Migos
Biography
Migos was an American hip-hop trio that rose to prominence in the 2010s, significantly influencing the sound of modern trap music. The group was formed in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in 2008 by rappers Quavo (Quavious Keyate Marshall), his nephew Takeoff (Kirshnik Khari Ball), and their friend Offset (Kiari Kendrell Cephus). They were raised together in Gwinnett County. The group was initially known as the Polo Club before changing their name to Migos.
Rise to Fame
Migos first gained recognition with their 2012 song "Bando". However, their major breakthrough came in 2013 with the release of the single "Versace". The track's popularity soared after Canadian rapper Drake remixed it. This led to their first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Following this success, they released a series of popular mixtapes, including "Y.R.N. (Young Rich Niggas)" (2013), "No Label 2" (2014), and "Rich Nigga Timeline" (2014). Their 2015 single "Look at My Dab" is credited with popularizing the "dab" dance craze.
Mainstream Success
The group's mainstream success was solidified with their 2016 single "Bad and Boujee" featuring Lil Uzi Vert, which became an internet phenomenon and their first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was the lead single from their second studio album, "Culture," released in 2017. "Culture" debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum. Their follow-up album, "Culture II" (2018), also debuted at number one and earned the group a record-tying 14 simultaneous entries on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat previously held by The Beatles. The final installment of their trilogy, "Culture III," was released in 2021.
Solo Careers and Disbandment
In 2018, the members of Migos began releasing solo projects. Quavo released "Quavo Huncho," Takeoff released "The Last Rocket," and Offset released "Father of 4" in 2019. Despite their individual ventures, the group continued to release music together. In the years leading up to 2022, rumors of a breakup began to circulate. These rumors were intensified by the release of a collaborative album by Quavo and Takeoff, without Offset, titled "Only Built for Infinity Links".
The Death of Takeoff
On November 1, 2022, Takeoff was shot and killed at a private party in Houston, Texas. He was 28 years old. Authorities stated that Takeoff was an innocent bystander to an argument that led to the shooting. His death sent shockwaves through the music industry and among fans. In February 2023, Quavo released the song "Greatness" which was interpreted as a confirmation that Migos had disbanded. Offset later officially confirmed the group's disbandment, stating that it wouldn't be right to continue without Takeoff, whom he called "the glue" of the group. Quavo and Offset reunited for a tribute performance to Takeoff at the 2023 BET Awards.