Culture II the anniversary follow-up to Culture, a Grammy nominated album which skyrocketed their trajectory. Culture had many of my 2017 overall favourites on it; T-Shirt, Slippery and What’s the Price to name a few. Aside from Culture, 2017 also gave us a fluent stream of crossovers, collab projects(Without Warning and Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho) and Quality Control: Control the Streets Volume 1 (Culture II throwaways / feelers).
Culture II comes in at almost double the amount of tracks compared to its predecessor(obviously to manipulate streaming like Chris Brown did). I expect with that this will be a fatty project to listen to. Although, I’m open to be surprised so let me get into these 24 tracks!
1. Higher We Go
Huncho leads the line from the beginning of the track, joined by the bros later on. I’m not really a fan of the strings in the background. This was also stretched out for way too long it could’ve easily been like 2 minutes. When you listen to it tell me when it actually drops, I’m still waiting.
2. Supastars
The first track was a nah, this has to be better. I’ve come into this review with a hyper critical mind-set, the production has to grab me instantly. Overall, a very lukewarm second track, the jingly chime is cool though.
3. Narcos
This sounds different, straight from the jump with the Magnifico!. Offset opens it up followed by a more playful vibe from Quavo. It’s funny hearing them drop random Spanish phrases but still sound 100% American.
4. BBO (Bad Bitches Only) Ft 21 Savage
21 21 21, does he ever change his flow though? it’s one flow on everything I swear. I like how the beat almost cuts out a parts(e.g. 1.53) so you can hear every line. This is the most memorable hook so far probably due to its simple repetition.
5. Auto Pilot (Huncho on the Beat)
Huncho on the Beat(Quavo), now I’m intrigued to how this will sound. Wow, this is so messy man, If you like O.T. Genasis you’ll like what Quavo is trying to pull off here. It’s hot trash in my opinion.
6. Walk It Talk It Ft Drake
With this hook the first thing that comes to mind is “now walk it out” haha. The expectancy following that is Drake must be coming through with something Fuego(Fire).1.43 is when the track wakes up, Drake delivers one of his hardest recent features. I have no idea who he is beefing with now, he must be shadowboxing.
7. Emoji a Chain
Perfect song title for these guys, their jewellery collection is ridiculous(Takeoff’s solar sytem chain). Metro’s dark production on this really does suit Offset’s raw style and the transitions are A1. I would’ve preferred to hear 21 Savage on this opposed to BBO.
8. CC Ft. Gucci Mane
I’ve been fully on a Gucci wave now for a minute now; that El Gato album has some solid hard hitters on it. It’s clear they base a lot of their styles off his original templates.Takeoff and Gucci would make a dope collab project this production compliments them the most.
9. Stir Fry*
Yo!! Offset take a bow man. The way you caught the soulful bounce with the double time flow was perfect. Sound wise think a Hot Boys / NERD hybrid from the magician Skateboard P. This is my favourite song so far only missing a Pharrell verse to put the icing on the cake .
10. Too Much Jewelry
Boy that last song was something else so not sure how this can top that. I really like Zaytoven’s production, the flute and the keys are so chill. It’s the first Takeoff led hook so far with no Offset in sight. It’s a fairly weak song to be honest though.
11. Gang Gang
Takeoff leading the line again coming in after some chilled female backing vocals. This is commercial reach that you expect every signed artist will have. A chilled summer vibe which demonstrates the diversity in the camp. No Offset again, I guess it’s to keep the song length down.
12. White Sand Ft Travis Scott, Ty Dolla $ign and Big Sean
Woo half-way mark reached. Based on the start studded line up this should be the track of the album. It starts great but goes downhill once Big Sean comes in as he slows it down too much.
13. Crown the Kings
This falls in same box as Auto Pilot and Too Much Jewelry probably one you’ll skip over when you listen to it.
14. Flooded
Even before I hear the song I’m going to take a wild guess the track is going repeat flooded x100000 times. Hey more rubbish for the trash can.
15. Beast
Quavo needs to switch-up that deep “eurgh” he does. These are songs that may sound decent on their own but sequentially its extremely jarring.
16. Open It Up
See the below for duplicate song.
17. MotorSport Ft. Nicki Minaj & Cardi B
Can anyone even Cardi B murdered this? like really? The energy between her and Nicki on this is electric. Even with Nicki having longer verse I still think Cardi took it. This song really was one for the C U L T U R E best female back to back for years.
Same lips that be talking bout me is the same lips that be ass kissing – Cardi B
18. Movin’ Too Fast
The format of these type of songs is getting boring. It’s have one person lead the hook / do a verse then two more verses.
19. Work Hard
I like how they push work ethic on this song. There is no way you can question the work ethic of the Migos, they are relentless.
20. Notice Me Ft Post Malone
I’ve been sleeping on Post Malone I need to go back to his Stoney album and digest it properly. As much as I like the Latin / R&B vibe it sounds slightly out of place. I think Quavo was the only one to really pull it off to a decent level.
21. Too Playa Ft. 2 Chainz*
This is fire though wow, the saxophone and the keys are out of here. The Post Malone song came and switched up the vibe at the perfect time. It’s the strongest hook Quavo has done on the whole album. Very well constructed song in every sense, no complaints.
22. Made Men*
This best give Takeoff the credit he deserves. Why did they have to fill the project with the other crap and have this real rap so far down!. You can feel the family closeness on this is uplifting anthem. Back to back bangers so far, strong close out.
23. Top Down on da NAWF
A relaxed cruise track think midnight ride on the motorway with no traffic. The outro breakdown Quvao does towards the end is soo wavy.
24. Culture National Anthem (Outro)
What a close out, this was an experience a long one but a good experience all the same.
It’s always hard for artists to follow-up with great back to back projects. Culture was such a trendsetting album I feel like the success made them over do it with the follow-up.
The best moments of this album come at such random points in the midst of crap its irritating. I can only assume its because; more tracks = more streams for the album meaning quicker to Gold, Platinum etc. due to the way stream/sales conversion works. I would be very surprised if people listen to this top to bottom(like I did) and for that reason this wont get nominated for a Grammy. 14 tracks was perfect for Culture so why not follow the same suit?
Aside from my problems with the Quality Control I was really impressed with how Takeoff stood out at points(Gang Gang and Made Men). He has to do a collab project with someone in 2018 to allow the Destiny’s Child dynamic to really develop.
Top 3 Tracks: Too Playa, Made Men, Stir Fry
Rating: 7.8/10
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