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| Cover Art for "Culture" |
Migos. Migos are a hip hop trio from Lawrenceville, Georgia or if you're like me, you've mostly heard about them coming out of (or being popularized from) Atlanta, Georgia. Now, the group consists of 3 members, Takeoff, Offset & Quavo. Quavo's name is the most recognizable of the group simply because he has more notable (solo) features with major artists such as Kanye West, Travis Scott, and more. Offset and Takeoff aren't as well known or recognized but when it comes to the Migos as a group. Offset and Takeoff seem to shine tens times more than Quavo at certain times. Don't get me wrong, no Migo is overall just definitively better than the other, in fact, I think they all bring their own unique characteristics and strengths to the group without over powering one another or sounding too out of place. I primarily think that this is why a lot of people often get the members of Migos confused for each other. It's simply because Quavo, Offset and Takeoff have so much chemistry and are so in sync with each other, that they can transition effortlessly between verses of each member. They can do this so well, it's to the point where newer listeners will have trouble telling them apart at first. Obviously, the more people listen to Migos, the more apparent the differences between each member becomes...
Migos have been bubbling in the hip hop world for a while now. If you have been even marginally following hip hop for the past 4 years now. You'd notice a shift toward artists (especially newer artists) doing what is popularly called "The Migos Flow" which is a flow in which the rapper rhymes words in a triplet rhythm. Check out this video to hear what I'm talking about [Linked Here]. This flow was popularized in the early 2010s by Migos but 3 6 Mafia member Lord Infamous has been cited as one of the first major rappers to have used the coveted triplet flow.
Migos have had a slew of well known songs in the hip hop world including Versace (and the Versace remix with Drake. Sidenote: I first heard of Migos through the remix of Versace with Drake while it was being played on the radio so, Drake gave them a good look and definitely helped get the Migos' name out there.), Fight Night, Look At My Dab (Bitch Dab) and more. But none of those previous songs mentioned have had as much of an impact as their number 1 hit "Bad and Boujee (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)". And I'm not the type to really like number 1 hits but I'll be damned if "Bad and Boujee" isn't a nice song. The beat is hypnotizing in a good way (Dat Way), Offset and Quavo both flow like water over this Metro Boomin/G Koop instrumental. Lil Uzi Vert is, well, Lil Uzi Vert, and he does what he does. I don't really care for Lil Uzi Vert on this song however I do think he's just barely tolerable on "Bad and Boujee". He doesn't do enough to ruin the song, but man I really wish Takeoff would've been on the original version of this song so it can be complete with the trio rapping on their first number one song in the United States (although a remix with Takeoff on "Bad and Boujee" is rumored to be coming out). It would've been the ultimate "nothing to something" moment for them, but 2 out of 3 members isn't bad. But it doesn't look good for live television performances where Takeoff looks like a hype man for a group that he's apart of, but I'm sure Takeoff is just fine, he's still part of the group and without Takeoff there is no Migos.
So now here we are, in 2017 with their 2nd full length album "Culture". I've never listened to a full length Migos project before (and I'm willing to bet a LOT of other people haven't either), so I'm going into this with no real expectations, I just want to listen to some catchy music...let's see if Migos can give me that with "Culture"...
1. Culture (feat. DJ Khaled)
Migos start off their second album with everyone's favorite meme-able DJ, DJ Khaled. Luckily, he gets out of the way before he gets on my nerves with his played out DJ Khaled-isms (I hate how he still recites his played out sayings though, like damn can you beat a meme to death anymore, Khaled? It's past a dead horse, at this point, it's more like beating a horse's skeleton). Migos comes through with their signature flows over a unassertive trap beat that allows each member to shine through with their flows and entertaining adlibs. It's not anything new or explosive from the Migos. Just a standard Migos song with a DJ yelling on the intro and outro of the actual track. The thing that I notice (and that everyone notices) is that on the hook of the song, Takeoff says "Culture album comin' soon" which is not possible cause I'm currently listening to the "Culture" album right now...
