Migos - Culture ALBUM REVIEW
Within the last half of the 2010s, the rap trio Migos were running rampant on the trap scene. Their earlier mixtapes like No Label 2 had a good amount on it, but a majority of the record just seemed like filler to me. Then, their second album Culture and the lead single with Lil Uzi Vert, “Bad and Boujee,” was released to acclaim from critics and fans. It was catchy as hell, and I was thinking that this was gonna be a turning point from Migos. Let’s get into what makes Culture so good.
Culture is a trap rap album, and it’s a very unique record. The sound is pretty same-old, but what makes Culture unique is how trimmed it is. It’s only 13 tracks and a little less than an hour long, which is considered a short trap record in these standards. There isn’t a lot of filler, which is a pleasant surprise for me. In a lot of trap records, artists like to get out as much content as possible, no matter how good or bad it is. For Culture, it seems like each member of Migos went into this record saying “We’re gonna put the best tracks we wrote and recorded on here” and it shows. The features from Uzi, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott, and Gucci Mane are pretty great here, as well. Even the fun DJ Khaled intro on the first track is a near-perfect way to start off the album, which I never thought I’d say in my life.
It’s also pretty tough to see how Migos can be considered as ‘mumble rappers.’ The release of “Bad and Boujee” is usually credited as the first mainstream appearance of mumble rap, and many of the characteristics shown throughout Culture is prevalent in many popular trap songs today. It’s worth noting that Culture and Migos and “Bad and Boujee” had given birth to a new era of rap, and that’s worth commemorating, but much of this era of rap is devoid of creativity unless an artist goes out of the way to push the envelope and change the sound. While I hope the next rap trend will have more creativity, I can’t discredit Migos for beginning this wave of music.
Culture is a footnote in hip-hop history, whether you like it or not. It proved that trap can be more than just playlist filler, even if the music itself isn’t boundary-breaking. Culture also proved that the Migos have some of the best chemistry in the game, even when they’re out making their not-so-great solo albums. Culture cemented the Migos as a force to be reckoned with, even if they slip up on their other projects.
8/10
Stream Culture here
Spotify
Apple Music
YouTube Music
Culture is a trap rap album, and it’s a very unique record. The sound is pretty same-old, but what makes Culture unique is how trimmed it is. It’s only 13 tracks and a little less than an hour long, which is considered a short trap record in these standards. There isn’t a lot of filler, which is a pleasant surprise for me. In a lot of trap records, artists like to get out as much content as possible, no matter how good or bad it is. For Culture, it seems like each member of Migos went into this record saying “We’re gonna put the best tracks we wrote and recorded on here” and it shows. The features from Uzi, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott, and Gucci Mane are pretty great here, as well. Even the fun DJ Khaled intro on the first track is a near-perfect way to start off the album, which I never thought I’d say in my life.
It’s also pretty tough to see how Migos can be considered as ‘mumble rappers.’ The release of “Bad and Boujee” is usually credited as the first mainstream appearance of mumble rap, and many of the characteristics shown throughout Culture is prevalent in many popular trap songs today. It’s worth noting that Culture and Migos and “Bad and Boujee” had given birth to a new era of rap, and that’s worth commemorating, but much of this era of rap is devoid of creativity unless an artist goes out of the way to push the envelope and change the sound. While I hope the next rap trend will have more creativity, I can’t discredit Migos for beginning this wave of music.
Culture is a footnote in hip-hop history, whether you like it or not. It proved that trap can be more than just playlist filler, even if the music itself isn’t boundary-breaking. Culture also proved that the Migos have some of the best chemistry in the game, even when they’re out making their not-so-great solo albums. Culture cemented the Migos as a force to be reckoned with, even if they slip up on their other projects.
8/10
Stream Culture here
Spotify
Apple Music
YouTube Music
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