Quavo “Rocket Power” Album Review

Rocket Power

Quavo

• Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
• Date: 18 Aug, 2023
• Content: explicit
• Track(s): 18
• Quality Control Music/Motown Records; ℗ 2023 Quality Control Music, LLC, under exclusive license to UMG Recordings, Inc.

This is rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer Quavo’s second full-length solo album. Quavo Huncho, the first member of the Migos to go solo with a solo debut five years ago, is dedicating “Rocket Power” to his late Unc & Phew brother, friend and colleague, Takeoff, who tragically died just weeks after the release of their sole album Only Built for Infinity Links last fall. Rest his soul.

Album Cover Art

The Huncho, in a sober demeanor, stands with his head bowed while holding up an iced-out neckpiece, which probably belonged to his iconic nephew, the late Takeoff. Quavo might be in mourning, but the diamonds aren’t, as they stay dancing around his wrists, fingers and neck.

Tracks and Features

“Fueled Up” is an atmospheric trap opening produced by Kenny Beats & Murda Beatz proclaiming that it’s all love as he returns to his former ways, but “Patty Cake” by Unc & Phew sees the duo talking about being heavyweights as opposed to lightweights over some horns & hi-hats provided by DJ Durel.

“Mama Told Me” follows this up with a synth/string trap hybrid that discusses everything his late mother Edna Parker told him throughout his life, shortly before “Who wit Me” comes through with a more energetic atmosphere thanks to BNYX wanting to know who’s on his side here.

Following the “Narkedo Speaks” interlude, “Hold Me” hooks up a solemn loop and hi-hats so Huncho can plead to everyone in his life who is no longer here with him to keep him strong leading into “Where Can I Start?” which has a deeper mystic trap groove talking about gazing up and getting to the guap.

“Wall to Wall” ventures into more future territory, instrumentally discussing a little bitch who believes she can be bought, but “Turn Yo Clic Up” featuring Future was a bad pick of a single, owing mostly to the subpar beat. On “Back Where It Begins,” Unc & Phew reunite for the final time, with Future only handling the hook this time so Wheezy can aim for a more atmospheric approach behind the boards.

Meanwhile, “11.11” reflects on the darker nights he’s been having over the past nine months, even though the instrumental here is only ok. While the moody “Disciples” sings about not playing with naysayers this year, Pooh Beatz gives “Galaxy” a more piano-driven atmosphere that you’ll enjoy.

While “Stain” with BabyDrill & Hunxho aims for a more vibrant approach to the beat with one of, if not the most repetitive hooks on the album and compares it to Modern Warfare when they hop out the Lamborghini, both guest verses punch under their weight unlike Huncho, who struggles to punch under his weight in “Focused” featuring Young Thug.

While the two-part title track, produced by Murda, BNYX, and Dez Wright, recalls kicking doors open bright and early while remembering his late nephew, the song “Not Done Yet” speaks on carrying out the goal with no regrets and the end being nowhere in sight. However, “Greatness” closes Quavo’s sophomore album by intriguingly fusing pop reggae with pop rap and trap to describe how legends are created.

Tracklist

NO	TITLE	ARTIST	TIME
1	Fueled Up	Quavo	3:08
2	Patty Cake	Quavo & Takeoff	2:13
3	Mama Told Me	Quavo	2:25
4	Who Wit Me	Quavo	2:21
5	Narkedo Speaks	Quavo	0:54
6	Hold Me	Quavo	2:21
7	Where Can I Start	Quavo	2:29
8	Wall To Wall	Quavo	2:42
9	Turn Yo Clic Up	Quavo & Future	3:50
10	Back Where It Begins (feat. Future)	Quavo & Takeoff	3:50
11	11.11	Quavo	2:30
12	Galaxy	Quavo	2:39
13	Disciples	Quavo	2:48
14	Focused (feat. Young Thug)	Quavo	3:57
15	Stain (feat. Babydrill)	Quavo & Hunxho	3:46
16	Not Done Yet	Quavo	2:20
17	Rocket Power	Quavo	3:36
18	Greatness	Quavo	3:05

Album Theme

Rockets often take off from Earth, so the album’s name, “Rocket Power,” is a tribute to Quavo’s late nephew Takeoff, also known as “The Rocket.” The fact that Quavo was the primary eyewitness to Takeoff’s passing plays a significant role on the album because it clearly had a profound impact on him and led to him paying tribute to the late musician.

Production Credits

Aldae, Alex Lustig, Al Geno, Atake, B100, BabyWave, Basobeats, BEAUTIFULMVN, Bitton, BNYX®, Buddah Bless, Cheeze Beatz, Dez Wright, DJ Durel, Felix Leone, Go Grizzly, Isaiah Tejada, Jack Uriah, Jambo, Jimmie Gutch and many more producers lent their skills to this album’s production.

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