And then it hit me...
The reason Takeoff is saying "Culture album comin' soon" is because...
THE ALBUM IS AHEAD OF ITS TIME
Haha, no, I'm just kidding, it's more than likely that this song was supposed to be on DJ Khaled's last album "Major Key" that he released last year in 2016. Still, a decent intro to the album. Nothing mind blowing or anything, but solid.
2. T-Shirt
Here we get one of the catchiest hooks on the entire album and I like it in a good way. The way Quavo says "Mama told me...not to sell work" will be sure to get stuck in your head. I totally think it is because Quavo raps in a way that is very imitable, even a toddler can recite the hook to this song and there in lies the genius of the Migos. They can make hooks that anyone can remember and recite word for word, and that's a strength many rappers don't have.
Now, can I tell you about anything noteworthy from the verses? Nope, nothing really interesting content wise in this song, but I don't think the content is supposed to matter on this track. It's that catchy flow that all 3 members use for the duration of this entire track. The flow is very catchy and works in a way that makes "T-Shirt" one of the better tracks on "Culture". The beat contains this subtle creeping synth(?) in the background of the beat that makes this beat feel very hypnotic, similar in a way that "Bad and Boujee" is hypnotic. "T-Shirt" makes for great background music listening like when driving, this song works best when the hook comes on and you can recite the hook to "T-Shirt" word for word. The verses each member spits don't really do much to draw my attention, only the hook that Quavo does. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I'd say all the verses just sound like one big hook cause Migos use the same flow for the hook as they do for their own respective verses. So, it doesn't make the verses for any particular member of Migos stand out.
I would've definitely preferred a change in flow from the hook to the verses for each member but if the flow ain't broke don't fix it, right?
Definitely a highlight track on the album, even if only for the catchy hook and favorable production.
3. Call Casting
It seems like Quavo is clearly the one member who is best at making hooks out of all 3 Migos. I say this because I'm 3 tracks into this album and Quavo, so far, has had the catchiest hook on "T-Shirt". The other 2 hooks I've listened to have both been by Takeoff (this song's hook and the first track's hook) and I've noticed that they aren't as memorable or captivating as Quavo's one hook, so I'm thinking that one of Quavo's better attributes as a rapper is catchy hook making. In fact, during his verse on this song, I remember hearing Quavo say "8 ball corner pocket" and that's the first line in a verse on this album that I clearly remember as a stand out line.
This song is decent too, not as good as "T-Shirt" mind you, but still solid in it's own right. There's nothing really noteworthy about this track either though. Everything on here is just done "really good". There's no extremely captivating hooks or any extraordinary verses being spit on this song. Just "standard Migos song #9487" and it's cool if you're already an established Migos fan, but I'm somebody who's a first time listener and so far "Culture" has been a smidgeon above average. This song however, is dragging "Culture" more into the average category than it does to elevate it past the "the only slightly above average" category.
4. Bad and Boujee (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)
I've heard this song on the radio about 4 times in full already and I'm still not tired of this song. It's great really. The beat is just creative enough to keep me entertained with its hypnotic, sinister sounding synth(?) one minute and then its softly played xylophone(?) coupled with a steady changing bass line that allows for Offset and Quavo to make the best use of their signature flow that some people credit them as the originators of (don't forget Lord Infamous of 3 6 Mafia had this flow now). But yeah, I love both Quavo's and Offset's opening lines. The way each Migos member kick their bars is utterly mesmerizing. This is one number 1 hit song that I'm going to be sad when it leaves the charts because the production is so good that even Lil Uzi Vert couldn't ruin this (I was worried when he came in with his trademark "YAH YAH YAH YAH" I was like "Oh no, here comes Lil Uzi to derail my enjoyment! WHY GOD?" but then his verse was somewhat tolerable so I was glad.), and all in all, this is a clear-cut highlight track on "Culture". Even though Takeoff couldn't make it to the party with the "Bad and Boujee" girls, his other 2 family members held it down for him (I'm still waiting on that remix of this track with Takeoff subbed in for Lil Uzi Vert though).
