Only Built for Infinity Links explained

Only Built for Infinity Links
Type:studio
Artist:Unc & Phew
Cover:Quavo and Takeoff - Only Built for Infinity Links.png
Recorded:2021–2022
Length:59:14
Chronology:Quavo
Prev Title:Quavo Huncho
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Rocket Power
Next Year:2023

Only Built for Infinity Links is the only studio album by American hip hop duo Unc & Phew, consisting of Quavo and Takeoff. It was released through Quality Control Music and Motown on October 7, 2022. The album contains guest appearances from Mustard, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Young Thug, Gunna, Summer Walker, Birdman, and Gucci Mane.[1] It was the last project released in Takeoff's lifetime as he was shot and killed just 25 days after the album's release on November 1, 2022.

Background

Quavo and Takeoff worked on the album over a two-year period and "modeled elements of the cover art" on Kanye West and Jay-Z's collaboration for Watch the Throne (2011) as well as Outkast’s album Stankonia (2000). The title is a reference to Raekwon's 1995 debut album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., with Takeoff claiming that Raekwon approved of the title, as well as a reference to the "unbreakable bond" that Quavo and Takeoff have as uncle and nephew, respectively.[1] The album was notably made without input from Offset of Migos despite no formal split of the trio; Quavo also stated in an interview that he would like to see his and Takeoff's career "as a duo".[2] [3]

Critical reception

Only Built for Infinity Links received positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 70, based on six reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.

AllMusic praised the album, writing that the duo "delivers the unfazable personality and triplet flows that made their group famous." Robin Murray of Clash praised the album's variety and the two artists' creativity, describing it as "packed with highlights" and calling it a "record that blazes with life". Similarly, HipHopDXs Peter Berry wrote, "Offset or no Offset, Quavo and Takeoff's stylistic DNA holds steady. It's home-grown. It's theirs, and it's as potent as ever."

Commercial performance

Only Built for Infinity Links debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 33,000 album-equivalent units (including 2,500 copies in pure album sales) in its first week.[4] The album also accumulated a total of 41.1 million on-demand streams of the album's songs.[4]

Personnel

Performers

Technical

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Nigeria Albums (TurnTable)[5] 34

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[6] 97
Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[7] 188
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[8] 64

Notes and References

  1. Takeoff & Quavo Release 'Only Built for Infinity Links' Album: Stream It Now. Billboard. Rouhani. Neena. October 7, 2022. October 8, 2022.
  2. Web site: Quavo and Takeoff tease future of Migos without Offset. NME. Geraghty. Hollie. October 6, 2022. October 8, 2022.
  3. Web site: Akanido . Don . October 19, 2022 . Quavo & Takeoff – Only Built For Infinity Links Lyrics and Tracklist . October 12, 2022.
  4. 2022-10-20 . Quavo & Takeoff's 'Links' Launches at No. 1 on Top Rap Albums Chart . 2022-11-26 . Billboard.
  5. Web site: Nigeria Top 50 Albums. www.turntablecharts.com . TurnTable . 9 November 2022.
  6. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 10, 2022.
  7. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 23, 2023.
  8. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 23, 2023.