Never will there be a socially accepted pity party to pacify the plight of a superstar. Still, all the riches and success often ignore the effort it takes to maintain that notoriety at the top of the food chain. Eminem recently showed a legend’s vulnerability on his quest to please varying audiences through his latest LP, resulting in his lowest received album of his career. And despite having a legacy that single-handedly altered the DNA of both Hip Hop and R&B, Drake will forever be blemished by the moment he had to admit he uses individuals “to spark” ideas, a sugar-coated phrase for ghostwriting.
And now it’s Migos — who’ve enjoyed the past 365 days and some change — eclipsing career milestones. Thanks to their Billboard-topping Culture album + “Bad and Boujee” package deal that brought forth mainstream crossover ubiquity and more paid appearances than a former U.S. president — who are feeling the pressure to stay scorching. Culture II arrives a full year after its predecessor in obvious efforts to duplicate the massive status bump but the tight-knit trio of Quavo, Offset and Takeoff instead pull a 180° and drop off a thumb drive of songs that completely undermines their self-proclaimed “biggest group ever” title.
That’s not to say the first Culture installment was the trap genre’s answer to The Police’s Synchronicity; an impenetrable hit-laden classic that simply calls for a curtain call. Yet, between the aforementioned “Bad and Boujee” and other all-inclusive catchiness like “T-Shirt” and “Slippery,” the group easily joined the ranks of rap’s upper echelon. But Migos appear to have overlooked the time and dedication it takes to create a sound body of work. The past year has seen Quavo rise as a leading guest feature, event host and budding TV star while Offset has given Instagram followers real deal Love & Hip Hop episodes through his relationship with Cardi B. The cousins also extended their rapping talents into adjacent 2017 projects (with Travis Scott and 21 Savage, respectively) and their stretched dedication sets the stage for the generally unassuming Takeoff to easily outshine his Migos brethren all throughout Culture II.
The sheer incredulity alone of trying to pass off 24 new records as “quality control” is insulting as virtually every song title serves as the chorus with the assembly treatment. On the failed buzz single, “Supastars,” Quavo croons “Supastars, supastars, supastars out” atop a smattering of whizzing 8-bit Nintendo sound effects, and the anticipated Drake feature, “Walk It Talk It” is deflated by the Migos’ leader’s stilted delivery of “Walk it like I talk it (walk it)/Walk it like I talk it,” thrown on the blender’s highest setting. This coming from someone who’s been responsible for some of rap’s biggest sing-a-long moments in the past couple of years.
In fact, Quavo’s lack of highlights throughout the album’s 100+ minute duration isn’t limited to wack hooks. His bars this time around are ripe with Bill Walton-level sports commentary (“Shoot like I play for the Duke”; “Catch a Babe Ruth/The bat I batted the bat”; “Look at my muscles/MVP the whole game/Quavo Russell.”)
The creativity scrapes the bottom of the barrel on “Too Much Jewelry,” which, as the song title indicates, finds Zaytoven’s space-age production being wasted with four minutes explaining the afflicted lifestyle of owning more ice than the polar caps.
While the bulk of the songs can’t disguise their rush-job origins, tinges of Trap Boy Magic do spring up from time to time. Wedged near the end of the elongated tracklist, surprisingly pure “Made Men” officially marks the ATLiens’ venture into traditional Hip Hop territory. Although it was billed as a precursor for greater things to come, “Motorsport” — a Hemi engine of trap powered by both unleaded testosterone and estrogen (the latter delivered by Nicki Minaj and Cardi B) is the project’s most sturdy pillar and indicates Migos didn’t exactly lose their talent as much as their focus.
A close second arrives in the form of “Stir Fry,” an energetic rocker that finds Pharrell continuing with the buoyancy displayed all through N.E.R.D.’s last album. All three Migos deliver enthusiastic commercial-ready performances — as in perfect for any streaming service or home studio TV spot. Regardless, the few bright moments still alleviate the task of having to comb through radio reaches like the sugary “Gang Gang,” the boring “Bad + Boujee” clone “Beast,” or “White Sand,” where Travis Scott, Big Sean and Ty Dolla Sign hit the beach to simply squander studio time.
It should probably matter more that Culture II is a dud, but in today’s feeding frenzy musical climate, its lack of cohesion won’t prevent concertgoers enduring the forgettable records just to see “Bad and Boujee” performed live; nor will it quell any future “Migos Nights” at Atlanta Hawks games; nor will it stop the bag.
But when one considers how often star artists are able to completely command the anticipation, it becomes clear that Culture II will go down as a missed opportunity to obtain immortality. An opportunity that may never come again.
Review: Migos’ “Culture II” Is An God Awful Piece of Trash. — There, fixed the headline for you.
I rated it 1 cuz I couldn’t rate it zero.
I had to boycott the migos because they are a bunch of homophobes.
A lot of comment sections are homophobic too, maybe you could boycott those?
I really think that they are in the closet Gay men and tranny lovers.
Culture 3 coming first quarter 2019!!! God I hope not
why are people that hate migos always on migos related pages?…and then rating the album like they listened to it…i’m enjoying the album…they’re a fun group…takes away the stress of my mom dying when i listen to it…
What is this? People have different opinions than I do? No, I will not stand for this! Everyone on here has to like the album and give it good ratings!
