Supastars Explained

Supastars
Cover:Migos - Supastars.jpg
Type:promotional single
Artist:Migos
Album:Culture II
Released:January 22, 2018
Genre:Trap
Length:4:53

"Supastars" is a song by American hip hop group Migos, released on January 22, 2018 as a promotional single from their second studio album Culture II (2018). It was produced by Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Buddah Bless and DJ Durel.

Composition

The song features a "luminescent" piano loop and "droning" synth accents in a trap beat,[1] [2] as well as melodic vocals from Migos, who rap about their wealthy lifestyles which accompany their status as "superstars", with mention of new cars and jewelry.[3] [4]

Critical reception

Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork wrote a mixed review, calling the beat of the song "compositionally dazzling, though, layering various textures atop each other to create a real glow. C Note's keyboard chords nestle into a bed of beaming chimes as a kazoo-like synth blurts out." However, he was more critical of the lyrics, writing,

The trio raps about their staples—clout, cash, trapping, superstardom—and these bars mostly come out in jumbles; each rapper cuts corners, producing some of their least memorable verses in some time. There are plenty of filler bars like Takeoff's "I put my wrist inside the freezer / Came out froze" and more than a few half-baked ideas like Offset's "Marvin the Martian / I'ma put your brain up for auction." When the raps aren't bungled or sketchy, they're forgettable, the product of a group simply painting-by-numbers. 'Supastars' points to the possibility of Culture II being just another big-budget sequel, a shallow cash-in on the hype and not much more.[5]

Frank Guan of Vulture gave a favorable review, describing the instrumental as "a thing of beauty — slender, delicate, rapid, and forceful" and adding, "All Takeoff, Offset, and Quavo have to do is ride along with it. A couple of lines about dedication and exploding heads from Takeoff aside, the lyrics are the usual diamond-encrusted wallpaper, but so what? Lean back into the interior and enjoy the trip."[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Russell . Scott . Migos Share Slick New Culture II Single "Supastars" . . December 21, 2022 . January 22, 2018.
  2. Web site: Findlay. Mitch. Migos Premiere New "Culture 2" Single "Supastars". HotNewHipHop. January 22, 2018. December 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20180126125517/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/migos-premiere-new-culture-2-single-supastars-new-song.1977079.html. January 26, 2018. live.
  3. Web site: Schatz . Lake . Migos preview Culture II with new song "Superstars": Stream . . December 21, 2022 . January 22, 2018.
  4. Web site: Alysse . Bianca . Migos’ Rap Supremacy Continues With Star-Studded Album ‘Culture II’ . . December 21, 2022 . January 25, 2018.
  5. Web site: Pearce . Sheldon . Migos: "Supastars" Track Review . . December 21, 2022 . January 23, 2018.
  6. Web site: 7 Best New Songs of the Week . Vulture . December 21, 2022 . January 24, 2018.