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Migos: Pioneers of Trap Music
Migos is a groundbreaking hip-hop trio from Lawrenceville, Georgia, consisting of Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff—family members who have redefined the sound of modern rap. Renowned for popularizing trap music, a bass-heavy subgenre of Southern hip-hop, Migos’ unique style has influenced artists worldwide. They are also credited with sparking viral trends such as the dab dance. Among their most notable hits are “Versace” and “Bad and Boujee,” the latter of which catapulted them to international fame.
Migos: The Beatles of This Generation
At the 2017 Golden Globe Awards, actor and musician Donald Glover declared Migos “the Beatles of this generation,” praising their song “Bad and Boujee” as a cultural phenomenon. His comments created a viral moment, propelling the track to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. This endorsement solidified Migos’ status as hip-hop royalty and cemented their influence across both music and popular culture.
Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff: A Family Affair
Migos’ dynamic stems from their familial bond. Quavo, 26, is the cousin of Offset, 25, while Takeoff, at 22, is Quavo’s nephew. Their signature “triplet” rhyming style—rhyming over three beats within a standard 4/4 measure—has been emulated by high-profile artists such as Kanye West and Drake. Since their debut in 2013, Migos’ mixtapes and videos have gained viral traction, helping them transition from underground sensations to mainstream success.
Growing Up in Georgia
Quavious Marshall (Quavo), Kiari Cephus (Offset), and Kirshnik Ball (Takeoff) were all born and raised in Lawrenceville, Georgia, a quiet suburban town. The three cousins grew up together in a tight-knit bond. Quavo lost his father when he was just four, while both Takeoff and Offset’s fathers left during their early years. As a result, Quavo’s mother, a hair stylist, became a central figure in their lives. “She was the father figure,” Quavo told Rolling Stone in February 2017, adding that “she knew how to raise you as a man.” The boys affectionately called her “Mama.”
Each of them had unique interests during their upbringing. Takeoff had a passion for wrestling and even practiced in a makeshift ring in their backyard. Quavo, although captivated by marine documentaries on the National Geographic Channel, was also a standout quarterback at Berkmar High School. Offset, while talented in football, had a fiery temper that led him to military school.
The Journey to Migos
Quavo and Takeoff began experimenting with rap early on, with Quavo recording mixtapes under the name Crunk Boy by eighth grade. Despite his dedication, his classmates didn’t see his potential, often mocking him. But Offset, supportive of his cousin, was soon convinced to try his hand at rapping. By 2009, the trio had officially formed their first group, Polo Club.
However, music wasn’t their only focus during high school. Their song “Bando” details their involvement in the drug trade—’bando’ being slang for an abandoned house used to sell or manufacture drugs. As Offset explained to Rolling Stone, making music “took dough,” and they needed funds not just for recording equipment but also for clothes and jewelry, to look the part of aspiring rappers.
The Meaning Behind ‘Migos’
Their group eventually rebranded as Migos, a name thought to reference a drug house, though another interpretation suggests it is simply a shortened version of “amigos,” signifying their close bond.
From Local Hits to Global Success
Migos released their first mixtape, Juug Season, in August 2011, followed by numerous others and two studio albums. Their close-knit childhood forged an unspoken understanding that fueled their rapid work pace—they allowed themselves just 15 to 20 minutes to record a verse, which contributed to the urgency in their music. Pop-culture references, from Malcolm in the Middle to Hannah Montana, became a hallmark of their lyrics, reflecting their youth spent in the bando, often with the TV on.
Their song “Bando” gained local traction in 2012, drawing the attention of producer Zaytoven, who introduced them to trap music mogul Gucci Mane and manager Kevin “Coach K” Lee. In June 2013, Migos released their breakthrough mixtape YRN, which featured Gucci Mane and made its debut on the Billboard charts. Their rise to national fame was cemented later that year when Drake, after meeting them at an Atlanta event, added a verse to the remix of their song “Versace.” This collaboration propelled Migos onto the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time, and “Versace” became a cultural sensation, even being featured by the Italian fashion house during Milan Fashion Week.
Yung Rich Nation: Migos’ Debut Studio Album
Migos’ first studio album, Yung Rich Nation, was released on July 31, 2015, under the independent label Quality Control Music, co-founded by their manager, Kevin “Coach K” Lee. By this time, Migos was already making waves in the music scene, commanding a performance fee of $40,000 per show—a figure that would later double. However, at the time of the album’s release, the group had temporarily been reduced to a duo as Offset was incarcerated.
Legal troubles had plagued the group for some time. In March 2014, Rolling Stone reported that Migos had exchanged gunfire with another vehicle while traveling near Miami. A year later, in April 2015, Quavo and Offset were arrested on weapons and drug charges at Georgia Southern University, where they had been scheduled to perform. The arrest followed a police investigation after marijuana was reportedly smelled near their trailer. Along with them, Atlanta rapper Rich the Kid was also detained. Quavo and Rich the Kid received fines and were sentenced to community service, while Offset, with a prior criminal record, was sentenced to eight months in jail. Their manager, Kevin Lee, commented on the situation, stating, “When you’re young, Black, and successful, cops don’t like that.” In response to Offset’s imprisonment, Quavo and Takeoff collaborated with Rich the Kid on the track “Free Offset,” released in September 2015. However, Offset remained incarcerated until his release in December of that year.
Offset’s legal issues continued. In July 2018, he was arrested after being pulled over for what was cited as an “improper lane change” while driving his Porsche. Following a vehicle search, he was charged with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. His attorney deemed the arrest “improper” and stated that Offset would defend himself in court.
The Viral Success of “Bad and Boujee”
On October 28, 2016, Migos released “Bad and Boujee,” the lead single from their upcoming second studio album. The track, which referenced “cooking up dope with a Uzi,” quickly gained viral attention. By January 2017, the song received a major boost after actor Donald Glover gave it a shoutout during the Golden Globes, skyrocketing it to the top of the Billboard charts. The track accumulated 2.4 million YouTube views in a single night following Glover’s endorsement.
Migos’ second album, Culture, was released on January 27, 2017. Featuring guest appearances from DJ Khaled, 2 Chainz, Gucci Mane, Travis Scott, and Lil Uzi Vert, Culture debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 131,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified platinum just three months after its release, during which time the “Bad and Boujee” music video had garnered nearly 350 million views on YouTube.
In April 2017, Migos collaborated with Katy Perry on her single “Bon Appétit” and were also reportedly working with Liam Payne, formerly of One Direction. As Migos continued to rise in the music world, their collaborations and success solidified their place at the top, gaining them widespread recognition and influence in the industry.