As they prep for the release of Culture II, Migos is ready to win a Best Rap Album Grammy for the 2017 original.
Speaking with Beats 1, the trio of Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff said that they are deserving of the title over JAY-Z (4:44), Kendrick Lamar (DAMN.), Rapsody (Laila’s Wisdom), and Tyler, the Creator (Flower Boy).
“Everybody dropped albums but the way everything fell into place, we made ourselves household names,” said Quavo. “We put too much extras around the album that involved the album to make it a bigger platform. You could just drop an album and keep it pushing but we worked the album.”
Despite thinking they’re frontrunners, Quavo said he feels like his stiffest competition comes from JAY-Z and Kendrick Lamar. “JAY-Z’s album is the OG speaking game, soaking the knowledge from the youth and trickling down, to let them know how to run companies like bosses,” he explained. “Kendrick come in and talk about what’s going on in the world and making it sound good in the clubs. That’s the albums I think we’re competing against. Those two big dogs right there.”
Culture II is set to feature “MotorSport,” the blazing Hot 100 single that features rumored rivals Cardi B and Nicki Minaj. The two women appeared in the video for the song, but never in the same scene. When host Ebro Darden called that a “missed opportunity,” Quavo revealed that it was not for lack of trying. “They played themselves,” he explained. “We tried to create that moment.” Later, he added: “I feel like that record is still a moment, just the record alone. Hearing both of them on one song go at it.” Offset, who is dating Cardi B, concurred: “We made a moment for hip-hop again.”
Elsewhere during the interview, Quavo revealed that he plans on producing Takeoff’s solo album and that he wants the group to go on tour with Travis Scott and 21 Savage some day. They also revealed that there is no animosity with Joe Budden despite their past slights. Culture II is due Jan. 26, just two days before the Grammys.