Need It (feat. YoungBoy Never Broke Again)

“Need It” is a street anthem that delves into the themes of survival, wealth, and the violent realities of a high-stakes lifestyle. The song serves as a narrative of the artists' journey from a life of crime and struggle in North Atlanta to achieving immense success in the music industry. The titular 'it' is never explicitly defined but can be interpreted as money, power, respect, and the weaponry needed to protect them. The lyrics are a raw depiction of their past involvement in the drug trade and a celebration of the opulence their success has afforded them, symbolized by frequent mentions of diamond-encrusted jewelry ('ice') and luxury items. The song is also a declaration of their authenticity and a warning to their adversaries, emphasizing their readiness to resort to violence to maintain their status. The collaboration with YoungBoy Never Broke Again reinforces the track's gritty, street-oriented themes, as all artists share a similar narrative of rising from difficult circumstances.

The narrative of the song, delivered with a raw and unfiltered energy, revolves around the artists' past struggles and their current affluent and perilous lifestyles. It opens with an emphatic declaration of needing a 'Draco'—a compact and powerful firearm—portraying it as an undefeated tool for survival and dominance in their environment. This immediate plunge into a world of street credibility sets the tone for the rest of the track. The lyrics vividly paint a picture of a life where wealth and violence are intertwined. There are numerous references to expensive jewelry, such as a diamond-studded wristwatch compared to a 'snow cone,' which serves as a symbol of their success and status. This opulence is juxtaposed with the constant threat of danger and the need for self-protection. The artists recount their origins, specifically mentioning coming 'straight out the Nawf' (North Atlanta), a nod to their roots and the journey from selling drugs ('hard,' 'heroin') to achieving mainstream success. This backstory adds a layer of authenticity to their current boasts of wealth, which includes luxury cars and private jets used to evade law enforcement. Throughout the song, there's a recurring theme of loyalty to their crew and a defiant stance against rivals ('opps') and the authorities. They talk about being prepared for any confrontation, emphasizing their readiness to use violence to protect their reputation and territory. The verses from the different artists—Quavo, Offset, Takeoff, and YoungBoy Never Broke Again—weave together to form a cohesive narrative of a high-stakes life. They touch upon their interactions with women, often in a transactional and detached manner, further highlighting a lifestyle hardened by their past experiences. The song critiques others in the industry who they feel have copied their style and flow, asserting their originality and pioneering status in the rap game. There's a sense of pride in their journey, a celebration of their success, but also an underlying acknowledgment of the constant dangers that accompany their fame and fortune. The recurring hook reinforces the central idea that in their world, power, respect, and the means to protect oneself are not just wants, but absolute necessities.

"Need It" was released on May 22, 2020, as the lead single from Migos' fourth studio album, Culture III. The track was produced by Buddah Bless. A preview of the song first surfaced online in January 2020 through a video showing Offset and YoungBoy Never Broke Again in the studio recording it. The song notably features an interpolation of 50 Cent's 2005 track "Get In My Car," which led to Curtis Jackson (50 Cent) and Tony Cottrell receiving songwriting credits. The other credited songwriters are Quavious Marshall (Quavo), Kiari Cephus (Offset), Kirshnik Khari Ball (Takeoff), Kentrell Gaulden (YoungBoy Never Broke Again), and Tyron Douglas (Buddah Bless). The recording and engineering were handled by DJ Durel, with mixing by Leslie Brathwaite and mastering by Colin Leonard. The song was one of several tracks Migos released in 2020, including "Give No Fxk," "Racks 2 Skinny," and "Taco Tuesday," leading up to their next major project.

The lyrics of "Need It" are rich with symbolism and metaphors that paint a picture of the artists' lifestyle and mindset.

• The 'Draco': The recurring mention of the 'Draco,' a compact AK-47 style pistol, symbolizes power, authority, and the ever-present threat of violence in their world. Describing it as 'undefeated' emphasizes their feeling of invincibility and readiness for conflict.
• 'My wrist look like a snow cone': This is a vivid metaphor for a diamond-encrusted watch. The 'snow cone' imagery powerfully conveys the excessive and dazzling nature of their wealth.
• 'Nawf': The repeated reference to the 'Nawf' (North Atlanta) is a symbol of their roots and authenticity. It grounds their success story in a specific place and reminds listeners of their journey from the streets to stardom.
• 'Vegan': In Takeoff's verse, the line about people claiming to be 'vegan' when discussing 'beef' is a metaphor for rivals who talk tough but are unwilling to engage in real conflict or confrontation.

