Introduction to Migos and their musical success
Migos is an American hip hop trio from Lawrenceville, Georgia that consists of rappers Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff. The group first rose to prominence in 2013 with the release of their hit single "Versace", which peaked at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Migos’ commercial breakthrough came in 2016 when their smash hit "Bad and Boujee" featuring Lil Uzi Vert reached number one on the Billboard charts. The infectious track helped propel their second studio album Culture to the top of the charts as well, cementing Migos as one of the most influential hip hop groups at the time.
Culture spawned several other hit singles for Migos including "T-Shirt" and "Slippery" featuring Gucci Mane. But the trio from Lawrenceville had been honing their craft long before that, developing their signature triplet flow and trap-influenced sound.
After years of grinding on the mixtape circuit, Migos began garnering more mainstream attention with their 2013 mixtape Y.R.N. (Young Rich Niggas) and its popular single "Versace". While they had previously released mixtapes as early as 2011, it was Y.R.N. that showcased the raw talent and star potential of the young trio, setting the stage for their later success.
Overview of "Stir Fry"
"Stir Fry" was released in December 2017 as the lead single from Migos’ highly anticipated album Culture II. Coming off the massive success of their previous album Culture, Migos was looking to continue their hot streak with another potential hit song. They enlisted super producer Pharrell Williams to craft the beat for "Stir Fry," aiming for a fun, catchy track that played to their strengths as a group.
Pharrell’s production provides a lively, upbeat foundation for Migos to shine. Released in late 2017, "Stir Fry" quickly shot up the charts, debuting at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. It signaled that Culture II would likely match and possibly surpass the popularity of the first Culture album. "Stir Fry" showcases Migos’ signature fast-paced triplet flow and clever lyricism over Pharrell’s vibrant, pop-leaning production. With its cooking and food-inspired lyrics and melodic hook, "Stir Fry" encapsulated the playful, boisterous Migos sound that fans couldn’t get enough of. As a lead single, it generated substantial buzz and set high expectations for the Culture II album to come.
Lyrical Analysis of "Stir Fry"
"Stir Fry" showcases Migos’ signature flow and clever wordplay through lyrics that are packed with food references and double meanings. The song’s hook repeats the line "Trappin’ like the ’80s, whip it like a stir fry." This references the process of cooking up crack cocaine in the 1980s, comparing it to quickly mixing ingredients in a wok when making a stir fry dish.
Throughout the verses, Migos use stir fry as a metaphor for making hit music. Quavo raps about being a "chef" who’s "in the kitchen whippin’ like a stir fry" – equating cooking skills with musical talent. When he says "grab the rice, grab the shrimp, throw it on the skillet" it paints a vivid picture of ingredients being combined.
There are also boasts about Migos’ wealth and status through food-related bars like "Got the lamb rack with the sheep guts" and "I made a million off of cheddar, now I’m buying cheeses." While stir fry dishes are cheap and simple, the lyrics juxtapose that with the lavish lifestyle Migos rap about.
Some lyrics touch on the group’s global influences too, with references to "teriyaki" and "sweet and sour sauce." But these Asian cultural nods have drawn criticism from some as being examples of appropriation without proper context.
Overall, "Stir Fry" showcases Migos’ signature flow and wordplay through clever lyrics packed with double entendres. The food and cooking references reinforce the central conceit of the song title and create a feast of crafty wordplay.
Music Video for "Stir Fry"
The music video for "Stir Fry" was directed by Sing J Lee and Quavo and released in February 2018. It features Migos working in a bustling Chinese restaurant kitchen, doubling down on the cooking and food references made in the song’s lyrics.
We see the trio diligently making stir fry dishes as chefs, donning white aprons and hats. The fast-paced editing cuts between shots of Migos cooking up a storm, dancing, and enjoying the food they’ve prepared. At one point, Pharrell Williams even makes a cameo appearance as a customer waiting for his order at the counter.
