During a Golden Globes acceptance speech for his work on Atlanta this past winter, Childish Gambino famously proclaimed Migos as the new generation's Beatles. That was just two weeks or so before the Atlanta trio, comprised of relatives Quavo, Offset and Takeoff, earned their first-ever platinum plaque for their then-ubiquitous track "Bad and Boujee." A few months later, in April, they earned their second, this one for their sophomore album, Culture.

Things have been going much the same way for the last few months. More than merely the designated rap infatuation of the moment, the continually rising Migos have stitched bits and pieces of their artistry into hip-hop for years now. From their staccato flow to their role in popularizing the dab, from their infectious melodies to their infinitely memorable ad-libs, Migos have left their imprint on the rap landscape, making the name of their breakout album feel increasingly accurate as the days pass. Not only do they know the culture, they've played a big role in creating it.

Being the preeminent culture-creators of the day, it's only right Quavo, Offset and Takeoff have landed on the cover of XXL Magazine's 20th anniversary issue. During the interview for their cover story, written by XXL Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Satten, the group reflects on their own rise to fame and their favorite XXL Magazine cover.

"[The] main issue that’s stuck in my head is the one when 50 Cent first came out and he had the cover," says Quavo in our Fall 2017 cover story. "I think that was amazing for him to even come from New York, from him having that weird name, from him being shot nine times, it just drew so much attraction. And then like, back then there wasn’t no Instagram for you to see this person. Everybody was waiting to see him and XXL put him on the cover so everybody can see what this guy look like. That’s been a cover that’s really stuck in my head."

Migos are just one of the hip-hop acts selected to appear on XXL's 20 special edition covers. Like the three Peach State trailblazers, these rappers have been documented by XXL through the extent of their careers and have always shown love to the brand that helped raise their profiles along the away. The Atlanta trio's fellow cover stars are 50 Cent, the cover king with 15 total XXL covers and a career we’ve been documenting from the start; Diddy, the man who not only reinvented the remix but paved the way for rap moguls; Nicki Minaj, a queen in hip-hop building her own pinkprint in the game; Wiz Khalifa, the cool, calm and collected superstar; Cam’ron, Harlem’s swag connoisseur; Lil Uzi Vert; the face of hip-hop’s new generation; Snoop Dogg, the Doggfather of the game; Pusha T, a success story as a group member, solo artist and record executive; Future, a trendsetting trap god; T.I., rap’s gangsta and gentleman; Fabolous, a highly respected New York MC; Rae Sremmurd, the real crowd-pleasers; Birdman, a No. 1 stunna with a revered empire; Run The Jewels, partners in rhyme and reason; Yo Gotti, a testament to tenacity; Gucci Mane, the true comeback kid; Tech N9ne; an independent icon; E-40; hip-hop’s in-the-know uncle; and The Lox, a trinity representing for the streets.

Check out Migos' full Fall 2017 cover story here, watch his interview video below and keep it locked to our exclusive 20th anniversary hub for more content coming in honor of XXL's 20th anniversary.

Travis Shinn for XXL
Travis Shinn for XXL
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