Welcome to the Migos Show: Culture II Album Review
Whether you like it or not the hottest group in rap right now are indisputably Migos. They have a unique style that is widely debated over the current state of rap. They in comparison to 90’s style rap are extremely far away. The most famous rappers historically have been known to focus on their craft lyrically and the beat would merely be an accessory to the rap itself. Over time society seems to have evolved to care less about the words and more about the noise or how catchy a song is. Naturally people are critical of these trends but the younger generation seems to enjoy them. DHS enjoys it’s very own experience with rap due to seniors almost exclusively playing it during lunch. Senior Ryan O’Neil spoke wisely on this saying, “This style of music isn’t bad because it’s different. I think people just don’t like change. Doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it though.” Ryan seems to be set on his values and he’s got a fair point. Personally I believe rap to have a lot of responsibility in terms of the message it’s sending. Rap has a platform that reaches millions of people with all different socio-economic levels. Rap is truly important to many and Migos carry that with them. Let’s get into the latest release with Culture II.
Higher We Go Intro – A song that is most likely designed as a “tone setter” delivers a message that revolves around the return of the “Culture”. They most certainly are back and the entire rap game has eyes on their every move. It isn’t fair to group this song with the others because it serves a different purpose. All in all the song is forgettable but necessary. Best line – “I do it for the culture, bigger than Oprah, Mayweather 50-0”. – 6.3
Supastars – Pretty traditional Migos song where they use the word “Yeah” a disgusting amount. The beat was awesome but the song was boring. Best line was by far “whole gang in the field we don’t do bleachers” they love referencing sports and these guys are not the types to sit on the sidelines even in a hypothetical. I also love the line because it shows that they don’t leave those who helped them behind. As a three person group their posse is huge and you have to respect them sticking to their roots. 7.1
BBO – I hate 21 Savage. He’s atrocious in every aspect. It hurts that he’s considered one of the top rappers in the game right now. His monotone voice quietly spoken into the mic is something a robot could do with ease. The song is wildly degrading to women and sadly that fails to surprise anyone. I am however biased and completely against the song before I even turn it on so that needs to be considered. There are a few gems of lines in the song one that I loved was, “Reggie miller, shoot em’ bill up” this once again plays at their love for sports talking about shooting and former NBA star Reggie Miller. 5.7
Narcos – The most popular song on the album by far is pretty stupid altogether. “Narcos” takes place from the perspective as if they slang dope from South America. Overall it combines a Mexican vibe intertwined with modern day rap. Very unique and get the blood pumping. The funniest line from the song was repeated continuously in the chorus and it was “This real rap no mumble.” The phenomenon called “Mumble rap” is the specific brand of music that is critiqued massively in today’s rap culture. It’s basically rap without an emphasis on lyrics and more focus on hype and sound. The Migos boys are great at what they do but they are absolutely participants in “Mumble Rap”. Don’t get me wrong though, this song is dope and my second favorite song on the album. 9.1
Autopilot – This song is wildly unorganized and there’s some beauty to that. Literally every line explores a new topic that could literally be about anything. Take this line for example, “stiff arm, heisman (stiff), singing birds, isleys (brrt)” there’s absolutely no theme here it’s just random hype. I’m not gonna lie to you… I don’t hate it. It’s so bad that it’s good in a way. Wild how life works like that but then again it’s 2018 and the Kardashians run the world. – 6.3
Walk It Like I Talk It – The quality in this song varies a lot. Honestly the Migos crew doesn’t do a great job here. Drake makes an appearance and gave it the necessary life it needed because the chorus was dead and repetitive. As always Drizzy can levitate a song to the next level with only one verse. He has been killing the game since 2008 whether you like him as a guy or not. One really cool line was, “That’s on Tommy campos, we live like like Sopranos and I walk it like I talk it”. The song ends abruptly which is similar to how the Sopranos show ends. At times the lines are deep and have a super interesting meaning behind them…but not always. – 7.3
Emoji a Chain – While the title is confusing it needs to be known that these guys actually all have and commonly wear jewelry made of emojis. That is as simple as I can make it for you. Look it up on Google I swear that they do. Decent song overall but has a very 2018 vibe to it. If you showed this to Tupac back in 1995 he’d probably smack you in the face. This is however the new wave of music and there’s no point of resisting…right.? My favorite line contains a shout out to NBA legend Shawn Kemp. “Cruisin the coast like a Blimp, (go) dunkin’ a ball like I’m kemp”. Overall an extremely weird topic but an average song. – 7.4
