If Migos have a fallback producer, it's Zaytoven. He produced 7 of the 15 songs on their new tape Back to the Bando, and since "Versace" they have collaborated on over 30 records together.
Why do they keep returning to Zaytoven? Probably because he is nothing if not consistent, a reliable bet to lay down a low-key, bouncy trap beat that works well with their triplet flow and mindless/repetitive/catchy hooks.
Without further ado, here are our top 5 Migos X Zaytoven tracks. Honorable mention to "Ounces, "Just Wait On It," and "Contraband" ("smoking OG from Afghanistan").
Versace
The song that started it all. Zaytoven and Migos are often criticized for recycling the same tropes, but "Versace" gets them both at their very best. Zaytoven heightens his signature minimalism with some first-rate blip-bloops and Quavo murders the hook despite repeating the same word over and over. Versace. Versace. Versace? Versace.
Delivering a pair of hits in "Versace" and "Hanna Montana," Y.R.N. (Yung Rich Niggas) is still one of Migos' most memorable projects to date.
Back to the Bando
With nothing but respect for "Pamela," the best Zaytoven-produced song on new tape Back to the Bando is the title track. The flow is just ferocious and the simple, hypnotic refrain "trapping out the houses" somehow gets better each time they repeat the line.
Meanwhile, Zaytoven lays down some stanky organ lines will leave you wondering why he doesn't bust out this sort of thing more often. We know he's got the keyboard chops.
I Still Got It
This is an Usher song, and the Migos do well to make their presence known without getting in his way. Usher's vocals are in mid-season form while Migos sort of bouncing in the background, dropping wild ad-libs. Migos would be great hype men. Ursher still got it.
This is a rock-solid Zaytoven beat that gives Usher some harmonies to work off. The best part has to be the flute -- it's so corny. So corny that it's perfection.
Migos Origin
As all true Migos fans know, they hail from the norfside of Atlanta, and that's what Young Rich Nation standout "Migos Origin" is all about. The dudes of Migos are always saying some weird shit and "Migos Origin" houses some true gems. "I'm trapping the white... that Ku Klux."
Charles Barkley
Migos frequently drop songs with names like "Dennis Rodman" and "Emmett Smith" and reference football players like Richard Sherman and (for some reason) Darren McFadden. Sometimes, it's just fun to hear athlete's names come up in rap songs -- especially if that athlete is the legendary hooper and outsized personality Charles Barkley.
A melancholy, pan-flute, El Chapo-esque instrumental courtesy of Zaytoven serves as a tasteful backdrop as the three Migos shoutout Sir Charles, chanting "CHARLES, BARK-A-LEE!" with enthusiasm.