Culture (album) explained

Culture
Type:studio
Artist:Migos
Cover:MigosCulture.jpg
Recorded:2016
Genre:
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:3 Way
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:Culture II
Next Year:2018

Culture is the second studio album by American hip hop group Migos. It was released on January 27, 2017, by Quality Control Music, 300 Entertainment and Atlantic Records. The album features guest appearances from DJ Khaled, Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and Travis Scott, while the production was handled by Metro Boomin, Zaytoven, Murda Beatz, Buddah Bless, and OG Parker, among others.

Culture was supported by three singles: "Bad and Boujee", "T-Shirt" and "Slippery". The album received generally positive reviews from critics and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. It also topped the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming Migos' first number-one album on both charts. The album also debuted at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart. In July 2017, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2018 Grammy Awards.

Background

The trio first initially announced that the title for their second album would be called No Label 3, however, they later changed it to Culture.[1] After it was scheduled for release in October 2016, the release of the album was delayed due to their conflict with 300 Entertainment.[2]

Cover art

The cover artwork is made by Stole "Moab" Stojmenov, a young Italian graphic designer based in Milan, and makes explicit reference on the turning point that this album represent for Migos themselves. The cover is what Migos gave to American hip hop culture and the city of Atlanta in every sphere, from music to fashion.[3]

Promotion

Singles

On October 28, 2016, Migos released the lead single, "Bad and Boujee".[4] The song features a guest appearance from American rapper Lil Uzi Vert, while the production was handled by Metro Boomin and G Koop. The song has topped the US Billboard Hot 100, marking the first ever number-one for Migos and Lil Uzi Vert, respectively.[5] On June 20, 2017, "Bad and Boujee" was certified four-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[6]

"T-Shirt" was first released as the album's promotional single on January 6, 2017.[7] It was later impacted urban contemporary radio as the album's second single on February 14, 2017.[8] The song was produced by Nard & B and XL Eagle. It peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100.[9]

"Slippery" featuring Gucci Mane, was released as the album's third single on May 16, 2017.[10] The song was produced by Deko and OG Parker. It peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100.[9]

Promotional singles

The first promotional single, "Call Casting", was released on January 13, 2017.[11] The song was produced by Buddah Bless. It peaked at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100.[9]

The second promotional single, "What the Price", was released on January 19, 2017.[12] The song was produced by Ricky Racks, Keanu Beats and 808Godz.

Critical reception

Culture was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 79, based on 18 reviews. Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 7.1 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.

Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic praised the album saying, "Culture propels the Migos three into the mainstream with a collection of woozy trap gems that is a peak in their young careers thus far". Writing for Rolling Stone, Christopher R. Weingarten said, "Culture also sees Migos upping their game musically, working with some of Atlanta's hottest producers (Metro Boomin, Zaytoven) to cook up stickier melodies than ever". Clayton Purdom of The A.V. Club said, "On Culture the band stakes a claim as the most important rap group to come out of Atlanta since Outkast. That it even seems fathomable is proof of the album's success". Steve "Flash" Juon of RapReviews said, "Offset has developed into a charismatic storyteller who holds your attention when he keep the stories on wax rather than behind bars".[13] Karas Lamb of Consequence said, "Backed by production from Murda Beatz, Purps, Cardo, Zaytoven and Nard & B, co-pilots Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff sustain the hubris, excess, and immediate gratification adored by fans of gutter rap machismo while somehow bottling the very particular charm necessary for them to capture the hearts of pop-loving teens across the globe and carry rapping children's lit live on the radio". Chris Gibbons of XXL said, "Culture is a tour de force of all that makes Migos great while showcasing all of the group's strengths—the gift for catchy hooks and melodies, unique flows, incredible group chemistry and phenomenal one-liners".

