Migos are basically everywhere these days, but how well do you know the “Bad and Boujee” trio? We dug up a bunch of facts about the Atlanta rap group from every corner of the internet so you don’t have to. We uncovered everything from the meaning of Migos, to Migos’ real names, to how Quavo, Takeoff and Offset are related and much more. Ahead of their upcoming Culture 2 album, dig into everything you’ve ever wanted to know about them below and level up on your trivia.
What does Migos mean?
In addition to being a shortened version of the Spanish word for friend (”amigos”), “migos” is a term for an abandoned house used as a trap house where drugs are made and sold, a nod to the sort of things the trio witnessed growing up.
What are Migos’ real names?
Quavo’s real name is the closest to his moniker compared to the other two members - Quavious Keyate Marshall. Takeoff’s real name is Kirshnik Khari Ball, while Offset is also known as Kiari Kendrell Cephus.
Are Migos related?
Yes. The three members are all related and were raised together by Quavo’s mother in Lawrenceville, Georgia in the Atlanta suburbs. Quavo is Takeoff's uncle, and Offset and Quavo are cousins.
When did Migos form?
Quavo, Takeoff, and Offset first formed as rap group called Polo Club in 2009. Their first mixtape Juug Season was released in August 2011.
In their early days, Migos literally lived at their studio.
In a Rolling Stone profile about the group, co-founder of Migos’ label “Pee” Thomas recalls the intense dedication of Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff to their craft: "The music was crazy," Pee recalls, "but what made me really wanna go hard for them is that they packed all their clothes and moved into the studio – literally lived there, sleeping on reclining chairs and making music all day."
Migos were signed to G.O.O.D. Music for a hot sec.
In September 2016, Pusha T announced that the trio signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music Management. However, in an interview with Sway back in January of this year, Quavo cleared up that while there were talks of a management deal, nothing was ever worked out between the group and G.O.O.D.
Quavo and Offset used to play football.
Another interesting fact from the Rolling Stone profile:
“Offset and Quavo played football at Berkmar High School; the latter earned a starting quarterback gig, but Offset, a wide receiver, had a self-sabotaging temper. "I got kicked out of all Gwinnett schools 'cause I got in a fight, and I had to go to military school," he says. When he returned, he got into a spat with the coach and quit the team in a rage. "I was tripping, going in the streets, doing dumb little ignorant shit," he says. "That was my wild stage."”
Quavo almost rapped about Bernie Sanders.
Yet another choice factoid from that legendary Rolling Stone profile written by Jonah Weiner back in February:
“During the primaries, Quavo recorded a lyric in praise of his preferred candidate. It went something like, "Jump jump, I don't fuck with Donald Trump/I feel the Bern, feel the Bern – Bernie Sanders!" Quavo explains his support: "Bernie was in the trenches back in the day, really in the streets." Before the song came out, though, Hillary Clinton clinched the nomination and Quavo, disappointed, scrapped the line.”
Migos guest-starred on Donald Glover’s Atlanta.
In 2016, Migos starred as themselves on Donald Glover’s hit TV series Atlanta, with Quavo taking on a scene stealing speaking role in a scene with main characters Paper Boi and Darius.
Quavo was obsessed with The National Geographic Channel as a child.
Again from that Rolling Stone profile:
"I used to cuss this n****a ass out 'cause he'd come into the room at 10:00 and wanted to watch the whales and the motherfucking ocean," Offset recalled.
Who are Migos’ favorite rappers?
As per a video interview with Migos and Lil Yachty presented by NME back in June, Takeoff’s favorite rapper is Kendrick Lamar, Offset is a huge fan of 3k aka André 3000, and Quavo thinks JAY-Z is “the greatest rapper right now.”
The iconic trio was temporarily a duo…
Migos briefly performed as a duo while Offset was in jail for eight months in 2015, the result of a raid on their tour bus after a universty show.
Quavo has a crush on Nicki Minaj.
In a video with Complex a few years back, Quavo revealed his celebrity crush is Nicki Minaj, explaining, "I feel like she hood. She look like she can control somebody. I don't like my girls chasing me and stuff like that. I like to be the dog."
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Migos have some of the rap game’s wildest chains.
Quavo has chains featuring two of his favorite characters, Remy from Ratatouille and Star Wars’ Yoda.
Takeoff has a chain that’s simply out of this world.
Offset’s raindrop chain is a nod Migos’ hit song “Bad and Boujee.”
For more significant moments in contemporary hip-hop, read our brief history of Gucci Mane right here.