The music video’s vibrant aesthetics play into the song’s themes, with bright lighting, bold colors, and Chinese lanterns throughout the set. The choreography is energetic, matching the rapid fire triplet flow Migos delivers on the track. Visually, the music video translates the infectious spirit of "Stir Fry" through the lens of a kitchen where the trio are the head chefs.
Chart Performance of "Stir Fry"
"Stir Fry" made an impressive debut on the charts when it was released as a single in late 2017. The song entered at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Migos another top 10 hit. This marked their second top 10 single, following the massive success of "Bad and Boujee" earlier that year.
The song’s debut position was driven largely by streaming numbers. In its first week, "Stir Fry" racked up over 14.1 million streams in the US alone. It ended up spending a total of 20 weeks on the Hot 100 chart. While it didn’t quite match the longevity of "Bad and Boujee," which remained on the chart for 35 weeks, "Stir Fry" still demonstrated Migos’ ability to consistently deliver catchy, viral hits.
By April 2018, the track was certified platinum by the RIAA with over 1 million units sold. It also went platinum in Canada and gold in Australia. On Spotify, "Stir Fry" has over 330 million streams as of 2022. Its music video has earned over 160 million YouTube views as well, showcasing the song’s popularity across streaming platforms.
The song’s immediate success was a testament to the anticipation for Culture II, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. "Stir Fry" primed listeners for what was to come on the new album and built further excitement around Migos’ music. Even years later, it remains one of the group’s most instantly recognizable tracks.
How "Stir Fry" Inspired Recipes and Dishes
Migos’ hit "Stir Fry" not only soared up the charts, but also inspired fans and home cooks to create their own Migos-themed stir fry dishes. The song’s constant food and cooking references lent itself perfectly to culinary creativity.
Shortly after the song’s release, fans began sharing their own original "Stir Fry" recipes on blogs, YouTube, and social media. These recipes aimed to bring the lyrics of the song to life in the kitchen. Fans got creative with ingredients that matched Migos’ rhymes, like "teriyaki chicken" and "broccoli."
Some of the most popular fan-created recipes based on "Stir Fry" included:
- Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry with Broccoli and Red Bell Peppers
- Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry with Garlic and Ginger
- Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry with Sesame Oil and Soy Sauce
Food bloggers put their unique spin on Migos-inspired stir fries, experimenting with different proteins, vegetables, and seasonings. The recipes reflected specific lyric references, with one calling for "sesame oil" and another using "soy sauce" as the sauce base.
Beyond individual fans, Migos’ song even inspired special menu items at restaurants. Several Chinese food restaurants created limited-time "Migos Stir Fry" dishes in late 2017 and 2018. These allowed customers to taste hip hop-influenced stir fries, often topped with orange chicken or shrimp with Migos song titles printed on the menu.
Through homemade recipes and restaurant specials, the legacy of "Stir Fry" lived on in kitchens and woks everywhere. Migos’ music motivated home cooks and chefs to put their own spin on stir fry while paying tribute to the catchy hit song.
Cultural Impact and Legacy of "Stir Fry"
"Stir Fry" had a significant cultural impact that can still be felt today, years after its initial release in late 2017. The song exemplifies Migos’ influence on hip hop, fashion, and pop culture as a whole. Even if you’re not a Migos fan, you’ve likely heard some of the song’s most popular lyrics and quotable lines.
Phrases like "whip it like stir fry" and "cooking up dope in the crockpot" are still widely referenced and quoted, showing how they’ve become ingrained in hip hop vernacular. The song is also remembered for its catchy triplet flow and hook, with many fans able to sing or rap along with ease even now.
Beyond just Migos fans, "Stir Fry" also drew interest from internet foodies and home cooks. As mentioned earlier, fans began developing their own recipes and dishes inspired by the lyrics. Some restaurants even added limited time "Migos Stir Fry" menu items to capitalize on the song’s popularity. These examples speak to how "Stir Fry" permeated culture and influenced what people were interested in and talking about.
