"Straightenin" is a song by American hip hop trio Migos. It was released through Quality Control and Motown on May 14, 2021, as the second single from their fourth studio album, Culture III.[1] Straightenin was the Migos last single to be released before the death of their member Takeoff the next year in 2022.

"Straightenin"
Single by Migos
from the album Culture III
ReleasedMay 14, 2021 (2021-05-14)
Length4:16
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • DJ Durel
  • Atake
  • Sluzyyy
  • Slime Castro
  • Nuki
  • Osiris
Migos singles chronology
"Need It"
(2020)
"Straightenin"
(2021)
Music video
"Straightenin" on YouTube

Background

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In March 2021, Quavo previewed the song's music video on social media.[2] The track and the accompanying video were released on May 14, 2021 with an announcement of the album Culture III.[3]

Hong Kong rapper and producer Big Spoon accused Migos of copying his 2020 song "Magic Show 魔術表演", which he compared to "Straightenin" in an Instagram video, saying, "I composed and produced the song by myself, did all the rapping, and played all the instruments so there are no samples or loops taken from elsewhere. I tweaked their song to the same tempo and key for comparison."[4]

Composition

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The song features "triplet flows and ad libs" quickly rapped over "booming bass, crisp percussion and a woozy synth line".[5] Quavo mentions acting alongside Robert De Niro in the 2022 film Savage Salvation ("I'm counting dineros with Robert DeNiro / He telling 'em that Cho amazing"), and also raps, "Turn a pandemic into a bandemic / You know that's the shit that we on".[3][5] Takeoff then raps, before Offset raps the third verse with a "silky flow talking about his days spinning the block."[6]

Critical reception

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Althea Legaspi of Rolling Stone described the song as "classic Migos".[5]

Music video

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The official music video for "Straightening" premiered along with the song on May 14, 2021. It was directed by Keemotion.[7] The Migos are joined by friends and expensive items, such as luxury cars and vehicles.[8]

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[9]

  • Migos
    • Quavo – vocals, songwriting
    • Takeoff – vocals, songwriting
    • Offset – vocals, songwriting
  • DJ Durel – production, songwriting, programming
  • Atake – production, songwriting, programming
  • Sluzyyy – production, songwriting, programming
  • Slime Castro – production, songwriting, programming
  • Nuki – production, songwriting, programming
  • Osiris – production, songwriting, programming
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing, studio personnel
  • Chris Galland – mixing, studio personnel
  • Jeremie Inhaber – assistant mixing, studio personnel

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Straightenin"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[19] Gold 20,000
United States (RIAA)[20] Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Billboard Staff (May 14, 2021). "Migos Are Back with 'Culture III' Single 'Straightenin': Watch The Video". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  2. ^ Moorwood, Victoria (2021-03-30). "Migos preview unreleased song ahead of 'Culture III'". Revolt. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  3. ^ a b Triscari, Caleb (2021-05-14). "Migos drop video for new 'Culture III' single 'Straightenin'". NME. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  4. ^ Li, Nicolaus (2021-06-01). "Rapper-Producer Claims That Migos "Straightenin" Copied His Track". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  5. ^ a b c Legaspi, Althea (2021-05-14). "Migos Drop New Song 'Straightenin'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  6. ^ Saponara, Michael (2021-05-14). "Migos Make Comeback Complete With 'Straightenin' Video". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  7. ^ Bloom, Madison (May 14, 2021). "Migos Share New Song "Straightenin": Watch the Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  8. ^ Triscari, Caleb (May 14, 2021). "Migos drop video for new 'Culture III' single 'Straightenin'". NME. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  9. ^ "Credits / Straightenin / Migos - TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  10. ^ "Migos Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  11. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  12. ^ "Migos – Straightenin". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  13. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  14. ^ "Migos Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  15. ^ "Migos Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  16. ^ "Migos Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  17. ^ "Top 100 Popular Songs". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2021-06-03. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  18. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  19. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Migos – Straightenin" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  20. ^ "American single certifications – Migos – Straightenin". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 15, 2022.