Migos Explain Why Takeoff Was Left Off Of ‘Bad and Boujee’

The Migos are finally explaining the question we’ve wanted to know for over half a decade: Why was Takeoff left off of “Bad and Boujee?”

The 2016 hit got the ATL rap group on the map –and got them their first Grammy nom– but they left fans confused when only 2/3 of the group were heard on the hit-making track. In an upcoming interview with Rap Radar, Elliott Wilson asked, “Was it something about ‘Bad and Boujee’ why you didn’t wanna rap on that beat? Why wasn’t you on that song when it came out?”

“I just think it was just timing,” Quavo responded. “We was just trying to get something out. We was actually pissed off because we ain’t have no music out. I think like a couple months before the whole little wave and we was going through the litigation with 300 [Entertainment], so we ended up leaking ‘Bad and Boujee’ on SoundCloud first. S—, I wasn’t even gonna be on it. I had to do my verse on some quick fast in a rush s—. So, it was just like everybody running to the song and trying to get it done.”

The absence of Takeoff on the track made headlines when the song came out back in 2016. The rap trio got into many beefs with media personalities due to Takeoff missing from the song.

“Bad and Boujee” features Red & White creator Lil Uzi Vert and went on to land the rap trio a nomination for Best Rap Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. It peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

10 Of Quavo's Best Guest Appearances

• 10. “Magic City” Fivio Foreign ‘B.I.B.L.E’ (2022)

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  "Magic City" off of Fivio Foreign's debut album set to release April 8, 2022, shows how Quavo is not afraid to showcase his talents and lead on a song as a feature by adding his print on the hook and chorus. The track is produced by Franklin, Axl, and Mike Dean who is also credited as a lyricist. The song is about the rappers repping their respective home cities (Brooklyn and Atlanta) and turning the New York borough into Magic City, a popular strip club in Atlanta. A preview of the song was first heard on Fivio's TikTok then later again on Instagram of Quavo spitting on the drill-heavy track.

• 9. “Portland” Drake ft. Quavo and Travis Scott ‘More Life’ (2017)

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  Drake recruits Quavo and Travis Scott for "Portland" off of his 2017 mixtape 'More Life.' All three rappers flaunt their success and wealth in the song and how they won't let others ride their wave. The title of the song refers to Portland, Oregon which Drake and Travis Scott have publicly mentioned they "find peace" there. Portland is also in reference to the NBA team Portland Trailblazers in which they are known for their originality and for carving their own path. "Portland" was not the first time Drake and Quavo collabed and made a success. Previously in 2013, Drake hopped on the Migos track "Versace" which earned the ATL group their first Hot 100 hit. "Portland" is currently two-times certified platinum by the RIAA.

• 8. “Shake The Room” Pop Smoke ‘Meet The Woo 2’ (2020)

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  The drill track was written by Pop Smoke (real name Beshar Jackson) and Quavo and produced by 808Melo. The music video was shot in Paris as the two fool around in a classy restaurant. The visual was directed by the late Off-White founder and Louis Vuitton artistic director Virgil Abolh. Pop Smoke was killed on February 19, 2020, but was honored by Quavo at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards where he performed "Shake The Room" and their other hit "Aim For The Moon" live. Quavo wore a jean jacket with "Shoot for the Stars" on the front and "Aim for the Moon" on the back while performing. The song is currently certified gold by the RIAA.
• 7. “Rap Saved Me” Metro Boomin, 21 Savage, and Offset ‘Without Warning’ (2017)

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  On the collab album, 'Without Warning,' from producer Metro Boomin and rappers 21 Savage and fellow Migos rapper Offset, Quavo serves as one of two guest features on the whole project, and rightfully so. Houston-bred rapper Travis Scott is featured on "Ghostface Killers." Quavo comes in on the third verse of the song offering a change in flow to the A/B pattern Offset and 21 were previously going back and forth on. The track is certified platinum by the RIAA.

