Quavo

Along with bringing trap to the masses as one-third of Migos, rapper/producer Quavo brings his triplet flows and personalized style to his solo releases and a multitude of other artists’ tracks as a featured guest. His 2018 solo album Quavo Huncho rose to the number two spot on the Billboard charts, and he appeared as a guest on several songs that did time in the Top Ten, including hits from Drake, Justin Bieber, and Post Malone. Quavo frequently releases new material in the form of non-album singles, and in 2022, he teamed with Migos affiliate Takeoff for a joint album, Only Built for Infinity Links, which also cracked the Top Ten. Shortly after the release, Takeoff was shot and killed, and Quavo dedicated his 2023 sophomore album Rocket Power to his departed collaborator. Rocket Power also rose to the higher reaches of the Billboard charts, debuting within the Top 20. Quavo was born Quavious Marshall in 1991 and grew up in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Alongside Offset (his cousin) and Takeoff (his nephew), he helped form Migos in 2009 and they released their first mixtapes, Juug Season in 2011 and No Label in 2012. (No Label went on to receive a sequel in 2014.) However, it wasn’t until the release of the track “Versace” from their 2013 mixtape, Young Rich N*ggas, that they came to full prominence. The song was a breakout hit, receiving further exposure when Drake produced a remix. In 2014, Quavo was named “most influential rapper” by the online hip-hop community Complex Music. In subsequent years, he appeared on further releases with Migos, most notably their full-length albums Yung Rich Nation (2015) and C U L T U R E (2017). He also appeared on tracks like “Champions” for Kanye West’s GOOD Music label and performed alongside Young Thug on 2016′s “Fuck Cancer,” and on 2017′s “Go Off” with Travis Scott and Lil Uzi Vert for the Fate of the Furious movie soundtrack. Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho, a collaborative project with Travis Scott, was also released in 2017. The following year, Quavo released a series of solo singles, including “Workin Me” and “Bubble Gum.” Those tracks found their way onto his official solo debut, Quavo Huncho, which arrived in October 2018. The album featured guests such as Drake, Travis Scott, Kid Cudi, 21 Savage, Offset, Takeoff, and even Madonna. Quavo continued adding flare to other artists’ singles with featured verses over the next few years, appearing on tracks by E-40, Don Toliver, Iggy Azalea, Major Lazer, 2 Chainz, and many others. In 2018, Quavo was featured on DJ Khaled’s “No Brainer,” which peaked at number five on the charts, and in 2020 he was featured on another track that hit that mark with his contributions to Justin Bieber’s single “Intentions.” He also issued several singles of his own, including the 2021 song “Strub Tha Ground,” featuring Yung Miami. In May of 2022, Quavo teamed up with Takeoff, Unc, and Phew on “Hotel Lobby,” the first single to precede the joint Quavo/Takeoff studio album Only Built for Infinity Links. The album was released in October of that year and featured a who’s-who of guest stars including Summer Walker, Gucci Mane, Young Thug, Gunna, and more. Only Built for Infinity Links debuted at number seven position on the Billboard Top 200 chart. On November 1, Takeoff was shot and killed outside of a Houston club following a private party. Quavo was witness to his nephew’s shooting, though he was uninjured. Throughout the front half of 2023, he focused his attention on a barrage of non-album solo singles, like “Baby” and “Honey Bun,” before teaming up with Future for “Turn Yo Clic Up.” In August of 2023, Quavo released his second studio set, Rocket Power, which was dedicated to Takeoff and featured verses from him on multiple tracks. It also included contributions from Future, Young Thug, BabyDrill, and Hunxho, with production from Murda Beatz, Kenny Beats, Bnyx, and many others. Rocket Power (the title of the album itself is a reference to Takeoff) debuted at the number 18 position on the Billboard charts. A pair of collaborations with ATL Jacob and BU$HI kicked off 2024, followed by the solo track “Himothy.” In March, Quavo teamed up with Rich the Kid for “Real One.” ~ Rob Wacey