Years later, "Stir Fry" is still frequently mentioned as one of Migos’ best and most iconic tracks. Its popularity endures on streaming platforms as new generations of listeners discover it. Overall, the song has demonstrated remarkable staying power as a viral cultural moment that helped propel Migos to new heights of fame. It serves as a snapshot of their talent and charisma at the peak of their powers.
Migos’ Influence
Migos have had an undeniable influence on hip hop culture and music over the past decade. The Atlanta-based trio of Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff first emerged in the early 2010s, bringing their unique style of rapping in triplets over trap beats to the forefront. Their chart-topping hits popularized what became known as the "Migos flow," a style that many rappers after them have imitated and drawn inspiration from. Beyond just their musical style, Migos’ fashion sense, slang, and persona also impacted hip hop culture.
The release of their smash hit "Versace" in 2013 really propelled Migos into the mainstream, proving they had pop appeal beyond just rap fans. However, it was their second studio album Culture in 2017 that cemented their status as superstars. Culture contained massive hits like "Bad and Boujee" and "T-Shirt" that highlighted their infectious flows and memorable hooks. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, making Migos one of the most popular rap groups at the time. Their highly anticipated follow up Culture II contained the single "Stir Fry," showcasing that two years later, Migos were still at the top of their game.
Throughout their career, Migos have collaborated with many other top artists in hip hop, including Drake, Cardi B, Travis Scott, and Nicki Minaj. These collaborations exposed Migos’ style to wider audiences, as their guest verses often became the most catchy parts of songs. By contributing their signature Migos flow to other hits, their influence seeped into mainstream rap and pop music. Nearly every up-and-coming rapper cites Migos as an inspiration, from Lil Yachty to Lil Uzi Vert. Their unique vocal style and ad-lib heavy delivery has shaped hip hop in their image. Even beyond rap, Migos have inspired pop artists like Katy Perry to dabble in their triplet flow. There’s no denying that Migos reshaped hip hop for the 2010s and will leave a lasting impact for years to come.
Other Notable Hits
Migos have a number of other major hits that showcased their signature style and helped cement their status as hip hop superstars.
One of their biggest breakthrough hits was 2016’s "Bad and Boujee" featuring Lil Uzi Vert. The track reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, went quadruple platinum, and helped introduce Migos to the mainstream. It featured the group’s trademark triplets flow over a trap beat and included many instantly iconic quotable lyrics.
2017’s "MotorSport" was another huge hit for Migos. The high-energy track featured Nicki Minaj and Cardi B and peaked at number 6 on the Hot 100. It was acclaimed for showcasing three of rap’s biggest stars at the time over a hard-hitting Mike WiLL Made-It beat. The song’s music video was also a viral moment, featuring footage of the trio racing customized cars.
These and other smash hits like "Slippery," "Walk It Talk It," and "Stir Fry" showcased Migos’ talent for crafting catchy hooks and anthemic choruses. Their ability to blend clever wordplay with infectious flows is a key part of their lasting influence and success.
Conclusion
"Stir Fry" stands as one of Migos’ biggest and most iconic hits off their massively successful Culture II album. The song showcases the group’s signature triplet flow and clever wordplay through lyrics that use cooking and food as creative metaphors. Since its release, "Stir Fry" has become a fan favorite with its catchy beat, quotable lines, and overall fun vibe. Beyond being a chart-topping single, it inspired viral dances, recipes, and further cemented Migos’ status as hip hop innovators.
Years later, the legacy of "Stir Fry" is still felt through its enduring popularity and influence. The song represents a definitive moment in Migos’ career that exemplifies their cultural impact. Its lyrics and Pharrell-produced beat epitomize the Migos style that helped shape modern trap music. For both longtime fans and newcomers to their music, "Stir Fry" encapsulates the creativity, swagger and sheer infectiousness of Migos at their best. Though the group continues making new hits, "Stir Fry" remains an iconic staple that helped define their larger-than-life status in hip hop today.