• 6. “No Brainer” DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber and Chance The Rapper, ‘Father of Asahd’ (2019)

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  DJ Khaled linked up with Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper, and Quavo to produce this hit that debuted at No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song is about finding love which the song's title is found in the chorus sung by Bieber. The track currently is two-times certified platinum by the RIAA.

• 5. “Champions” Kanye West, Travis Scott, Big Sean, Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti, 2 Chainz, and Desiigner, ‘Champions (Round & Round)’ (2016)

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  The jam-packed track features Kanye West, Quavo, Travis Scott, Big Sean, Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti, 2 Chainz, and Desiigner. The Migos rapper starts off the high-energy song and the memorable line from his verse, “They tried to turn me to an animal/But white people think I'm radical,” has the ATL native talking back at the FOX News commentators like Tomi Lahren who previously accused him and other rappers like Kendrick Lamar for inciting violence in their lyrics. The track is certified platinum by the RIAA.
• 4. “Intentions” Justin Bieber, ‘Changes’ (2020)

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  "Intentions" is the third time Quavo and Justin Bieber linked up on a track. Previously, they joined forces on their No. 1 hit "I'm The One" and later on "No Brainer." "Intentions" is the second single from Bieber's 2020 album 'Changes' in which several songs on the album are dedicated to the R&B crooner's wife Hailey. Quavo's verse touches upon his "intentions" with a woman he's interested in as well and at the time of the recording, the ATL native was dating rapper Saweetie. The two split later in 2021. According to reports, Quavo's verse was an unexpected last-minute contribution just before the release. The song wasn't written with a feature or a spot in mind. The song debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 later rising to No. 9 the following week. The song currently is four-times certified platinum by the RIAA.

• 3. “Im The One” DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne, ‘Grateful’ (2017)

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  DJ Khaled recruited Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper, and Lil Wayne for this track that debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100. Quavo recorded his verse within five minutes of hearing the beat. Khaled recalled to Billboard magazine: "I hit Quavo up, like 'Yo I got this record, I'm telling you it's gonna be big. I need you on it.' He's like, 'Khaled whatever you need I got you.' So we went into the studio, and we actually recorded in the studio where Michael Jackson recorded 'Thriller'… So Quavo and the whole Migos came through. I played [the beat] for Quavo and he was like, 'This is crazy.' The man really took five minutes. Five minutes listening to the beat, and then he went into the booth and just knocked the verse out." This won Best Song (Rap/Hip-Hop) at the 2017 American Music Awards.

• 2. “Congratulations” Post Malone, ‘Stoney’ (2016)

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  "Congratulations" by Post Malone is the fifth single from his 2016 album 'Stoney.' Quavo lends his talents to the popular track on the second verse. The ATL native's feature kept the Migos on the map who didn't have another large hit until their 2018 track "Bad and Boujee." The song peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 and spent 50 weeks at the chart. The song is currently 11-times certified platinum by the RIAA. Co-producer Leon and engineer Louis Bell recalled the making of the track to Billboard:"Recording that song was one of those experiences where everything came together. Metro Boomin' was FaceTiming with Quavo and Post was like, 'Hey, come through.' He was there in a half-hour and there was an energy in the room. Post went in and started singing a freestyle, came out, and had maybe eight minutes worth of melodies. The 'Congratulations' hook was part of the freestyle."
• 1. “Pick Up The Phone” Travis Scott and Young Thug, ‘Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight’ (2016)

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  "Pick Up The Phone" by Travis Scott serves as the second single from 'Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight.' The album title is taken from one of Quavo's rhymes in his verse: "I hate when we fight/She in love with the pipe/I draped her up in ice, I pour my four on ice/Birds in the trap sing Brian McKnight/Percocet and Codeine please don't take my life." Scott recalled to Billboard magazine: "Young Quavius was rapping, bouncing off ideas, and I was letting him know the story and the vibe of my album so when he was doing his verse, dude just says 'Birds in the trap sing Brian McKnight.' I ran in the booth and I was like, 'Bro, this is it! (laughs)'" "Pick Up The Phone" peaked at No. 12 on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  The track currently is two-times certified platinum by the RIAA.