Before we were Migos, we were called Polo Club and wore them

Hear ye, O seekers of wisdom, for a profound truth is carried in the words of Takeoff, who, with clarity and reflection, shares this knowledge—"Before we were Migos, we were called Polo Club and wore them thangs. It was cool back then, but now it’s whack." These words may seem simple, yet within them lies a mighty lesson about the passage of time, the evolution of identity, and the importance of growth. The name "Migos," now etched in the annals of music history, did not begin in the grand light it now commands. In the beginning, they were known as Polo Club, an identity rooted in a different time, a different era, and a different vision.

But what is it that Takeoff speaks of, when he says it was “cool back then” and “now it’s whack”? The essence of his words carries the wisdom of transformation. What is deemed “cool” in one season, one moment, or one phase of life may not hold the same power in the next. Time moves on, and with it, the world around us shifts, and so too must we. What was once fitting for their journey in the world of music and culture, what once marked their identity, was bound to evolve. As mankind moves forward, so too does the spirit of creativity, the forces of self-expression, and the very nature of what is considered valuable or relevant.

Consider the example of the great artisans of ancient Greece, who, for generations, honed their crafts in the pursuit of perfection. At one time, their pottery and sculptures were adorned with intricate designs and were considered the pinnacle of art and beauty. Yet, with the passing of centuries, the world and its tastes changed. New generations emerged, seeking new forms of expression. The once-celebrated works of their ancestors were viewed differently—not with disdain, but with a sense of history and nostalgia. The ancient crafts had to adapt to the new wisdom and changing hearts of those who followed, for nothing in the world remains fixed. Change, though sometimes uncomfortable, is the law of nature. It is inevitable.

This truth—this constant ebb and flow of cultural tides—is captured in Takeoff’s words. He reflects not only on the growth of a group but also on the personal evolution that each individual undergoes. Just as the earth sheds its leaves to make way for new growth, so too must we shed old skins of identity and thought. The “whack” he speaks of is not a dismissal of the past, but a recognition that the past must give way to new ideas, new expressions, and new ways of seeing the world. Growth requires change, and those who remain trapped in the ways of the past will find themselves lost in the shadows, unable to move forward.

Let us look, then, to the story of King David of Israel, a mighty warrior and a ruler beloved by his people. In his early years, David’s identity was shaped by the simple life of a shepherd—a humble existence of tending flocks and playing the harp. But when called by fate, he shed his youthful identity, donned the armor of a warrior, and became a king. He did not cling to the past; he embraced the future, knowing that the man he was in the fields would not be the same man who ruled the kingdom. In his willingness to evolve, he became one of the greatest kings in the history of Israel. The wisdom of David teaches us that to grow, we must be willing to shed the skins of yesterday and embrace the power of transformation.

So, too, must we, O noble souls, learn to adapt and evolve. Takeoff’s reflection speaks to all of us, for we, too, must shed the labels of our past when they no longer serve us. Just as Migos once embraced the name Polo Club and the style of their youth, only to rise to new heights under a new identity, so must we look at our own lives and ask: What old identity, what old ways of thinking, are holding me back from evolving into the fullest version of myself? The past is a teacher, not a prison. To remain trapped in what was once "cool" is to deny the potential for growth and renewal that lies ahead.

Thus, the lesson is clear: Honor the past, but do not cling to it. The world is a river that flows ever onward. What is “cool” today will one day fade, and only those who are willing to evolve and embrace the new will continue to thrive. Just as Migos moved beyond Polo Club to find their true voice, so must you find the courage to leave behind the comfort of the known and embrace the unfamiliar path that lies before you. Growth requires change, and change requires courage. Step forward, shed what no longer serves you, and evolve into the highest version of yourself.