Atlanta’s premier hip-hop trio Migos released its highly anticipated second studio album, “Culture,” last Friday on Atlantic Records, just in time for the weekend.
The charismatic trio comprises Quavo, Offset and Takeoff, all of them being relatives; Quavo is Takeoff’s uncle and Offset’s cousin. They struck the hip-hop hemisphere when they rose to fame in 2013 with hits such as “Versace,” “Bando” and “Hannah Montana.”
“Culture”differs from their past record, “Yung Rich Nation” in that it features the select list of stars that are DJ Khaled, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott and Lil Uzi Vert. The record features trusted producers Metro Boomin and Zaytoven, who have worked with prominent rappers like Future, 21 Savage and Gucci Mane.
This record serves to describe the luxurious living, dangerous street life and debauchery of three gentlemen from North (“Nawf”) Atlanta’s Gwinnett County and contains anthems that are performed with a flow that only Migos has.
The trio establishes their ethos with the bumping first track, “Culture,” which sets the tone for the album. It contains an intro from the famous DJ Khaled, who warns listeners that anyone who has ever doubted the legitimacy of the Migos has played his or herself.
Takeoff raps in “Call Casting,” such as “I beat the pot with a passion / A hundred acres on the mansion / I dab in the latest fashion” and assures the listeners that the Migos will continue living an excessive life of high capital and partying and continue profiting off of what may be illicit business.
After this song lies what may be Migos’ biggest claim to fame and greatest breakthrough to date — the track “Bad and Boujee” which features a guest verse from the young and eclectic Lil Uzi Vert from Philadelphia.
“Bad and Boujee” was released as a single to promote “Culture” late last year and has since risen to no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, maintaining the position on the Spotify and Apple Music charts as well.
The prevalence of the song led the phrase from the hook, “Rain drop, drop top…” to be featured on popular memes on Twitter and Instagram.
The chorus’s catchiness and smooth instrumentals along with Lil Uzi Vert’s youthful feature has allowed this song to climb to the top of the charts and to be frequented in radio stations and social gatherings before the release of“Culture.”
The song has Quavo continue the theme of the Migos being busy working and making money and also being armed, should anyone try to interfere with its money, such as “I’m always hangin’ with shooters / Might be posted somewhere secluded / Still be playin’ with pots and pans, call me Quavo Ratatouille.”
Offset holds true to his North Atlanta roots by making many references to his area, like “We from the Nawf, yeah, dat way.”
Tracks that are sure to be streamed, often along with the other ones are “Get Right Witcha,” “Slippery,” “Deadz,” “All Ass” and “Kelly Price.”
Migos pushes their credibility by including a verse from the infamously exciting Gucci Mane, one of the forefathers of modern Atlanta hip-hop in “Slippery.” The veteran east Atlanta rapper has remarkably released a copious amount of mixtapes, as well as many popular studio albums before, during and after his two-year sentence in prison.
Gucci Mane’s support of Migos is what has ensured their high position in the hip-hop scene and made them an instrumental part of Atlanta artistic and club culture.
Among the likes of him are also features from hip-hop stars 2 Chainz, who rose to fame with anthems such as “I’m Different,” “I Luv Dem Strippaz” and “Birthday Song,” along with Travis Scott, who is best known by his track “Antidote.”
“Kelly Price” feat. Travis Scott and “Out Yo Way,” the last two songs on “Culture,” are calmer and less abrasive than the rest of the record, which I think effectively gives the listeners a break from the sonic mayhem and fun in the previous tracks.
“Culture” can be streamed on Apple Music and Spotify. It’s available for purchase digitally from all major music providers and physically as a 12-inch LP from migosculture.merchnow.com.