The predominant emotional tone of "Need It" is one of aggressive confidence and defiant pride. The artists project an aura of invincibility and unapologetic self-assurance, stemming from their successful navigation of a dangerous and competitive environment. There's a palpable sense of tension and aggression throughout the track, created by the hard-hitting beat, the forceful vocal deliveries, and the lyrical content focused on weaponry and confrontation. This is blended with a celebratory and boastful mood, as the artists flaunt their wealth and status as symbols of their victory and survival. While the overarching emotion is triumphant and assertive, there are underlying hints of a hardened, street-wise mentality that is constantly aware of potential threats, creating a complex emotional landscape of celebration mixed with vigilance.

"Need It" was a significant release for Migos, serving as the lead single for their highly anticipated album Culture III. The song performed well commercially, peaking at number 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and receiving a 2x Platinum certification from the RIAA in the United States. Its music video gained considerable attention for its parody of the 1996 cult classic film Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, which was well-received by fans and critics for its creativity and humor. The track's use of a sample from 50 Cent's "Get in My Car" also generated discussion, connecting the new school of trap with an influential figure from a previous era of hip-hop. The song solidified the already popular collaboration between Migos and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, two major forces in Southern hip-hop. The song has accumulated over 422 million streams on Spotify as of June 2025.

The rhyme scheme in "Need It" is intricate and characteristic of Migos' style, heavily featuring internal rhymes, multisyllabic rhymes, and their famous triplet flow (three syllables per beat). This creates a dense and rhythmically complex lyrical texture. The rhythm is driven by the bouncy, trap-influenced beat produced by Buddah Bless. The rappers' vocal deliveries often play with the beat, sometimes falling directly on it and at other times syncopating against it, adding to the song's dynamic energy. The chorus employs a relatively simple and memorable rhyme scheme, which makes the hook catchy and impactful. The interplay between the different rappers, each with their distinct cadence, adds another layer of rhythmic variation to the track. The tempo is upbeat and aggressive, matching the confrontational and boastful nature of the lyrics.

"Need It" showcases Migos' signature ad-lib-heavy, triplet flow, creating a dynamic and energetic rhythm. The song is structured around a call-and-response format, particularly noticeable in the interplay between the members of Migos and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. This back-and-forth adds a conversational and lively feel to the track. The production by Buddah Bless features a prominent bassline and is built around a distinctive replayed sample of 50 Cent's "Get In My Car," which gives the song a familiar yet fresh sound. Lyrically, the artists employ a range of street slang and metaphors to articulate their experiences and perspectives. The vocal delivery is confident and assertive, reinforcing the song's themes of power and dominance. The official music video further enhances the song's narrative with visual references, including a parody of the 1996 film Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, with Offset playing the role of Loc Dog.

What is the song 'Need It' by Migos and YoungBoy Never Broke Again about?

'Need It' is a track that details the artists' rise from a difficult past involving street life and drug dealing to their current status of wealth and fame. The lyrics focus on the necessity of power, respect, and self-defense ('Draco undefeated') in their world, while also celebrating their lavish lifestyles.

When was 'Need It' by Migos released?

The song was officially released on May 22, 2020. It was the lead single from their fourth studio album, 'Culture III'.

What song does 'Need It' by Migos sample?

'Need It' features a prominent sample (interpolation) of 50 Cent's 2005 song 'Get in My Car' from his album 'The Massacre'. This is why 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) is credited as a songwriter.

What does the 'Nawf' mean in the lyrics of 'Need It'?

The 'Nawf' is a slang term for North Atlanta, Georgia, which is the area where the members of Migos are from. It's a reference to their roots and their journey from that specific neighborhood to international stardom.

What movie is the music video for 'Need It' parodying?

The music video for 'Need It' parodies the 1996 cult comedy film 'Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood'. Offset's character in the video is a direct homage to Loc Dog, who was played by Marlon Wayans in the movie.

Who produced the song 'Need It'?

The track was produced by the American record producer Buddah Bless.

What do the lyrics 'My wrist look like a snow cone' mean?

This is a metaphor used to describe an expensive, diamond-covered wristwatch. The imagery of a 'snow cone' is used to emphasize how much ice (a slang term for diamonds) is on the watch, making it look like crushed ice.