I had little reason to expect quality from the first solo project by rapper Offset who is one third of the popular rap group, Migos.
Known for songs like “Wishy Washy,” “Versace” and their smash hit “Bad and Boujee,” Migos brand of flows, sound and Atlanta influence has played a large part of shaping rap music into what it is today.
That same influence and creativity has not shown through any of the other members solo projects. Quavo’s recent album “Quavo Huncho” was defined by a lack of ideas that would leave some songs feeling unfinished. Takeoff’s “The Last Rocket” had complete songs, but those complete songs proved redundant. The album lacked any semblance of variety.
I assumed Offset’s album “Father of 4” to meet a similar fate and the hilariously awful photoshop job that is the album cover didn’t lend itself to any good faith.
To my surprise, the album starts off strong with the title track as the opener. With an admirable opener from Big Rube and an emotional performance about Offset’s children, this track is one of the best that any of the Migos members has ever made.
Combined with the appreciative claim to fame on “How Did I Get Here” with J. Cole and the soothing pan flute of “Lick,” this album was prepping up to be on a whole other level in comparison to the rest of the Migos’ efforts.
This would prove to not last as a particularly fantastic feature spot from Cee Lo Green becomes the only thing truly worth discussing for the rest of the 40 minutes of runtime on this album.
Offset, along with his fellow Migos’ members, prove on tracks like “Underrated” or “Don’t Lose Me” that they struggle to hold entire songs on their own. The other features also do not fare well. Both Travis Scott and 21 Savage, despite releasing their best albums and work to date with “ASTROWORLD” and “I am > I Was” respectively, phone-in their efforts here.
Cardi B makes an appearance on the song “Clout” with a verse centered entirely on the media’s portrayal of her which was likely motivated by the criticism thrown at her for taking Offset back after cheating scandals. The verse ends up reading far more insecure than strong and continues to show that Cardi could be on the decline quality wise from her excellent debut album.
An introspective track like “Red Room” shows one last glimpse of quality before “Father of 4” peters out and ends on an unsatisfying note.
Without keeping up the momentum of its good start, the album divulges into the worst tropes and usual topics that the group has long run into the ground. Even if one does not care about lyrical content, the beats and instrumentals aren’t nearly strong enough to make the quality bangers that we expect from a Migos track.
I do not believe that “Father of 4” does anything to warrant a listen, let alone a recommendation. Other than a few good tracks in the beginning, all it has accomplished is that it officially confirms none of the three Migos are worth investing in as solo artists.