CC – This song is written about the double logo from Chanel. In what almost feels like a plea from each respective Migo for a girl to get with them. You to admit there is some romance in that. If only the lines were a little more comprehensible. Gucci Mane features and shows his skill. Together this crew is 100% Atlanta bred and represent the Culture completely. Best line was a shout out to a great food that comes at a time when you are most hungry…Dinner rolls. “we got lows, my 66′ spokes, they look like dinner rolls”. Dinner rolls are not the entree and going into the meal you sometimes forget they exist. Every once in a while however they surprise you and show you the potential of a good dinner roll. Migos are like dinner rolls. Pretty good but this can’t be the whole dinner. 6.4
Stir fry – This song was produced by Pharrell Williams and definitely has a throwback beat to it. It reminds me a lot of Too Short’s “Blow the Whistle” or something from the 90’s by Nas. The beat is awesome and the chorus is great. This song has an indescribable x-factor feel to it. Sometimes you don’t understand why but a song just bumps. My advice is don’t fight it. Also this song features an incredible line saying, “Don’t discriminate, ball players come in all sizes- finger roll, post move or the pick and roll”. This is genius. On a basketball court you can truly excel in any type of style. Born short then become a point guard. Born big then become a forward. All in all a basketball court doesn’t discriminate. 8.7
Too Much Jewelry – I like this song a lot. Takeoff specifically shows off his ability. His verse makes the entire song better. Also the focus of their rise to fame is the a constant theme in this song and I have a lot of respect for that. It was definitely a little different from a normal Migos song and it’s similar to modern Kanye West. Offset doesn’t feature on this song which is important to note. Other than the fact that they can’t pronounce the word “Jewelry” I think this song is one of the best. 8.4
Gang gang – This song takes off with Takeoff being a weirdly elegant singer in the beginning. Also I want to say “don’t judge a song by its title” because this might be the most graceful song on the album despite what you may originally think. It may be awfully repetitive but it has a nice vibe to it so they can get away with it. Not typical. “All I want is nachos…and I all I want is Huncho”. In the background is a woman humming beautifully. This wasn’t typical Migos but it was great 8.5
White Sand – This song on paper has a lot of potential. It’s star studded and has Travis Scott and Ty Dolla $ign on the chorus with Big Sean having his own verse. Once again no Offset but other than they are loaded with talent. The song however is solid but doesn’t really live up to the hype. It’s the Derrick Rose of songs. The beat is techno flavored with hint of classic Migos. The rappers Ty Dolla $ign and Travis are similar to Migos in style but big sean is very different and gives the song some diversity. Big Sean is known to hang out with CEO’s so this line was creative saying, “a clique full of CEOS, none of us got a degree”. 7.4
Crown the Kings – I’m not going to spend too much time on this song because it’s not great. There’s one line that’s fairly creative saying, “chickens is tender – with her she said ‘I’m like Soulja Boy the way you tell em”. Overall if you have an album with this much content they can’t all be great. 6.3
Flooded – This songs beat is wildly unattractive. It hurts to listen too and if “White Sand” is the Derrick Rose of songs then “Flooded” is the Kwame Brown of songs. However the following line is a shout out to an awesome movie so props. “Makin that lie in the oven Superbad call me mclovin” 4.2
Beast – This song is centered around Cardi B and it’s a pretty funny song but very repetitive. The chorus is catchy but so similar. They repeat the line “She a lil’ beast” way too much but the song isn’t actually that bad. It’s mediocre and that’s ok. One cool line was, “You can get the money if you want to… feel like Bruce Lee Kung Fu”. 7.4
Open it up – The beat on this track is an all timer. It’s insanely good and will be used for instrumentals for years to come. I wish the song was a little better executed but honestly the song is good. Quavo specifically dominates the track and this line in itself was fire. “Leave that to the blocks (leave it) money to the stars (yoda)” Shout out to Yoda. 8.6
Motorsport- Starts off incredible and possesses arguably the best but Nicki and Cardi do not do their job. It feels like they were kinda forcing it at times and it was very clear to see. They also speak from the perspective of Bill Belichick knowing who the Migos are at one point in the song. That might be the most ludicrous thing i’ve ever heard. Bill Belichick doesn’t even know who Justin Bieber is. With the two girls again, they made a point of being extremely vulgar. Vulgar to the point that even in a rap song I felt the need to point it out. Like weirdly gross. Also following one of their most inappropriate songs Quavo says,”Oh yeah yeah I wish my grandma could see me (grandma)” . Really?? After this song you are really saying that? I gett hat you are successful and i’ll bet she’d be proud but like 30 seconds ago you were talking about drug deals and personifying women as wine bottles. 8.2
