Brittany Bullock
Staff Writer/MC486
Chart topping hip-hop group the Migos released their sophomore album, “C U L T U R E” on Jan. 27, 2017. The rap act earned their first Hot 100 No. 1 with the viral track entitled, “Bad and Boujee”.
The album included 13 singles, which featured high profile artists such as 2Chainz and DJ Khaled.
“The new album title is about the culture of hip-hop music. It’s time to let the culture be known. It’s time to claim it. And it’s time to claim that we are the Migos, and for people to understand that this is what we did. We did a lot for music. Migos is the culture. Seriously. There are artists that are way bigger than us that get recognition off our flow,” said Migos group member Offset in a Hotnewhiphop.com interview.
Students at Jackson State University gave the album mixed reviews, some loved it and others were not impressed.
Bryana Sampson, a freshman physical therapist major from Douglasville, Ga. said, “Back home we love listening to the Migos. Their music goes hard and there is always a beat that you can nod your head too. Whether you’re young, old, professional or amateur, anyone and everyone could catch themselves reciting the lyrics to a catchy Migos track.”
Sampson recommends that while the Migos’ music is all right for the average college student, it definitely earned it parental advisory label.
“College causes a lot of stress. If you want to take a ride and just jam to some good down south trap music with killer ad-libs and beats, then this is the album for you. I wouldn’t encourage anyone under the age of 16 to listen to this album simply because it has cursing and sexual content in it, and kids oftentimes repeat what they hear. I am an overall fan and I’m behind the progression 100 percent,” said Sampson.
Reviews from YouTube and other social media outlets are half and half on the likes and dislikes of the album. Like social media, several students around campus were not impressed.
“I listened to it and the album is absolutely nothing to write home about. Their deliverance is not what I myself would call music. I mean, I would literally need a translator to give me a better understanding for what certain slang or sayings they use really mean. I’m a PK (preachers kid) so it is important that I know what I’m rapping when singing a song. Especially if it is not a common phrase that could be easily misunderstood,” said Whitney Hunt, a junior social work major from Ridgeland, Miss.
Hunt added that she really does not listen to rap music, but if she did she would want to listen to something that made sense.
Hunt’s opinion may be a small drop of water in a big pond however. According to industry reviews, “C U L T U R E” is bound for the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s top 200 with first week sales between 100,000 to 120,000 equivalent album sales predicted.
In my opinion, Migos have worked hard to get where they are today. A lot of underground artists are not known or fully understood because they do not get the recognition they deserve. This album deserves a fair chance and an open ear from everyone who is willing to support what the group is trying to accomplish, and that is making great music.
