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.
Trap 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
Imma make it out of the slums
Imma 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 its 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 thats when I'll give this trap shit up
The song Trap Life by Migos is a depiction of the life of drug dealers who make a lot of money but also realize the dangers that come with it. The lyrics talk about how they have made a lot of money, cashing out on half a boat and then hitting the mall. The phrase "trap life lil' nigga" is repeated twice, emphasizing the idea that the life they are living is not just about rapping, but also about the drugs and the money that they are making. They express frustration about their current lifestyle and the risks they take every day.
Migos paint a picture of a life full of ups and downs, and how they will eventually make it out of the struggle. Although they have big dreams of living in a mansion and penthouse, they do not want to forget their roots. They explain that no matter how big or small, everyone faces hardships in life. The song also highlights how difficult it is to escape the trap-life, the risks involved, and the lure of quick money. However, once they become filthy rich, they will give up the trap-life.
Line by Line Meaning
Cash out on a half a boat, then I hit the mall
I make a lot of money selling drugs and spend it all on expensive things.
Trap life lil' nigga, you might not live this life I'm talking bout
I live a dangerous life as a drug dealer and you might not want to experience it.
The rap life and trap life, me and you can swap it out
We can exchange our lives, but I doubt you can handle the trap life.
Man I'm tired of selling bricks
I'm getting bored of selling drugs.
Gotta [?] hit licks
I have to make more money by committing crimes.
Can't wait till I sign that deal
I'm looking forward to signing a record deal to make money in a legal way.
The trap life, I'll give it up quick
If I had the opportunity to leave the drug game and make money legally, I would do it.
Listen up, nigga speaking real shit
I'm being honest and telling the truth.
Cause it ain't all what it seems
The drug game is not as glamorous as it may appear.
You can have it all at one time, then end up losing everything
You can make a lot of money in the drug game, but it can all be taken away from you just as quickly.
And I put that shit on my mom
I swear on my mother's life that I'm telling the truth.
Imma make it out of the slums
I'm going to get out of the ghetto and make something of myself.
Imma get [?] in a mansion, in a penthouse, living lavish
I'm going to live in a luxurious mansion or penthouse with all the finest things.
We at the top floor of the condo
We live in a luxurious condo on the top floor.
We ain't never got to worry about the popo
We don't have to worry about the police or getting caught because we have money and influence.
We eating on shrimp and gumbo
We're eating delicious food like shrimp and gumbo.
We smoking on blunts, they jumbo
We're smoking large blunts.
I got J's at the front door
I have expensive Jordan shoes at the front door.
I serve them up with that combo
I sell my drugs with a special combo or deal.
Got birds flying like Dumbo but I keep a 9 like Rondo
I have a lot of drugs (birds) flying in and out but I always carry a gun for protection.
I locked the game, I got the code
I'm in control of the drug game and know all the secrets.
Cash coming fast that pronto
I'm making a lot of money quickly.
Making plays, Tony Romo
I'm making smart moves and being strategic, like the football player Tony Romo.
Two bad bitches, they homo
I have two attractive women who are lesbians together.
Trap game risky but its so easy to flip them fishes
The drug game is dangerous but it's lucrative to sell drugs.
Popeyes, [?] chicken with them biscuits
I like to eat fast food from Popeyes such as their chicken and biscuits.
Fuck an iPhone, trapping off a Tracfone
I don't need an expensive iPhone, I can make drug deals with a cheap Tracfone.
Give the Feds [?], they can't even track the phone
I modify my phone so that the police can't track my activity.
Ride through the city in a coupe [?]
I travel around the city in an expensive sports car.
Overseas with Muhammad [?]
I travel internationally, possibly referencing the prophet Muhammad.
Got a date with the money and the kush is my cologne
I'm meeting with people to make money and I smell like marijuana.
Sippin on lean out 2 styrofoam
I'm drinking codeine mixed with soda out of two styrofoam cups.
I finesse a nigga for that cash in the red zone
I tricked someone out of their money in a high risk situation.
You ain't never ever live the trap life nigga
You've never experienced the dangerous life of drug dealing.
You don't know nothing bout the rap life nigga
You have no knowledge or experience in the world of rap music.
Hell nah I don't want to [?] it out with you
I don't want to argue or fight with you.
Cause you don't even know what you taking bout nigga
You're talking about things you don't understand or have experience with.
I don't know you but I know your [?]
I don't know you personally, but I know people like you.
But a nigga never ever got gwap with you nigga
I've never made money or had success with someone like you.
You ain't got cash, you ain't never ever sold drugs
You don't have any money and have never sold drugs.
You ain't never chop it up with the plug
You've never negotiated with the source or supplier of drugs.
You ain't never roll down 85 with a 100 birds in a Lamborghini truck
You've never driven down Route 85 with 100 kilos of drugs in a Lamborghini truck.
When I'm filthy rich thats when I'll give this trap shit up
I will stop dealing drugs once I become very wealthy.
Contributed by Alice J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.