Lil Migo – Biography, Age, Songs, Net worth, Facts 2025

“You cannot stay in Memphis once you blow up. That is where the hate starts. If you stay you risk your life.” ¹³

Early Life & Background

• Lil Migo was born Adarious Smith on March 1st 1997 in North Memphis.¹⁴ Growing up in a city known for both music and hardship, he often says he was lucky because he had both parents at home. That structure gave him guidance even when the neighborhood was full of challenges.
• Migo has spoken openly about his upbringing. He explains that while his area was tough, his home life was stable. He once said, “It was rough but it wasn’t that rough. I had my mom and dad too.” Having both parents present is something he calls a blessing because many of his peers grew up without that support.¹⁵
• As a child he was surrounded by Memphis rap culture. He recalls seeing Yo Gotti’s cars roll through the block and studying Southern icons like Three 6 Mafia, Lil Boosie, T.I., Lil Wayne and Gucci Mane. These artists shaped his vision and their hustler mentality seeped into his trap-driven style.
• At 15, Migo experienced tragedy when his father suddenly passed away after an allergic reaction while eating at a restaurant. The shocking loss forced him to grow up quickly and deepened his drive to succeed. He has said that after the incident that he could never step into that restaurant again because of the painful memory.¹⁶
• Despite his street surroundings, Migo finished high school and even tried college. At his mother’s encouragement he studied nursing for two years because she worked in healthcare. In interviews, he admitted it wasn’t his passion and eventually left to pursue rap saying “Everything worked how it’s supposed to work.”¹⁷
• Migo is cousins with the late rapper Bankboy Wayne. Together they formed PlugBrudaz in the late 2010s. Their basement-style tracks and raw visuals gained traction in North Memphis. Songs like “Pstyle Part 2” built a small but loyal following and showed Migo’s early potential.¹⁸
• At 18, he survived being shot during what he later called “a deal gone bad.”¹⁹ The experience left him shaken but determined to shift his focus toward music as a safer and smarter way forward. He often points to this event as a turning point that pushed him away from street life.
• His uncle who’s a former rapper played a major role in his start. At 14, his uncle took him to a studio wrote him a song and told him to try rapping. That day Migo recorded his first track. He had always been called “Migo” as a nickname short for “Amigo,” and since he was smaller than his peers as the name naturally evolved into “Lil Migo.”²⁰

“I’ve always been Migo… I was little as hell, so that’s where the Lil came from. But I always moved like a rapper even before I was making music”.

Musical Beginnings & Early Career

• Lil Migo began treating music like a real job in 2018. He even bought a small home studio about two months before releasing “Rockstar.” Recording at home helped him work faster and shape his sound.²¹
• With his cousin Bankboy Wayne, he formed PlugBrudaz and shot raw street videos that showed North Memphis life as it was. The “On Me” clip is an early snapshot of their grind and helped them earn a local base.(Source: YT PlugBrudaz “On Me”))
• He followed with direct records like “Letter 2 the Industry.”²² The song is plain spoken and firm. It told new listeners who he was and why he belonged which helped him grow beyond his own block.
• His first project under the PlugBrudaz banner was the 2019 EP “Mud 2 the Plug.” It runs four songs and set the tone for his no frills Memphis trap style. It proved he could carry a full project without big features.²³

“I started making music in 2018… I didn’t start taking it seriously until 2018.”
“Two months before I dropped ‘Rockstar’… I bought myself my own studio and started recording music.”
“Yeah my family always been supportive… my uncle raps… I’m actually making it in the industry.”

• In 2019, “Rockstar” took off and set the sound most fans now link to him. The beat uses a stark piano and heavy 808s. The hook is simple and urgent which made the song easy to chant and replay.²⁴
• The producer on “Rockstar” is his cousin De’Naro Love. That detail shows how family ties helped shape the early run and kept the music centered on people he trusted.
• After “Rockstar” he connected with Blac Youngsta on Instagram and joined the Heavy Camp/CMG orbit. The move gave him a bigger stage while he kept the same Memphis core in his music and visuals.²⁵
• As his name grew he landed “You Can See” on Moneybagg Yo and Blac Youngsta’s “Code Red.” The feature put him next to established stars and showed he could match their energy.
• He widened his reach with “Migo Shit” featuring Quavo in 2022. The collab signaled that his music had spread well past Memphis and into the wider Southern scene.²⁶
• Through this period he posted songs and vlogs to his own channel and used short clips to test hooks. The steady pace kept his fans engaged while he built toward bigger releases.²⁷

