How every member of Migos got their rap names
Migos were hugely influential during their 2010s pomp, helping to bring trap music to the masses. In the process, the group’s three members became stars in their own right.
Migos was made up of Quavious Keyate Marshall, Kirsnick Khari Ball and Kiari Kendrell Cephus, but they are far better known by their nicknames. That is, Quavo, Takeoff and Offset.
The group was partially a family affair, in that Quavo and Takeoff were related. Despite being so close in age—Quavo was born in 1991, while Takeoff arrived three years later in ’94—the pair weren’t cousins, as might be expected. Quavo was actually Takeoff’s uncle. As for Offset, there was a time when it was assumed he was related to his bandmates, but that wasn’t true. He was just a classmate of Quavo, and the pair became close.
The trio started making music together in 2008, originally under the band name of Polo Club. The Migos name came later, based on the “Three Amigos.” It was a reference to how close the three young men were, having grown up with each other on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia. They would hold onto those bonds as they found massive success and fame with their group.
As for their individual stage names, Quavo’s is the most obvious to understand. It’s just a straight-up play on his real name, Quavious Marshall, although he is also known to some as Huncho. That’s a nod to the fact that he is considered the leader of the Migos—the head honcho.
Takeoff, who was shot and killed in late 2022, had arguably the coolest nickname. Quavo once explained the moniker’s origins during an appearance on Hot Ones, revealing that it came about because of Takeoff’s knack for recording verses without making a mistake. “The reason why his name is Takeoff,” he explained, “is because he used to do everything in one take.”
Quavo recalled that, when they used to record music on the basic computer programs that they had access to when they were younger, it was important to get things right the first time around. If you failed, the whole process would have to be started again. “Anybody who messed up on one ad lib or anything,” Quavo noted, “we had to start it all the way over.”
The young man born Kirsnick Khari Ball was a pro at getting his verses right on the first take. Hence, the nickname “Takeoff” was born. He came to be known by it for the rest of his short life.
Only Offset’s nickname remains a mystery, although there is a suggestion that it may have something to do with his personality and manner being a little “off.” This isn’t intended to be a slight against him—his unique nature and style have helped him to establish a distinct position within the music business.