Also, kudos to Offset on the hook. When he says "My niggas is savage, ruthless (ruthless)" I really believe it, like Offset's delivery on that hook really sells the song. I hear why this song went number 1. It's hypnotizing, in a good way, and the 2/3s of Migos on here do a good job rhyming in their respective, memorable verses. If only Takeoff was on here, the song would be perfect. But as it stands right now, "Bad and Boujee" is pretty damn good for what it is. A catchy song about pretty women with superiority complexes...oh and convertible cars, and cookin' up dope with firearms, and other cool guy rapper things such as that.
5. Get Right Witcha
Yeah, there's definitely an inconsistency in the song quality on "Culture". Certain songs like "T-Shirt" and "Bad and Boujee" just to name a couple are clearly better than the other songs on here and this song is no exception. Standard Migos song 101 right here. The hook is a little catchy but not as hypnotizing or captivating as say the previous track. What I like most about this track is the beat. There's a nice, pleasant sounding wind instrument used in the production of the song, and it makes this song sound better as a result. The production makes this song, and Migos, unfortunately don't do much to flow over or use the beat in any kind of special way. The entire vibe of this track just screams "Another day, another song, another dollar". This song isn't horrible, but when you've heard rappers like the Migos shine at 100% like on "Bad and Boujee", when they shine at 65% it just makes the song very forgettable.
And that's what this song is, forgettable to a good degree.
6. Slippery (feat. Gucci Mane)
Slightly better hook on here than "Get Right Witcha" so that's a plus. This is what I'm talking about when it comes to inconsistent quality in the tracks. Other tracks are clearly better than others and that's not a good thing, it's a bad thing. But yeah, how's this track overall? Well, as you can see, Gucci Mane is featured and usually with Gucci, it's hit or miss for me cause sometimes he kills it, like on Lil Wayne's "Steady Mobbin" (Sidenote: that song will be turning 8 years old this year! I fondly remember listening to that song in middle school thinking I was so cool, it makes me happy to think of those times) or Freddie Gibbs's "10 Times" it's usually a hit but sometimes Gucci verses are subpar. I can't think of any examples off the top of my head but I wouldn't put it past Gucci to give a crappy feature or 2 here and there. It's only natural after all, when you've had a career as long and as extensive as Gucci's. Not every verse can be a life changing, classic one.
More importantly, upon repeated listens of this track, I really enjoyed Offset's verse on this track. Especially his last 5 lines when he said "I coulda pulled up and just shot ya (brrt)", the way he flowed those last few lines were pretty cool.
Then Gucci Mane comes in and also ends his verse in a great way by saying "And I'm a murderer, nigga, but I don't promote violence". Which is a great contradictory line. It was also just good hearing Gucci's verse breaking up the Migos voices up for a bit for something different. Perfectly placed feature.
The beat is okay, and like I said the hook is better than "Get Right Witcha" but doesn't meet "T-Shirt" or "Bad and Boujee" levels of catchiness. Besides the feature, this is a mostly another forgettable song by Migos. I like it, but I struggle to remember anything about this track other than Offset and Gucci's last few lines. That's not a good thing, I want to be enthralled with more than just a small section of a verse.
Decent song, made good by a well placed feature and slightly above average hook.
7. Big On Big
I love when I recognize a producer's tag. Migos enlist the help of producer extraordinaire Zaytoven to produce "Big On Big", a song about how other rappers cannot compete with Migos on any level since they are already the best at what they do and whatever they decide to do. Basically, it's impossible to stunt on the Migos as they have the ability to flex just as hard and flex just as big (get it? Cause the song name?). Anyway, Quavo proves why he's the best hook maker in Migos (I don't understand why they don't just give Quavo 9 out of every 10 hooks, he'd murk them all with his catchiness) because I thought his verse was very clear, and easy to understand. Thus, allowing me to pick up more easily on his flow and catchiness. Hell, if I don't know better, I'd think Quavo was doing a pre-hook or a bridge or something alluding to Takeoff's hook cause Quavo's verse was the best, most catchy thing about this song.