Breakthrough & Rise to Prominence (2019-2021)

• The “Rockstar” video introduced his clipped hooks and tense street writing to a wider Memphis audience. Momentum from this early single set up meetings, co-signs and a heavier release pace.
• Yo Gotti brought Lil Migo onstage in Memphis and welcomed him to the CMG/Heavy Camp orbit in front of a home crowd. The moment validated his local run and signaled bigger infrastructure behind him.²⁸
• Teaming with Blac Youngsta kept the heat on and connected him directly to the Heavy Camp fan base. The single framed Migo as part of a larger Memphis movement not just a solo viral act.
• “Truth” captured the costs of attention and the temptation that comes with fast growth. The record helped define his voice as blunt, compact and focused on real things.²⁹
• This fan-favorite paired pain-narrative lyrics with a relentless pocket expanding his base beyond Memphis. It cemented a run where nearly every drop got views on YouTube.³⁰
• A feature on Moneybagg Yo and Blac Youngsta’s Code Red brought national ears to his name. The mixtape’s spotlight placed him beside established CMG talent and widened his reach.
• The album cycle showed he could carry a full project not just singles. Visuals and feature choices positioned him as a reliable new trap voice with a clear Memphis identity.
• The collaboration underscored mentorship and gave the project a marquee moment. It framed Migo’s rise as part of a lineage rather than an isolated breakout.
• The sequel pushed him further into mainstream spaces with a crisp GTFilms visual and a high-profile feature. It showed polish without losing the raw trap core.³¹
• The sequel’s tracklist and release details confirmed a sustained campaign rather than a one-off win. Streaming availability across platforms helped lock in new listeners beyond the South.³²

Recent Projects & Developments (2022-2025)

“Cheated” shows range (2022)

“Cheated” puts story first and lets the beat breathe. Lil Migo speaks plain and keeps the hook tight. The video rollout kept his page active and showed he could connect on love and trust as much as he does on street talk. It widened his audience and added balance to his catalog. ³³

CMG compilation placements (2022)

He appeared with the CMG roster during the label’s summer compilation. The set placed him next to familiar Memphis names and brought new ears from other cities. His spot on “OK” with BlocBoy JB helped listeners pin his voice within the crew sound while still feeling distinct. ³⁴

Deluxe momentum (2022)

The “King Of The Trap 2 (Deluxe)” update kept his year busy. Extra cuts like “Cheated” and “Bad Bitch” gave fans more of the tone they wanted. The deluxe pass also stretched the life of the campaign and kept his name in rotation across platforms and club sets. ³⁵

Label infrastructure for a full album (2023)

“Trap Tuition” landed as a focused long play with a clear theme. The writing weighs lessons and the sequencing moves with intent. You can hear bigger rooms and sharper mixes while the Memphis core stays in place. It marked a steadier phase for rollouts and planning. ³⁶

Proof of polish with “What I Spent” (2023)

“What I Spent” anchors the album era with a clean visual push.³⁷ The track hits with tight drums and a clear low end. The video underlines the message of work and reward and shows how his sound sits in bigger mixes without losing grit.

Credits that confirm distribution muscle (2023)

The official audio upload for “What I Spent” lists 4th and Broadway and Def Jam.³⁸ Those credits confirm the distribution lift behind the “Trap Tuition” run. It signals that he can keep control while plugging into a wider system.

A somber pivot with the “Numb” EP (2024)

“Numb” turns inward. The writing sits with loss and cost.³⁹ The beats stay heavy yet the tone is calm and reflective. It is a short listen that shows growth and patience and it keeps the Memphis spine intact.

Cross city chemistry with Lil Jairmy (2024)

“Still Have The Streets” links Memphis and Houston with ease.⁴⁰ The record moves like a road song and places two regional voices on shared ground. It helps him touch a new base while staying true to his cadence.

Prayerful snippet to official drop (2024)

He teased “Pray To God” live and then turned the moment into a proper release.⁴¹ The record feels close and personal. It shows how he uses snippets to read the room and then delivers the full song when the response is strong.

