The Life and Legacy of Migos
By: James Kelly
If you’ve been paying any attention to the rap scene or even just the music scene, it would’ve been nearly impossible not to have heard of Migos. After the recent and tragic death of Takeoff, one of the three members of Migos, in early November, we thought it would be a good idea to detail the life of Migos and how they became one of the biggest rap groups ever.
One of the best things about the group and the reason for their incredible chemistry is that they did not just form a rap group together, but they all grew up together in Atlanta and are all related. They grew up listening to artists like OutKast, Gucci Mane, and Lil Wayne.
They officially formed in 2008, however, they did not rise into popularity until their first big hit, “Versace,” which was released in 2013 and introduced the “triplet flow” to mainstream rap. This song got a Drake remix released later that year and peaked at 99 on Billboard Hot 100. However, this was only a taste of what was yet to come.
After many of their sleeper hits turned to mainstream hits, Migos was turning into one of the prominent figures in Atlanta rap. In late 2016, they released the lead single “Bad and Boujee” off their album “Culture”, which featured Lil Uzi Vert. This track went on to claim the top spot on Billboard Hot 100, becoming their first song to do so. The release of the album boosted them into the mainstream, debuting at number one. This album then went on to be nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2018 Grammys.
If the first “Culture” album propelled them into the mainstream, then “Culture II” sent them to a new level of rap. The first three singles of “Culture II” all peaked in the top 10, with the album itself debuting at one, once again. Songs like “Stir Fry,” “Walk It Talk It,” and “Motorsport” became some of the biggest hits of 2018. They also got many heavy hitters to help them with this album, with features such as Drake, Post Malone, 21 Savage, Nicki Minaj, and Travis Scott, and production from Metro Boomin, Wheezy, Pharrell, and Kanye West.
After the three became some of the biggest rappers of the 2010s, they went on to cement their positions as they each released solo albums over the next two years. Quavo was first with “Quavo Huncho” in October 2018, Takeoff second with “The Last Rocket” in November of the same year, and Offset with “Father of 4” in February 2019. After a hiatus due to COVID, they returned in June 2021 to release the final installment of the “Culture” trilogy, “Culture III.” This album debuted at number two on the Billboard charts, with only Polo G’s “Hall Of Fame” coming in front.
After a rift in the group, Quavo and Takeoff released a collaboration album without Offset named “Only Built for Infinity Links'' in October 2022. Less than two weeks later, Takeoff was sadly killed in a shooting in Houston, Texas.
During the group’s peak years, they were an unstoppable force in the rap game. With their exaggerated ad libs and insanely catchy flow, every release for them was expected to be a new hit. It will be a long time before we see another rap group with the potential to make bigger songs than Migos.
