Straightenin Explained

Straightenin
Cover:Migos - Straightenin.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Migos
Album:Culture III
Length:4:16
Label:
Producer:
  • DJ Durel
  • Atake
  • Sluzyyy
  • Slime Castro
  • Nuki
  • Osiris
Prev Title:Need It
Prev Year:2020
Next Year:2021

"Straightenin" is a song by American hip hop trio Migos. It was released through Quality Control and Motown on May 14, 2021, as the second single from their fourth studio album, Culture III.[1] Straightenin was the Migos last single to be released before the death of their member Takeoff the next year in 2022.

Background

In March 2021, Quavo previewed the song's music video on social media.[2] The track and the accompanying video were released on May 14, 2021 with an announcement of the album Culture III.[3]

Hong Kong rapper and producer Big Spoon accused Migos of copying his 2020 song "Magic Show 魔術表演", which he compared to "Straightenin" in an Instagram video, saying, "I composed and produced the song by myself, did all the rapping, and played all the instruments so there are no samples or loops taken from elsewhere. I tweaked their song to the same tempo and key for comparison."[4]

Composition

The song features "triplet flows and ad libs" quickly rapped over "booming bass, crisp percussion and a woozy synth line".[5] Quavo mentions acting alongside Robert De Niro in the 2022 film Savage Salvation ("I'm counting dineros with Robert DeNiro / He telling 'em that Cho amazing"), and also raps, "Turn a pandemic into a bandemic / You know that's the shit that we on". Takeoff then raps, before Offset raps the third verse with a "silky flow talking about his days spinning the block."[6]

Critical reception

Althea Legaspi of Rolling Stone described the song as "classic Migos".

Music video

The official music video for "Straightening" premiered along with the song on May 14, 2021. It was directed by Keemotion.[7] The Migos are joined by friends and expensive items, such as luxury cars and vehicles.[8]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[9]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[10] 8
US Rolling Stone Top 100[11] 25

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] 59

Notes and References

  1. Migos Are Back with 'Culture III' Single 'Straightenin': Watch The Video. Billboard. Billboard Staff. May 14, 2021. May 14, 2021.
  2. Web site: Moorwood. Victoria. 2021-03-30. Migos preview unreleased song ahead of 'Culture III'. 2021-06-01. Revolt. en.
  3. Web site: Triscari. Caleb. 2021-05-14. Migos drop video for new 'Culture III' single 'Straightenin'. 2021-06-01. NME. en-GB.
  4. Web site: Li. Nicolaus. 2021-06-01. Rapper-Producer Claims That Migos "Straightenin" Copied His Track. 2021-06-01. HYPEBEAST.
  5. Legaspi. Althea. 2021-05-14. Migos Drop New Song 'Straightenin'. 2021-06-01. Rolling Stone. en-US.
  6. Web site: Saponara. Michael. 2021-05-14. Migos Make Comeback Complete With 'Straightenin' Video. 2021-06-01. HipHopDX.
  7. Web site: Migos Share New Song "Straightenin": Watch the Video. Pitchfork. Bloom. Madison. May 14, 2021. May 14, 2021.
  8. Web site: Migos drop video for new 'Culture III' single 'Straightenin'. NME. Triscari. Caleb. May 14, 2021. May 14, 2021.
  9. Web site: Credits / Straightenin / Migos - TIDAL. Tidal. May 14, 2021.
  10. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. May 24, 2021. May 24, 2021.
  11. Top 100 Popular Songs. Rolling Stone. May 14, 2021. 2021-06-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20210603001607/https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2021-05-14/. dead.
  12. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 3, 2021.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Straightenin".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.