After the Atlanta-based group, Migos released their double-platinum selling album “Culture 2” back in 2018, the trio briefly went their separate ways. During their separation period, each group member released a solo album. Now the trio is back together again for the release of their fourth album “Culture 3”. “Culture 3” is the last installment in their Culture trilogy, and at 19 songs it features an All-Star guest list, including Drake, Cardi B, Future, Justin Bieber, and more.
“Culture 3” opens with “Avalanche”, a nostalgic song that features both a sample and an interpolation from the Temptations 1972 song “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” Lyrically the trio raps about their current success while also reminiscing on their upbringing. Although the trio is not rapping about anything new, this song makes for a good listen due to its smooth retro instrumentation.
The next song is the Drake-assisted “Having Our Way”. On “Having Our Way”, the foursome brags and boasts about luxurious items on a downtempo trap-infused beat. One highlight from this song is Quavo briefly taking a dig at his ex-girlfriend, fellow rapper Saweetie. The pair had a messy publicized breakup in which Quavo had Saweetie’s Bentley repossessed. He mentioned that incident in the song rapping, “She had it her way, now she out of a Bentley.” Even with that one line being mentioned in the song, Drake was the real star on the record. It felt like this was his song and that the Migos were the featuring act instead.
Songs where the Migos take center stage and hold their own are on “Type Shit,” “Birthday,” “Picasso,” and “Road Runner.” “Type Shit” features Cardi B and it is an aggressively rambunctious track. In this song, each rapper addresses things that they do not like over a quavering organ melody. “Birthday” is a mid-tempo bass-heavy trap song that utilizes ambient synth melodies. This song is very reminiscent of the group’s earlier work. On the track, the trio raps about their material possessions and how they get women.
Meanwhile, “Picasso” features Future, and it is a mid-tempo trap number that is infused with dominant flute instrumentals. In the song, the rappers discuss going from trapping to selling art to make money. Lastly, “Road Runner” is a classic Migos party record where the trio discusses their repetitive usual topics, including women and wealth. On “Roadrunner,” all three members are rapping at the same fast-paced level. The hook of the song is very bouncy, catchy, and easy to follow; overall, it is the perfect party record.
“Culture 3” is remarkably similar to the group’s earlier work and that is not necessarily a terrible thing. As the old saying goes “If it isn’t broke then don’t fix it.” What makes the Migos special is that they have their own unique style and formula. As an artist, they are very much aware of what works for them, and they use that to their advantage. With everything that has transpired within the last year due to the pandemic, this album has arrived at the right time. It feels good to have new party music as the summer season is quickly approaching.
