Rocket Power

It’s extremely fitting that the first feature on Quavo’s second solo project comes from his tragically departed Migos bandmate and nephew Takeoff. The two had an inseparable bond, from their work alongside Offset as the Atlanta trio to their debut collaborative LP, 2022’s *Only Built for Infinity Links*. That album was supposed to be the beginning of a triumphant new era, instead becoming a relic of their working relationship. Takeoff was killed less than a month after the project was released. So, after an exhilarating, epic intro titled “Fueled Up” in which Quavo declares, “I gotta go off for Take,” he brings Takeoff himself into the fold, setting the stage for the emotionally charged LP with the deliriously playful, horn-led “Patty Cake.” The album moves from mournful to celebratory, honoring Takeoff’s life while still relishing how far Quavo and everyone in his crew have come since the early days of Migos. On “Where Can I Start,” he reflects on his band’s origin story over a crisp, flute-laden beat, while still offering up the sort of triplet-flow one-liners that made him a superstar in the first place. “They call me unc’ (Why?)/They call me unc’ ’cause my money so old,” he spits. Quavo does a remarkable job of paying tribute to his departed nephew, honoring his memory in a proper way, while still celebrating the perseverance it takes to succeed in this industry—especially as your world crumbles around you. There are moments of hard-earned defiant joy on the album, which are all the more powerful when placed next to bars about Takeoff. On the penultimate track “Rocket Power,” Quavo illustrates the deftness of his pen in a single stanza, pouring some out for those no longer with us while gearing up for the next chapters. “Thinkin’ ’bout my nephew while I\'m rollin’ some trees, Mama said she cryin’ and she cryin’ in her sleep,” he raps, before concluding, “Yeah, that’s mama rocket, and she strong as can be.”