing the group experienced while all living in Quavo’s mother’s house as young teens.
With more features from Travis $cott and their favorite, Gucci Mane, this is not one to brush over. Culture finishes on “Out Ya Way,” which is a nice wrap up potentially reflecting on those who have helped the Migos get to where they are.