If it weren't for Quavo, I wouldn't have liked this song. The hook is nothing special really, in fact the hook is a little bad. The hook sounds to wordy in relation to the beat. Like Takeoff was clashing with the beat instead of riding the beat and making it his during the hook. As a result, the beat sounded awkward sounding when Takeoff's hook comes in. Like one of those custom youtube music mashups where the acapella of a rapper rapping on one song is put over a beat that doesn't match the cadence or flow of the acapella. That's what I felt I was listening to on this track for the most part (Except for Quavo's verse. I really think he saved this song).
"Culture" has now went from above average, to now forgettable, once again. Not good, very inconsistent quality in the track listing like I said before.
8. What the Price
First, shoutout to Takeoff for showing some semblance of social consciousness in his verse. It makes for a nice change of pace from all the drug dealing, gun violence and luxurious flexing the Migos do, which is a lot. Don't get me wrong, I don't want Migos to become some sort of conscious rap group. But I do appreciate little nods or references to what's going on in the actual world around the Migos. The world we all inhabit. Even if it's just for a passing few lines on Takeoff's verse. I appreciate the small semblance of "Hey kids! Sometimes you don't have to listen to your teachers and church preachers to find success. Sometimes you can find success in your own way, like me and 2 family members did!" Everything else mentioned, content wise, is standard Migos drug talk. You know, "What the price" of said illegal substance that they are inquiring about purchasing.
However, I've also read that the hook of "What the Price" could also be interpreted as "What the Price" of fame and fortune in the music industry. Seeing as all 3 Migos had to leave their old lives behind in order to pursue success in the music industry. They all came from hard-knock beginnings and have struggled to get where they are at now. They've all "paid the price" and are now seeing how much the price is increasing. While I do appreciate the idea that the Migos came in with a focus on the concept of "The price of fame" Offset's verse is very scattered brained, and doesn't reach any sort of self awareness or consciousness that Takeoff's verse reached. So, I can reasonably assume that this song was written more with the idea of asking about the prices of drugs. Now, if they wrote "What the Price" with the fame concept in mind, then that is great. More power to Migos. But, I think only Takeoff went in the booth with that concept in his mind, and to the other 2 Migos, this was just another song. That's my guess as to how they approached this song. I haven't seen any interviews where they state how they made this song so if anyone knows for a fact how they came up with the concept for "What the Price". Please let me know.
I think it's an okay song, definitely better than "Big On Big" that's for sure. More of a step in the right direction. But still not in the same tier as "Bad and Boujee" OR "T-Shirt". Just another decent Migos track, which isn't a bad thing, but isn't a great thing either, it's more of a forgettable, mediocre thing.
9. Brown Paper Bag
There's honestly nothing special about this song. This is probably the most generic Migos song I've heard so far on this album. The beat sounds tolerable, but nothing memorable, feels like Zaytoven gave these guys a leftover beat that was just collecting dust. All the Migos do is flex and while I have absolutely no qualms about a rapper stunting on me (I'd probably have to quit reviewing hip hop if that was the case). They just do it in such a generic fashion. Standard flow from Migos, standard subject matter, hook does not have any catchiness that makes it truly memorable like "Bad and Boujee" for example. I just imagine Migos making this track like "We need more songs, let's get in the booth and do what we do best...FLEX!" And that's how Brown Paper Bag was born. What they should've did with Brown Paper Bag was fill it with dog poop and then ring their neighbor's doorbell, put it on youtube and call it a prank. That would've been ten times more interesting than this song. One thing I notice about Migos is that quality consistency in their songs are not their strong suit. It's very up, down and mostly middling when it comes to this track listing.
