QUAVO HUNCHO

It was sometime in 2016 when an informal campaign for a Quavo solo project first emerged on social media. The rapper was already the undeniable anchor for Atlanta trio Migos and was then basking in the adulation from a string of moment-making features, including Travis Scott’s “Pick Up The Phone,” YFN Lucci’s “Key To The Streets” and 2 Chainz’s “Good Drank.” Migos would go on to release Culture and double-album Culture II, and Quavo a joint album with Travis Scott, Huncho Jack, all in the span of year—seemingly deading the possibility of (and demand for) a solo record. But Quavo had something up his sleeve the entire time.

Quavo Huncho is the Migos standout inviting fans (along with quite a few friends) into his world. The rapper opens the book on himself, delivering references to unexpected musical influences new and old: on “Flip The Switch” he raps in Juvenile’s classic “Ha” flow, and on “Swing” he gives Afrobeats a go, teaming up Fifth Harmony's Normani and Nigerian singer Davido. Malcolm X’s voice appears on the album (“Fuck 12”), and so does Madonna’s, with the pop giant rapping and singing alongside Cardi B on “Champagne Rose.” A new personal vulnerability is on full display as well: “Huncho Dreams” seems like a response to Nicki Minaj's “Barbie Dreams,” a tongue-in-cheek track about dating several rappers, including Quavo himself. On his reply, Quavo calls out Nicki by name repeatedly and apologizes for hurting her feelings.

In all, Quavo Huncho is a portrait of an artist who couldn’t be more comfortable in his own skin putting it all out there. We asked for Quavo, and we got him.