Originally the group started as family, who all had an interest in music. It wasn't until 2008 that this trio took their talent seriously, and put together and released their first project "Juug Season" in 2011. The group later released another mixtape titled "No Label" in 2012, which featured "Bando", a track that was soon labeled a "dope-boy anthem".
In 2013, Migos released their breakout single "Versace". The single was produced by Zaytoven and peaked at number 99 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Later that year, Canadian rapper Drake brought the single more recognition when he remixed the song, adding a verse, which he would later perform at the 2013 iHeartRadio Music Festival. On June 13, Migos released their mixtape Y.R.N. (Young Rich N***as), which features the lead single "Versace", to critical acclaim. Brandon Soderberg of Spin gave it 8 out of 10 stars, commenting that it "is a super-cut of Dirty South vibes" and compared the three members to Gucci Mane, Soulja Boy, and Future.
On June 15, 2013, the group performed at rap radio station Hot 107.9's Birthday Bash. In October 2013, the group was featured in XXL's section "Show & Prove". "Versace" was placed in multiple year-end lists of 2013, including number three on XXL's "The 25 Best Songs of 2013", number four on Complex's "The 50 Best Songs of 2013", number five on SPIN's "50 Best Songs of 2013," number 38 on Pitchfork's "The Top 100 Tracks of 2013" and number 69 on Rolling Stone's "The 100 Best Songs of 2013." Y.R.N. (Young Rich N***as) was named the 27th-best album of 2013 and sixth-best hip-hop album of 2013 by SPIN.
Migos released their debut album Yung Rich Nation in July 2015, through Quality Control Music and 300 Entertainment. Their second album, Culture, was released in January 2017 also through both record labels, and debuted atop the US Billboard 200 chart. The group later signed a deal with Motown and Capitol Records in February 2017, and followed up the latter album with Culture II in January 2018, giving the group their second number one album in the United States.
On October 28, 2016, Migos released the first single of their new album Culture. The single was titled "Bad and Boujee". The song was produced by Metro Boomin and features vocals from fellow American rapper Lil Uzi Vert. The music video for the single was released on October 31. The single went on to top the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Migos' first number one single in the US. Their second album, Culture, was released on January 27, 2017. In April 2017, Migos were featured on Katy Perry song "Bon Appétit" from her fifth studio album, Witness.
On May 30, 2017, Migos (branded by Quality Control) released "Too Hotty" which is featured on the compilation album, Quality Control: Control the Streets Vol. 1 that was released on December 19, 2017. The single was officially released on streaming service on August 24, 2017. The music video was released on August 25.
On October 27, Migos officially released "MotorSport", the lead single off their second studio album Culture II, along with Cardi B and Nicki Minaj. The second single, "Stir Fry", was released on December 20, 2017 on the official Migos YouTube channel. The song was produced by Pharrell Williams. The song was used for the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend. A promotional single was released on January 22, 2018, titled, "Supastars". It was produced by Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Buddah Bless, and Quavo; it was co-produced by DJ Durel. Culture II was released on January 26, 2018. The album contains twenty-four tracks, featuring production from Metro Boomin, Dun Deal, Murda Beatz, Travis Scott, Zaytoven and others.
In October 2018, Quavo stated that Culture III would be released in early 2019. The album was then delayed and re-scheduled for release in early 2020. However, the album was pushed back again, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Quavo spoke to Billboard in March 2020, and announced the group's decision to hold off on the release of Culture III, explaining it was largely due to their inability to properly roll out the album once social distancing rules went into effect in most states in the US. Instead, the group will first release Quarantine Mixtape in the lead-up to Culture III.
Never Lived That Life
Migos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trap life lil' nigga, you might not live this life I'm talking bout
Trap life lil' nigga, you might not live this life I'm talking bout
The rap life and trap life, me and you can swap it out
Man I'm tired of selling bricks
Gotta [?] hit licks
Can't wait till I sign that deal
Listen up, nigga speaking real shit
Cause it ain't all what it seems
You can have it all at one time, then end up losing everything
And I put that shit on my mom
I'm a make it out of the slums
I'm a get [?] in a mansion, in a penthouse, living lavish
We at the top floor of the condo
We ain't never got to worry about the popo
We eating on shrimp and gumbo
We smoking on blunts, they jumbo
I got J's at the front door
I serve them up with that combo
Got birds flying like Dumbo but I keep a 9 like Rondo
I locked the game, I got the code
Cash coming fast that pronto
Making plays, Tony Romo
Two bad bitches, they homo
Trap game risky but it's so easy to flip them fishes
Popeyes, [?] chicken with them biscuits
Fuck an iPhone, trapping off a Tracfone
Give the Feds [?], they can't even track the phone
Ride through the city in a coupe [?]
Overseas with Muhammad [?]
Got a date with the money and the kush is my cologne
Sippin on lean out 2 styrofoam
I finesse a nigga for that cash in the red zone
You ain't never ever live the trap life nigga
You don't know nothing bout the rap life nigga
Hell nah I don't want to [?] it out with you
Cause you don't even know what you taking bout nigga
I don't know you but I know your [?]