Movin Too Fast – The flows on this song were really good and it gives out an attractive vibe for each rapper. One super cool moment was when they mentioned the donation they made. “500k to the cancer” Offset’s grandma died in 2012 from bladder cancer and he set up a fund. Very cool to throw that little tidbit in there. 7.0
Work Hard – This song has a good meaning and the message is proving to everyone that at the end of the day they work hard despite what others may think. Quavo again shines on this track and provides a memorable chorus. “Mama ain’t really have a good job (let’s have a field day) but now she ain’t never gotta have no job”. I love when they talk about how far they came because that’s when they truly make their best music. Lovely beat. 7.5
Notice Me – Post Malone comes in with his beautiful voice and sets the tone early with his correct pronunciation of jewelry. This song is slow and definitely targets a certain slow vibe demographic. This song is average however besides the chorus. “Comin up watching these dudes on TV like they were what I wanted to be. Now I’m the one getting paid for it, thank god it’s a blessing to see.” Once again a solid line that shows how far they came from the streets to riches and you have to respect it. 6.8
Too Playa – This track starts with an awesome saxophone beat which I found it to be very unique and cool. The song however is not as unique and the lyrics are still trapped in the “Migos box”. 2 Chainz makes an appearance and has a decent verse. One specific line shouts out Jay-Z saying, “Tryna be like the carters, gotta be like the carters”. 8.0
Made Men – This song in my humble opinion is great. If i had to describe the beat I would say it’s a synthesis infused piano and it’s crazy cool. The boys give humble brags the entire song but every single rapper in the world does that. Senior Logan McGovern added his thoughts on the song and also raved saying, “The only song that they went out of the Migos box on and they killed it. Easily the best song”. Takeoff again kills the chorus and shows how underrated he is. They made it from nothing to something and no hurt feelings. “How did you come in the game? I came with the gang of course”. This line shows how even with all their fame they stayed united and were able to keep up with their roots. Culture is the theme of this album and it’s represented well here. 9.4
Top Down on the Nawf – Quavo completely dominates track enforcing his “Huncho” role yet again. It differs from “Made Men” in that lyrically it has little to substance. However one line of brilliance was, “trapping up out the gym, 2pac is above the rim (devoted)” Tupac starred in the movie “Above the Rim” and features as a local drug dealer who had a on of influence on high school sports. Kudos to the Migos for yet again taking a decent beat and doing an average job on the track. 6.7
Culture National Anthem – Like so many other songs on this album it has a bit of a “Yeezus” aura about it. Quavo once again reinforces that he is the leader of this group. The beat is a piano based repetition that similar to so many other songs on this album is very memorable. The last verse hints at the power and message that they ultimately want to bring with their fame. They have an unbelievably large platform and a huge following of all types of people however, they don’t approach controversial topics in any of their songs. In the last verse Quavo references Kaepernick who is currently a very controversial figure in the black community at the moment. He also references the overall division in the world. Both are very real topics that set rappers apart. I found it to be incredibly lazy and irresponsible for Quavo to not rap enough about the systemic issues in the current oppressed community. “They gon’ divide us all (all), that’s when it falls apart (apart) Tryna save the whole world, but it ain’t my job (job) No, it ain’t my job” My overall reaction to this would be yes Quavo, it technically isn’t your job to try and help society in anyway. You are a rapper I get it. To say that you recognize the issues and that you escaped all the hardships is frustrating as a listener. You’re basically saying that you are actively choosing against rapping about the issues that need to be talked about. I’m singling Quavo out because I know that he is the real decision maker of the operation. Despite all this criticism the song was great and one of my favorites. 8.8
Overall the album has its ups and its downs but overall fails to match “Culture” in terms of both quantity and hype. Personally I think everyone needs to pay attention to “Migos” because they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Hopefully they stay together as a group and continue to make music. Their style is captivating the music scene undeniably and seem to be appealing to a younger demographic of listeners with shorter attention spans. Nonetheless the album’s overall average score per song was a