Club ready run with “New Body” (2024)

“New Body” resets the tempo. The beat is quick and built for walk ins and mixes. It is a clean Memphis cut and it gave DJs a reliable spark for early sets and after hours. ⁴²

Hook first writing on “YOU THE TYPE” (2024)

“YOU THE TYPE”  song runs tight and lands fast which suits clips and short form feeds.⁴³ It is a simple idea done with focus and it kept his profile visible day to day.

Independent frame with “The Streets Calling” (2025)

Fourteen tracks move through piano lines and rolling 808s.⁴⁴ The sequencing feels orderly and the themes return to work loyalty and reach. It reads like a plan and a promise at once.

Singles that define the era (2025)

“Live By The Law” sums up the code that runs through the album.⁴⁵ The tone is steady, the writing is firm & It acts like a mission note for the year.

Momentum single “Embraced It” (2025)

The hook moves forward and the verses hold the line. The track keeps the window warm after the album and holds listeners while new visuals arrive. ⁴⁶

Visuals stay consistent (2025)

The artist hub shows steady uploads like “Dawg Ass” and “Sergeant.”⁴⁷ These clips feed the algorithm and give fans something to share between big drops. The pace helps each song live longer.

Deluxe catalog snapshot

The official link hub gathers the versions of “King Of The Trap 2 (Deluxe)” across services.⁴⁸ It is a quick way to see the added tracks and the order they sit in. This helps new listeners catch up and longtime fans recall the sequence.

Controversies

Airport clash with Grove Hero

In December 2022, Grove Hero confronted Lil Migo at Memphis International Airport while streaming live. The video captured him approaching Migo taunting him and eventually smacking the phone from his hand. The clip went viral almost instantly with spawning memes and online debates. Many framed it as part of the larger CMG vs PRE rivalry that has defined Memphis rap politics. ⁴⁹

Lil Migo’s side of the altercation

Lil Migo quickly responded on Instagram after the clip spread. He claimed Grove Hero ran to security after striking his phone by portraying himself as calm in the face of provocation.⁵⁰ His post pushed back on jokes at his expense and emphasized that he wasn’t looking to escalate the encounter further.

Chain photos fuel taunts online

Not long after the airport incident PRE-affiliated rapper CEO Jizzle posted pictures wearing a chain that seemed to bear Migo’s logos. Fans interpreted it as a stolen piece of jewelry and the internet erupted with jokes. Memes and hashtags circulated and painting the moment as a public embarrassment for Migo and fueling online chatter about his street credibility.⁵¹

Kenny Muney escalates with buy-back offer

Kenny Muney later jumped in by posting that Migo could buy the chain back.⁵² This suggestion turned the story into a public taunt that made waves across Instagram. While there was never any official confirmation of the chain being stolen, the perception created by rivals deepened the controversy. Migo remained quiet for a time before later addressing it indirectly.

Dallas traffic stop raises scrutiny

In 2021, Lil Migo was riding with Blac Youngsta when police in Dallas pulled them over.⁵³ A firearm was found in the vehicle and Blac Youngsta was arrested. Though Migo was briefly detained, he was not charged. Coverage of the incident nevertheless placed him under scrutiny as media linked him to the unfolding legal situation.

Case dismissal eases speculation

In 2024, prosecutors dismissed the case against Blac Youngsta due to lack of evidence. This decision effectively cleared lingering speculation surrounding the Dallas stop. For Lil Migo, the outcome meant distancing himself from the controversy though it highlighted the risks of association within high-profile rap circles.⁵⁴

Illuminati rumors after Bankboy Wayne’s death

After the tragic killing of his cousin and collaborator Bankboy Wayne rumors began circulating online that Lil Migo had somehow sacrificed him for fame.⁵⁵ These conspiracy theories though baseless gained traction on social media. Migo firmly rejected them as offensive and hurtful by stressing his loyalty to his cousin and the pain of losing him.