Lewis Lister of Clash said, "CULTURE may be limited in its scope, but it delivers in spades everything one might have hoped for from "the Beatles of this generation".[14] Sofia Rajkumarsingh of The Line of Best Fit said, "Migos never try to recreate anything they've already done, but simply deliver more music that reflects their contagious, unadulterated flow. Culture is an album where they seize a moment of much-deserved success".[15] Winston Cook-Wilson of Spin said, "If you gauge artistic success by innovation, you can just filter the best of Culture, a very decent group of Migos songs, into a playlist. But if you appreciate Migos and the sound they ushered into contemporary rap as being one of the genre's most basic, essential natural resources, it will be easier to let the whole album—a drama of perseverance—ride out".[16] Kitty Empire of The Observer said, "Like their increasingly musical, but still weird, productions, Migos's triplet-heavy, robotic non-flows have come on leaps and bounds, while retaining the group's core starkness".

Rankings

Publication! scope="col" class="unsortable"
ListRank
BillboardBillboards 50 Best Albums of 2017
ClashClash Albums of the Year 2017
ComplexThe Best Albums of 2017
Exclaim!Exclaim!s Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums of 2017
FactThe 50 Best Albums of 2017
HipHopDXHipHopDXs Best Rap Albums of 2017
PitchforkThe 50 Best Albums of 2017
Rolling Stone50 Best Albums of 2017
The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time
Spin50 Best Albums of 2017
Stereogum50 Best Albums of 2017

Industry awards

Year! scope="col"
CeremonyCategoryResult
2018Best Rap Album

Commercial performance

Culture debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, earning 131,000 album-equivalent units in its first week (44,000 of which were pure album sales).[17] It also topped the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming Migos' first number-one album on both charts.[17] As of July 5, 2017, the album has moved 1,002,000 album-equivalent units in the United States.[18] On July 14, 2017, Culture was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales, streaming and track-sales equivalent of a million units.

It also debuted at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart with first-week sales of 2,000 copies.[19]

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[20]

Performers

Technical

Production

Additional personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2017)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Urban Albums (ARIA)[21] 2
Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)[22] 84

Year-end charts

Chart (2017)! scope="col"
Position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[23] 13
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[24] 60
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[25] 81
Icelandic Albums (Plötutíóindi)[26] 20
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[27] 46
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[28] 78
US Billboard 200[29] 8
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[30] 6
Chart (2018)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[31] 66
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[32] 44