My least favorite song so far on "Culture".
10. Deadz (feat. 2 Chainz)
Takeoff must have heard my complaints about the previous track I reviewed because he spit THE. BEST. VERSE. on the entire album. My god, that man went in! Before this track, I thought I preferred Quavo the most out of all 3 Migos. But then I realize that while Quavo's strength is in catchy hooks, Takeoff's strength is in actual verses, and lyrics. Offset, I think is the most versatile of the group, I think he can do the hooks and spit a dope verse when needed with equal amounts of skill.
But back to Takeoff's verse...that man went inside the booth and did this
By far, the best verse on the album. I could feel the aggression, flow, bars, content and flawless delivery all packed into one short and concise verse. Damn Takeoff, why can't you spit like that all the time? And why can't the other members of your group be inspired by you and spit a verse as good as yours? Why why why? But anyway, everything else is okay, the beat is nice and hard hitting to a certain extent. Not insanely bass heavy like this song, but there's definitely some kick to this beat. You can't just ignore the beat in the background. The "pre-hook" (which should've been the actual hook) is actually performed by all 3 Migos, which is nice for a change, cause that "You niggas in trouble" line sticks out and is more memorable than the actual hook for the song itself.
But forget everything else, did I mention Takeoff's insanely good verse yet? When I'm only expecting catchy flows and hooks, and then I get blind sided with actual lyrics along with a great flow and delivery, I don't know how to react, other than giving Takeoff major praise. When you've been bombarded with strong, catchy hooks and flows, followed by mediocrity when it comes to verses, and you finally get something of a real high quality verse, it makes that quality verse, that much more quality. Like when a pretty girl hangs around less attractive girls to feel better. It's like finally getting to the surface to breathe oxygen after nearly drowning, the air just feels so much better and you cherish it more.
I almost forgot about my guy 2 Chainz. He comes through too, albeit, not as hard as Takeoff, but he definitely had a nice flow and a short verse that I can certainly cosign and get behind, I thought his verse sounded dope.
This is undeniably one of my favorite tracks just due to that 3rd verse by Takeoff alone.
11. All Ass
Beat is banging on this one! See, the difference between a song like this and a song like "Brown Paper Bag" is that the Migos actually sound good on this song. Even if this song is just dedicated to women, the Migos know what they are going to talk about, which is women and of course, the affluent lifestyle that they and these women share. On "Brown Paper Bag" it just sounded like they were rapping just to rap cause "Hey! We're releasing an album and we need to record tracks for it!". This track sounds like they wanted to make this song and put it out there to the public. It just so happens to have ended up on their second album. That's the difference between this track and the 9th one. I can distinctly hear a difference in beat, cadence, flow, hook etc., and how much effort went into each song. This song, had more enthusiasm from Migos than that 9th track ever did.
This is a cool song, I won't return it though, but this song doesn't lower nor increase the quality of this album. It's simply just there, "here's a song for women to shake their butts to...enjoy!" And sometimes, that's good enough. Solid song.
12. Kelly Price (feat. Travis Scott)
Damn, Migos and Travis Scott don't miss do they? A nice, smooth, cruising-in-your-car-late-night-at-about-2AM-or-so type song. "Kelly Price" is about all the things your parents warned you about. Drugs, sex and people of questionable morals. But I'll be a monkey's uncle if this doesn't sound nice when it's night time and you want something that has bass but at the same time creates a calm, laid back atmosphere. That is what this song does, I love it actually. Type of song that I put in the same category as "T-Shirt" "Bad and Boujee" and "Deadz". It's really the kind of song that I can put on repeat when I want to zone out at night time (this song gives off a very nocturnal ambiance and it works).
Travis Scott's feature makes him sound like he's the long lost 4th member of the Migos. Travis blends in perfectly with all 3 members while still sounding just different enough to differentiate himself from the other Migos. Travis comes off specifically sounding like Quavo's more hoarse voiced little brother, it's great. Another highlight track for me.