But a nigga never ever got gwap with you nigga
You ain't got cash, you ain't never ever sold drugs
You ain't never chop it up with the plug
You ain't never roll down 85 with a 100 birds in a Lamborghini truck
When I'm filthy rich that's when I'll give this trap shit up
In "Never Lived That Life," Migos rap about the trap and rap life, where they cashed out on half a boat and hit the mall. They explain that the trap life is not for everyone and listeners may not have lived it, as they have. They also express their exhaustion with selling bricks and hitting licks to survive. Migos highlight the materialistic aspects of the trap life, such as living in a mansion or penthouse, eating shrimp and gumbo, and smoking jumbo blunts. Nevertheless, they caution that one can have it all one minute and lose everything the next. Migos convey the danger of the trap game but make it clear that they have no intention of giving it up until they are filthy rich.
Line by Line Meaning
Cash out on a half a boat, then I hit the mall
I made enough money to buy half a boat and then decided to go shopping at the mall.
Trap life lil' nigga, you might not live this life I'm talking bout
The trap life is not for everyone and you might not be able to relate to it.
The rap life and trap life, me and you can swap it out
We can exchange our experiences of the rap and trap life.
Man I'm tired of selling bricks
I'm exhausted from selling drugs.
Gotta [?] hit licks
I have to make money through illegal means.
Can't wait till I sign that deal
I'm looking forward to signing a record deal.
The trap life, I'll give it up quick
I'm willing to quit the trap life once I achieve success in the music industry.
Listen up, nigga speaking real shit
Pay attention, I'm speaking the truth.
Cause it ain't all what it seems
Things are not always what they appear to be.
You can have it all at one time, then end up losing everything
You can experience success but also face the possibility of losing everything in a short amount of time.
And I put that shit on my mom
I swear on my mother's name that what I'm saying is true.
I'm a make it out of the slums
I'm determined to succeed and leave my impoverished neighborhood.
I'm a get [?] in a mansion, in a penthouse, living lavish
I aspire to live a luxurious lifestyle in a mansion or penthouse.
We at the top floor of the condo
We live in a luxurious condominium unit on the top floor.
We ain't never got to worry about the popo
We never have to worry about law enforcement officials.
We eating on shrimp and gumbo
We are enjoying a delicious meal of shrimp and gumbo.
We smoking on blunts, they jumbo
We are smoking large blunts.
I got J's at the front door
There are Air Jordan sneakers at the front door.
I serve them up with that combo
I sell drugs with a combination of other illegal activities.
Got birds flying like Dumbo but I keep a 9 like Rondo
I have drugs being transported by airplane but also have a gun for protection.
I locked the game, I got the code
I have a strong hold on the drug dealing game and know all of the secrets.
Cash coming fast that pronto
Money is coming in quickly.
Making plays, Tony Romo
I make strategic moves similar to football player Tony Romo.
Two bad bitches, they homo
I have two attractive women with me who are romantically involved with each other.
Trap game risky but it's so easy to flip them fishes
Drug dealing is a dangerous business but it's lucrative and easy to make profits.
Popeyes, [?] chicken with them biscuits
I'm enjoying a meal from Popeyes fast food restaurant.
Fuck an iPhone, trapping off a Tracfone
I don't need an iPhone for drug dealing, a Tracfone will suffice.
Give the Feds [?], they can't even track the phone
I take measures to avoid detection by the federal law enforcement agencies who try to track my phone.
Ride through the city in a coupe [?]
I'm driving around the city in a sports car.
Overseas with Muhammad [?]
I travel abroad with my Muslim friends who share the name Muhammad.
Got a date with the money and the kush is my cologne
I'm meeting with money and using marijuana as my scent.
Sippin on lean out 2 styrofoam
I'm drinking codeine cough syrup mixed with soda from two styrofoam cups.
I finesse a nigga for that cash in the red zone
I use my skills to trick someone into giving me money in a high-risk situation.
You ain't never ever live the trap life nigga
You have never experienced the dangerous yet profitable drug dealing lifestyle.
You don't know nothing bout the rap life nigga
You have no understanding of the music industry and the struggles involved in making it big in rap.
Hell nah I don't want to [?] it out with you
No, I don't want to argue or have a discussion with you.
Cause you don't even know what you taking bout nigga
You are speaking about things you have no knowledge or experience of.
I don't know you but I know your [?]
I don't know your name but I have heard of you before.
But a nigga never ever got gwap with you nigga
I never made money with you and don't value your opinion.
You ain't got cash, you ain't never ever sold drugs
You have no money and have never been involved in drug dealing.
You ain't never chop it up with the plug
You have never had a conversation or made transactions with a drug supplier.
You ain't never roll down 85 with a 100 birds in a Lamborghini truck
You have never driven down Interstate 85 with 100 kilos of drugs in a Lamborghini truck.
When I'm filthy rich that's when I'll give this trap shit up
I will stop drug dealing only after I have become extremely wealthy.
Contributed by Kaitlyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.