Decade-end charts

Chart (2010–2019)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[33] 83

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateLabel(s)Format(s)Ref.
United States<-- US-only source is not a source for a worldwide release. Impossible to fully source. -->January 27, 2017Digital download [34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Walker. Angus. Migos Are Dropping Their 2nd Album, "CULTURE," This Month. HotNewHipHop. September 2, 2016. February 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20161214121529/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/migos-are-dropping-their-2nd-album-culture-this-month-news.23884.html. December 14, 2016. live.
  2. Web site: Smith. Trevor. Quavo Pushes 300 To Release New Migos Album: "You Makin' The Fans Angry". HotNewHipHop. October 15, 2016. February 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170111220054/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/quavo-pushes-300-to-release-the-new-migos-album-you-makin-the-fans-angry-news.24767.html. January 11, 2017. live.
  3. Web site: Van Sant. Nicole. We Talk 'Culture' And Graphic Design With Stole Stojmenov. utopiaplayground. February 16, 2017. March 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170307051428/http://utopiaplayground.com/article/culture-with-stole-stojmenov/. March 7, 2017. live.
  4. Web site: Bad and Boujee – Single by Migos . . February 1, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161114171329/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bad-and-boujee-single/id1168812085 . November 14, 2016 .
  5. Trust. Gary. Migos' 'Bad and Boujee,' Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, Tops Hot 100. Billboard. January 9, 2017. February 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170110114641/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7648006/hot-100-migos-bad-and-boujee-lil-uzi-vert-number-one. January 10, 2017. live.
  6. Web site: Gold & Platinum. Recording Industry Association of America. February 1, 2017.
  7. Web site: Jefferson . Devon . Migos – T-Shirt . HotNewHipHop . January 6, 2017 . February 1, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170108150456/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/migos-t-shirt-new-song.1972461.html . January 8, 2017 . live .
  8. Web site: Urban/UAC Future Releases . All Access . February 14, 2017 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20170214090227/http://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases . February 14, 2017 .
  9. Migos Chart History: Hot 100. Billboard. May 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180513200325/https://www.billboard.com/music/Migos/chart-history/hot-100. May 13, 2018. live.
  10. Web site: Cantor. Brian. Bryson Tiller, Migos Songs Tie For Most Added At Rhythmic Radio. Headline Planet. May 16, 2017. June 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170604004410/http://headlineplanet.com/home/2017/05/16/bryson-tiller-migos-songs-tie-added-rhythmic-radio/. June 4, 2017. live.
  11. Web site: Lilah . Rose . Migos – Call Casting | Stream [New Song&#93; |website=HotNewHipHop |date=January 13, 2017 |accessdate=January 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116165436/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/migos-call-casting-new-song.1972541.html |archive-date=January 16, 2017 |url-status=live ].
  12. Web site: Jefferson . Devon . Migos – What The Price . HotNewHipHop . January 19, 2017 . February 1, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170126083656/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/migos-what-the-price-new-song.1972615.html . January 26, 2017 . live .
  13. Web site: Juon. Steve "Flash". RapReviews.com Feature for February 7, 2017 – Migos' "CULTURE". RapReviews. February 7, 2017. March 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170302201647/http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2017_02F_CULTURE.html. March 2, 2017. live.
  14. Web site: Lister. Lewis. Migos – CULTURE. Clash. February 14, 2017. February 15, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170214145550/http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/migos-culture. February 14, 2017. live.
  15. Web site: Rajkumarsingh. Sofia. Culture by Migos. The Line of Best Fit. January 31, 2017. February 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170203034626/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/migos-culture. February 3, 2017. live.
  16. Web site: Cook-Wilson . Winston . Review: It's Worth Listening to the Rest of Migos' Culture, Too . . January 27, 2017 . January 27, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170127231036/http://www.spin.com/2017/01/review-migos-culture-a-story-of-perseverance-tests-the-if-it-aint-broke-dont-fix-it-thesis/ . January 27, 2017 . live .
  17. Migos Earn First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Culture'. Billboard. Caulfield. Keith. February 5, 2017. February 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170206012624/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7678046/migos-no-1-album-culture-billboard-200. February 6, 2017. live.
  18. Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.' & Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You' Lead Nielsen Music's Mid-Year 2017 Charts. Billboard. Caulfield. Keith. July 4, 2017. July 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170707063627/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7857070/nielsen-midyear-2017-charts-kendrick-lamar-ed-sheeran. July 7, 2017. live.
  19. Web site: On the Charts...This Week. FYIMusicNews. February 6, 2017. February 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170208033331/http://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2017/02/06/chartsthis-week. February 8, 2017. live.
  20. Culture. CD liner notes. Migos. 300 Entertainment. 2017. 02278-6.
  21. Web site: ARIA Australian Top 40 Urban Albums. Australian Recording Industry Association. February 6, 2017. February 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20160516170421/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/charts/urban-albums-chart. May 16, 2016. live.
  22. Web site: Top 100 Slovak Albums. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. August 8, 2024.
  23. Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2017. Billboard. December 15, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171224115202/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/top-canadian-albums. December 24, 2017. live.
  24. Web site: Album Top-100 2017. Hitlisten. January 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180110234132/http://hitlisten.nu/top2017.asp?list=Album%20100. January 10, 2018. live.
  25. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Album 2017. Hung Medien. December 23, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171223102835/http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2017&cat=a. December 23, 2017. live.
  26. Web site: Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2017. Plötutíóindi. is. April 1, 2022.
  27. Web site: Top Selling Albums of 2017. Recorded Music NZ. December 22, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222105611/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=4435. December 22, 2017. live.
  28. Web site: Årslista Album – År 2017. Sverigetopplistan. Swedish. January 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180116135356/http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=83&dfom=20170001. January 16, 2018. live.
  29. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2017. Billboard. December 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171224115207/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/top-billboard-200-albums. December 24, 2017. live.
  30. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2017. Billboard. June 1, 2020.
  31. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181204224411/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/top-billboard-200-albums. December 4, 2018. live.
  32. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2018. Billboard. June 1, 2020.
  33. Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200. Billboard. November 15, 2019.
  34. Web site: Culture by Migos. iTunes. January 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170106173917/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/culture/id1192538488. January 6, 2017. live.