10 Things We Learned From Quavo's Debut Solo Album 'Quavo Huncho'

Quavo made his debut as a solo artist with the release of 'Quavo Huncho.' With 19 tracks and 12 features, there's a lot to get through. Here's what we learned

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Fans have been asking for solo projects from each member of the Migos for years, and with the release of Quavo's Quavo Huncho, the time has finally arrived. With 19 songs and a long list of features from artists like Drake, Travis Scott, Cardi B, Kid Cudi, 21 Savage, and Madonna, there’s a lot to process on this album. Here’s everything we learned from Quavo’s solo debut:

Quality Control Can't Stop Making Long Albums

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Tay Keith Has Range

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Memphis producer Tay Keith has had a hell of a year. Going four for four with Drake on hits like “Nonstop” and “Look Alive,” he emerged as one of the most exciting new producers of 2018. The only knock on him so far has been that his bass-heavy beats all rely on a similar sound. That changes on Quavo Huncho. On “Shine,” the 22-year-old producer switches things up as he lays airy synths under Quavo’s melodic rhymes. The song hits just as hard as some of his best moments with Drake, but it proves Tay Keith can succeed with a different formula, too. Looks like his 2018 run wasn’t a fluke and we’ll be hearing that “Tay Keith, fuck these n****s up!” drop well into the new year. —Eric Skelton

Drake May Have Taken Shots at Pusha-T (or Kanye) on "Flip The Switch"

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Quavo and 21 Savage Make a Great Duo

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The Beats Knock

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The best part of Quavo Huncho is undoubtedly the production. The one hour-plus runtime is made bearable thanks to the talent that worked with Quavo behind the boards. On his first official solo project, Quavo's myriad producers stand in for the group he’s made a name with. One of his most frequent collaborators on the album is Buddah Bless, who laced him with beats for previously released singles “Lamb Talk” and “Bubble Gum,” as well as album cuts “Pass Out” and “Give It To Em.” The latter two are some of the strongest tracks on the record overall. 

“Champagne Rosé” is saved from an odd Madonna appearance (more on that later) because of how hard the beat goes, period. Murda Beatz, Sool Got Hits, and Quavo should pat themselves on the back for pulling that one off. Speaking of Murda Beatz, he and G Coop helped Huncho switch things up with “Swing,” a radio-friendly track featuring Normani and Davido that will probably be a single in the near future.

Quavo kept his sound incredibly varied with this album as a whole, thanks to a long list of producers that includes names we’re familiar with (Pharrell Williams, Tay Keith, Wondagurl, Cubeatz, Dun Deal), and many we’re getting to know better (30 Roc, Nasir Moore, Wheezy, OG Parker, Romano, Earl The Pearll, Jaded, Vance, Ikaz Boi, Chriz Beatz, Joseph Davinci, Smith Bros., Mike Almighty). —Kiana Fitzgerald

Madonna's Feature Is Not It

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Quavo Helps Bring the "Ha" Flow Back

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Last year, Kendrick Lamar briefly brought back Juvenile’s iconic “Ha” flow on Damn’s “Element.” His frenetic approach matched Juve’s initial delivery, and his dedication to the style was a welcome throwback. In June, Kanye jumped aboard the “Ha” train with “Yikes.” Now, on “Flip the Switch,” Quavo takes up the cause and keeps that same energy. Like Juvenile, Huncho rhymes about the hollow life of a wannabe big-time hustler. But, like he is wont to do, Quavo manages to take his own detour. He raps coolly, as opposed to frantically, staying true to his own sound. The humongous Drake feature nearly overshadows the “Ha” homage—but if you know, you know. Quavo gets bonus points for also interpolating Juve’s Cash Money labelmates the Big Tymers’ “Get Your Roll On.” Mannie Fresh, one-half of the Big Tymers, produced “Ha.” —Kiana Fitzgerald

Kid Cudi's Strong 2018 Continues

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Quavo's Potential as a Solo Artist Might Not Live Up to the Hype

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From hooks to guest verses to his undercooked joint album with Travis Scott, we’ve heard a lot of Quavo sans Migos in the last 18 months. While there have been highs in that period—like his appearance on ASAP Mob’s “RAF” or this record’s “How Bout That?”—we’ve also seen Quavo’s solo formula stretch pretty thin. His subject matter is often limited, and he doesn’t seem to have much interest in rendering his trap tales or flexes in inventive ways.

The stasis he’s found has grown stale, and Quavo Huncho has many repetitive moments. On the best Migos tracks, Quavo’s melodicism is an ideal complement to the rapid-fire flows of the other two members, but when left on his own, Quavo doesn’t display the same passion and energy in his verses. We’re slated to get solo projects from Takeoff and Offset in the near future, which very well could hold up better than Quavo Huncho, but hopefully the trio will get back to their old ways afterwards. —Grant Rindner

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