Hating requires too much energy. I gave the album a listen and it wasn’t good to me. Pretty cut and dry.
trash!!
Basic album, too much singing. Takeoff alone bumps this up one. Reviews on here are too inconsistent
24 INSANE SONGS! everytime I hear one that’s bomb, I hear another that’s even hotter. This album does not disappoint! It’s AMAZING. They really did their thing on this. Those that complain that you can’t understand a thing that MIGOS say, you won’t say that on this album and MIGOS fans don’t feel that way anyway. We know each of their voices and understand MIGOS lingo and we love it. But I feel that they’ll gain new fans with Culture 2. Don’t miss it! Get it NOW
Must be hard to see the keyboard with all 3 Migos d icks in your mouth.
Cardi B? Is that you?
Shit is trash
Are they for real? Heavy Metal Kings 2 : Black God White Devil makes Migos look like doo doo
they put 21 songs in this album? lmao. that is text book, here today gone tomorrow type shit.
This is terrible von pea and the other guys is out
Who and what are y’all listening too?!?!…Iam not a huge migos fan but…this joint is clearly better than their last album.
This site use to be good….Y’all fucking up.
Nobody out there is saying this is better than the last album? Bad and Boujee is Better than every song on here. What type of non rap judge crack are you smokin????
Migos been wack as fuck since the first album they all sound like the weak 90s style no limit spitters. Watch the descent into mediocrity from here. An them GOAT comments ???? fuck outta here
I’ll be so happy when this mush-mouth screech-screech garbage will run its course. It’s time for a changing of the guard. Youngsters, stop destroying this beautiful culture. Content matters.
all that glitters is not gold…THEY HOT GARBAGE
Listen to the new Evidence instead ya bastards
The album wasn’t bad..its WAAAY better then that dumpster fire eminen dropped last month…
That’s not saying much…
How am I not surprised, Why don’t you go and suck on the Migos dick some more
I like Migos but this album was almost complete trash. It sounds like they didn’t even try to put out shit their fans wanna hear, they just want the streams and money.
HORRIBLE trash made by three very talentless ugly gay men.
Garbage!
Referencing The Police Synchronicity makes no sense man. Migos and most of their fans were not even born when that record came out.
Is anyone really surprised? Everything about these guys screams cheap. What, some of y’all thought they were real artists cuz they named their album “Culture” and made a couple dollars? Jokes on you.
Who cares about a bloggers opinion. The album is fire. This is probably the only full album worth listening to crested in the past 10 years
*created
This is probably the only album you listened to in the past 10 years if you’re gonna make that asinine statement.
Well why don’t you tell me an album that is equal to or better or are you just going to get your feelings hurt by my opinion. Bunch of weak bums on here, can’t even congratulate them even if you don’t like their music. Reality check, there you are logging on to this site and hopping on a thread of an artist you don’t like just to hate on another mans success. Pathetic.
*to “the fake g” – clever by the way
U do know that Kendrick and Kanye have released some of the most critically acclaimed albums ever this decade and your in the rap site comment sections yawning about a weak Migos album. You do know that right????
Nah, too many albums to name. I’d be wasting my time with you. But I’ll throw a few prime examples your way: Good Kid Maad City, Tetsuo & Youth, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
wack
I caught autism just watching the videos in this review. Worst ever compilation of random awful sounds.
This comment is fire.
Pure trash. Do not waste your time
Can’t believe hip-hop reached such a low level in terms of quality and consistance ! I always thought southern hip-hop couldn’t do worst than this Lil Jon and crank music era but this Migos situation proves me wrong ! And it’s a shame so much hip-hop veterans are showin some love and supporting these wearing gay ass feminine rappers, specially when these veterans come from an era where in ordered to be considered as a real mc you should prove your skills as a rhymer, a lyricist and a performer. Whatever, 0/5
I’d rather jump off a bridge than endure this shit again. Thank fuck for Kendrick Lamar and the forthcoming Black Panther soundtrack. Thank fuck for Rapsody. Where’s PRhyme 2? I think all these garbage trap albums open up an opportunity for real lyricists to step back in, 2 Chainz sold out, Big Sean sold out, too many people lost last year. I wondered why their Joe Budden “diss” was so lame, but it’s because they’re ONE HIT WONDERS! They can’t even craft a vicious one-liner.
I assumed that this would be garbage, but after forcing myself to listen all the way through I can say I am surprised by how much worse this album is than I expected. It’s bad + booty.
Who ever gave this album 5/5 must’ve forgot there helmet before getting on the short bus. Heard about 6 of the songs on xm radio and nothing but nursery rhymes, I’ll save my ears from enduring any more of these guys that claim G.O.A.T when they spend the whole time in a song just spelling it out. IS THIS WHAT WE ACCEPT AS A SOCIETY ??
How are these guys so famous while people like Milo are only semi-recognized? I feel like I’m getting dumber by the minute with Migos tracks.
trash
Step your hip hop game up bruh.You obviously haven’t heard of Dave East.Migos are garbage compared to real spitters like Dave East.
Probably a good album in there but so much filler that’s bland and all sounds the same
best album ever ! guava, takeout + upset are killing da game right now !
Dave east? He doesn’t spit THAT great.
rate these idiots with 1 ! let’s make hip-hop great again and pay attention to those artist right now who really deserve the attention.
Trash
Culture 1 was dope…. but this is trash