With a pair of chart-topping
Migos albums and a handful of Top Ten singles as a solo artist,
Quavo seized the moment and became the first
Migos member to release an official album with
Quavo Huncho. Following 2017's collaboration with
Travis Scott,
Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho,
Quavo Huncho finds the titular rapper roaming familiar pop-friendly trap territory with a crew of high-profile guests such as
Drake,
Saweetie, and
Lil Baby, with some delivering more effective use of their time than others. Layered with sufficiently ominous trap beats provided by Cubeatz,
Murda Beatz, Buddah Bless, and more, there aren't many sonic surprises here. Of the highlights,
21 Savage ("Pass Out") rides a hypnotic Buddah Bless beat while
Travis Scott elevates the mood with "Rerun," a rousing selection from those
Huncho Jack sessions.
Migos brethren
Takeoff and
Offset join
Quavo for "Keep That Shit" and "Fuck 12," respectively. The latter entry makes powerful use of a
Malcolm X recording and audio footage from a Ferguson "Hands up, don't shoot" chant, shining light on racial identity issues and police brutality in America. Elsewhere, the poppiest entries energize the superior second half.
Pharrell Williams delivers a typically electrifying track, "Go All the Way," while
Fifth Harmony's
Normani and Nigerian singer
Davido bring
Quavo to the dancehall with the lively "Swing." The most surprising guest is unveiled halfway through, as
Madonna gifts
Quavo with a detached, Auto-Tuned performance on the seductive "Champagne Rose," which also features
Cardi B. Designed for high streaming counts,
Quavo Huncho could use some trimming, but otherwise, it's enjoyable enough to tide fans over until the next
Migos album. ~ Neil Z. Yeung