At first glance, Culture III, the latest 19-track offering from superstar rap group Migos, appears to be another overlong playlist disguised as a studio album, much like their underwhelming 2018 release Culture II.
Quavo, the oldest of the three, owns the facilitator position; like a quarterback, he gives each record motion, movement, and keeps the group centered.
The same can be said about “Vaccine,” where he rhymes with an effortless zeal across the Buddah Bless exquisite sampling of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, but that’s also the song where Offset blacks out with one of his most memorable performances.
Then there’s Quavo’s contagious melodies on “Picasso” and his infectious swagger on the intro, “Avalanche.” No matter the track, each record runs an offense that requires the three men.
Culture III is about sticking together, playing to their strengths, and making sure the listener knows: Migos aren’t hurt, they aren’t tired, they’re young, they’re rich, they’re up.
This is music for the return of festivals, the return of freaknik, the return of the fun, everything missed indoors last year.