Focus on music over beef

Despite online narratives, Lil Migo has said in interviews that he prefers music over street conflicts. In a local radio conversation, he emphasized that his goal is to provide for his family and avoid unnecessary drama. This approach has helped him maintain a professional image and keep his career on track.⁵⁶

Why Memphis artists relocate for safety

Commentators often note that many Memphis rappers eventually leave the city once fame arrives. Rising crime and long-standing rivalries make staying home risky. Local news reports have covered this trend by explaining why artists like Migo talk openly about moving for safety and stability after finding success.⁵⁷

Discography (Highlights & Key Dates)

Fan Connections, Mentorship & Community Impact

• Lil Migo’s handle is @lilmigo. His bio reads “HUMBLE” lists @25riches and @1_big_unk for management and points fans to the backup page @only1lilmigo.⁶⁹
• He keeps a public backup account so fans can still reach him if the main page is limited. The page label reads “Official @LilMigo BackUp.”⁷⁰
• He runs Reels-first rollouts for new music which keeps him in Explore and in front of casual scrollers.
• He invites fans into the process with direct questions like “Which song y’all favorite on The Streets Calling?” and drives comments and saves.
• He posts studio grind clips with captions like “Still in the ‘Stu’… Grinding Hard” which frames his page around work and consistency.

“I keep it real with y’all, I’m ‘Still in the “Stu” not the streets’putting in work every day.”
“That grind is for the city, for the fans, just me making my dream real.”
“Every drop, I ask y’all—‘Which song on The Streets Calling y’all feeling the most?’’cause your voice means something.”
“And when I hit ‘Live By The Law 115K – 5 Days,’ that’s y’all push, y’all support showing up right there in numbers.”⁷¹

• He uses quick stats to show momentum like “Live By The Law 115K – 5 Days” which doubles as social proof for new listeners.
• He spotlights collaboration and community by tagging partners in rollout clips such as the Louie Ray single “I Done” which broadens his network and reach.
• He pushes clean call-to-action posts for bigger drops keeping timelines clear and link-driven during album cycles.⁷²
• He keeps the feed active with mid-cycle Reels mixing lifestyle and performance energy to hold attention between major releases.⁷³
• He maintains steady 2025 activity with updates that pull heavy comments and tags showing an engaged core audience.⁷⁴
• He rolls out new visuals with direct link prompts for example the “No Ordinary Love” video push that anchors an album moment.⁷⁵
• He continues single-by-single promotion into mid-year using short captions and hooky snippets to keep fans primed for the next drop.⁷⁶

Comparisons with Peers & Position in the Scene

• He moves in the classic Memphis lane: dark bass, street detail and steady delivery that traces back to Project Pat and the city’s core sound.
• His label network is visible on CMG’s compilation runs and placing him beside Moneybagg Yo, 42 Dugg, EST Gee and more.⁷⁷
• In the new Memphis wave conversation he’s often grouped with peers like Big3, who has earned national attention via XXL’s Freshman class.

“As the Memphis lane goes, it’s dark bass, street detail, staying steady that’s always been my lane.”
“We respect legends like Project Pat for laying the foundation, so I ride that sound with my own vibe.”

• Pooh Shiesty set a high bar for the era with the hit “Back in Blood” which shaped outside expectations of Memphis rap’s reach.
• NLE Choppa broke through with the frantic viral “Shotta Flow,” while Migo stays closer to straight-ahead trap cadence.
• CMG’s momentum pushes the whole roster forward and the Gangsta Art 2 announcement shows the label’s ongoing collective strategy.⁷⁸

“Being around Moneybagg Yo, EST Gee on CMG sh those runs and comps put me close to my peers.”

• Cross-city co-signs help his profile and the Quavo collab “Migo Shit” connects Memphis grit with Atlanta star power.
• Within CMG’s tougher and non-melodic lane, he sits near EST Gee on the spectrum of no-frills trap focused on grit over pop gloss.⁷⁹

“When I linked up with Quavo on ‘Migo Shit,’ it was showing Memphis grit right alongside ATL star power.”

• His path fits CMG’s lineage, Yo Gotti built the platform that now houses Moneybagg Yo, 42 Dugg, GloRilla, EST Gee and others an ecosystem Migo taps into as he scales.⁸⁰

Kanika Dhingra

Kanika Dhingra is a pop culture writer with 5+ years of experience decoding celebrity fame. From hip-hop trailblazers to viral chart-toppers, she delivers smart, stylish profiles that resonate with fans and critics alike.