I've also read that Quavo and Travis Scott may have a collaboration album coming out. So, if songs similar to "Kelly Price", "pick up the phone", "Oh My/Dis Side" and "Sloppy Toppy" are on that collaboration than consider me all for this Quavo/Travis Scott album. I simply want songs with the same feel as those 4 that I named.
13. Out Yo Way
Aww, Migos dedicate the final song on "Culture" to the women who have truly been there for them. Not just the groupies or random women that they have sex with, but the women who truly support them in more ways than one. This track continues the laid back, nocturnal mood that was established by the previous track, "Kelly Price". I like this song too. It has a positive message at it's core on top of being a enjoyable, mellow song. The Migos close out the the album on a nice note. It proves to me that Migos are perfectly capable of having nice, sentimental moments that have a positive impact. But when you're "Handsome and Wealthy" how can you not flex on your haters/doubters 90% of the time?
But in all seriousness, this was a good track and an admirable way to close out the album. Good for you, Migos.
Overall, I see why this album was released when it was. No other major artists dropped a project on January 27th, 2017. And since Migos had the number 1 song in the country with "Bad and Boujee" the iron was hot and Migos struck with "Culture". In other words, the timing for Culture's release was perfect. However, this album isn't a classic, the hip hop community won't be talking about "Culture" as a whole album 10 years from now or anything like that (if anything, they'll talk about the singles "Bad and Boujee" or "T-Shirt") but this album isn't awful trash either. It's somewhere in the realm of pretty good, which I'm surprised at for a Migos project. These guys come from the Gucci Mane school of "Release a ton of music at once and see what sticks" and while it does, more often than not, make for forgettable/mediocre music, it's simply how they roll in the music game. The Migos aren't going to reinvent the wheel, or do anything off the wall or experimental or anything like that. They have their lane, which is making catchy trap music, and they fill it well at times. On "Culture" there are more misses than hits, but when it does hit, it's magnificent, but when it doesn't, it makes for a very bland experience.
The Good:
~ Migos know how to get songs stuck in your head via catchy flows and hooks.
~ While they aren't the most socially conscious rappers out there, Migos do, at times, show some form of self awareness in their lyrics. Which, I do appreciate whenever they do decide to sprinkle some self awareness in their verses or hooks.
~ Takeoff on "Deadz", enough said.
The Bad:
~ Inconsistent quality on the track listing (some songs are clearly better than other songs, that's why songs like "Bad and Boujee" and "T-Shirt" stick out so much, those songs are just leagues better than the majority of tracks on "Culture").
~ Far too often Migos seem to focus almost exclusively on delivery and flow rather than content. And while I do appreciate a good delivery and flow more than actual content. The content is severely lacking at times on this album, especially on "Brown Paper Bag" which is really just an empty boast song that lacks any sort of real character.
~ Nobody should feature DJ Khaled on their songs anymore. I'm officially putting a ban on all DJ Khaled featured songs where he's just yelling out his tired, worn out and washed catchphrases like "Congratulations, you played yourself" and "Another One". I'm sick of it.
Closing Words: Migos prove that while they can dish out quality music on certain tracks. There are too many times where it sounds like Migos are rapping just to rap and fill up a track listing. The lyrics are frequently meant to just go in one ear and out the other. Just nod your head to the flow, and while it does make for a passable experience on first listen. On repeated listens, the songs simply aren't memorable, and will be lost in the abundance of expendable trap music out there. Which is sad, but the Migos will always have those hit single tracks to keep their name afloat and relevant for years to come.
Favorite Track(s): T-Shirt, Bad and Boujee, Deadz, Kelly Price, Out Yo Way
Least Favorite Track: Brown Paper Bag
Score: 6/10
Listen to Migos' "Culture" here.
OH GOD! I guess I DECIDED to do a review on Big Sean's album next. Be on the lookout for that, BOI. Swerve! [Insert other Big Sean adlib here]
-Joe
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