Offset (rapper)

Kiari Kendrell Cephus (born December 14, 1991), known professionally as Offset, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for being a member of the Atlanta-based hip-hop trio Migos. Formed with fellow rappers Quavo and Takeoff in 2008, the group released four commercially successful studio albums—Yung Rich Nation (2015), Culture (2017), Culture II (2018) and Culture III (2021)—before disbanding in 2023.

As a solo act, he first released the collaborative album Without Warning (2017) with record producer Metro Boomin and fellow Georgia-based rapper 21 Savage. It peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200 and spawned the single "Ric Flair Drip," which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. He then guest appeared on Tyga's 2018 single "Taste", which became his first top ten hit on the latter chart as a soloist, and received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). That same year, he appeared alongside Travis Scott on Kodak Black's single "Zeze", which peaked at number two on the chart.

Offset signed with Motown and Capitol Records to release his debut solo album, Father of 4 (2019). The album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and spawned the top 40 single "Clout" (featuring Cardi B), which was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. Offset and Cardi B's 2023 follow-up single, "Jealousy", peaked at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 and served as lead single for his second studio album Set It Off (2023), which released in October of that year. The album debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200 and was accompanied by the single "Say My Grace" (featuring Travis Scott), which peaked at number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100.

His 2025 single, "Bodies" (featuring JID), peaked at number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and preceded his third album, Kiari (2025), which included the single "Different Species" (featuring Gunna) that peaked at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100. His mixtape Haunted by Fame (2025), a surprise release, failed to chart on the Billboard 200.

His marriage to fellow rapper Cardi B—with whom he has three children—has been heavily publicized; the couple separated in late 2023, filing for divorce in August 2024.

Career

Offset was first a backup dancer in the music video for Whitney Houston's 2002 single "Whatchulookinat"; he was 10 years old at the time. Offset, along with fellow Migos group members, was born and raised in Gwinnett County, Georgia, adjacent to Atlanta. In 2008, Offset formed the Migos with Quavo and Takeoff.

Migos initially gained recognition following the release of their 2013 single "Versace". In 2015, the trio released their debut studio album Yung Rich Nation. In 2017, their single "Bad and Boujee" became an Internet phenomenon, as much of the song was performed by Offset. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, with many critics believing Offset commanded the track. In 2017, the trio released their second studio album, Culture, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart.

In addition to Migos, Offset has released solo music and collaborated with numerous artists. In June 2017, he was featured on Metro Boomin's single "No Complaints" alongside Drake, which peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100, and in September he joined Macklemore on the song "Willy Wonka", from the album Gemini. Offset would eventually release a collaborative studio album with rapper 21 Savage and record producer Metro Boomin titled, Without Warning. The album was released on October 31, 2017, and debuted at number 4 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It spawned the hit song "Ric Flair Drip", Offset's first solo platinum single, and highest charting US Billboard Hot 100 entry as a lead artist to date.

In January 2018, Offset was criticized for rapping a line that includes the lyrics "I cannot vibe with queers" in his feature on YFN Lucci's "Boss Life". After the lyric was understood as homophobic he apologized saying he did not intend for his use of the term "queer" to be directed at the LGBT community. His wife, Cardi B, said that Offset did not know the term "queer" had a homophobic history. He has since claimed in an Instagram post that he assumed the lyric was using the definition of "queer" that is defined as eccentric and odd.

On February 22, 2019, he released his first solo album Father of 4. The album featured the single "Clout", with Cardi B, which peaked at the top 40 of the Hot 100 at number 39.

Offset was involved in a feud with Chris Brown whom he threatened to fight with in 2019.

Following the release of the fourth Migos album, Culture III in June 2021, Offset was featured on the soundtrack of Fast & Furious 9 on the song "Hit Em Hard" along with Trippie Redd, Kevin Gates, Lil Durk and King Von.

In May 2022, rumors surrounding a possible disbandment of Migos arose when Offset and his wife Cardi B unfollowed Quavo and Takeoff after the latter announced their new duo project, Unc And Phew and released the single Hotel Lobby (Unc & Phew).

In August 2022, Offset announced his second studio album and released two new singles, "54321" and "Code" with Moneybagg Yo, along with the music video featuring model Bella Hadid. Shortly after the release of "54321", Offset filed a lawsuit against his record label Quality Control Music in a dispute over rights to his solo music. His legal team said that he "paid handsomely" for his solo artist rights following the negotiation last year, but now QC has allegedly attempted to claim his latest track as its own.

In October 2022, disbandment of Migos became the subject of speculation based on reports that Offset had slept with Quavo's ex-girlfriend Saweetie. Following this, Quavo and Takeoff released a collaborative album titled Only Built for Infinity Links on October 7, 2022, without Offset's input despite no formal split. In an interview, Quavo stated that he would like to see his and Takeoff's career "as a duo".

On November 1, 2022, Takeoff was shot dead at the 810 Billiards & Bowling in Houston, Texas. Following the murder of his cousin and groupmate, Offset delayed the release date of his upcoming album which was originally going to be released on November 11, 2022.

On July 28, 2023, Offset released the single, "Jealousy" in collaboration with Cardi B, this single serves as the lead single off of his second studio album Set it Off, released October 13, 2023. The album was preceded with two more singles, "Fan" and "Worth It" with Don Toliver which was released a day before the album release. The album features guest appearances from Travis Scott, Future, Latto, Young Nudy among others.

Offset announced on his Instagram in March 2025 that he would perform in Moscow, Russia, despite his label Motown (owned by Universal Music Group) suspending all operations in Russia following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

On June 20, 2025, Offset released the single "Bodies" in collaboration with JID, serving as the lead single for the album KIARI. On July 25, 2025, Offset released the single "Professional" for the album. On August 22, 2025, Offset released his third studio album, KIARI. The album features guest appearances from YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Gunna, John Legend, JID, Key Glock, Ty Dolla $ign, YFN Lucci and Teezo Touchdown.

While accompanying YoungBoy Never Broke Again on his MASA Tour, Offset developed the mixtape Haunted by Fame, which released on October 31, 2025. The project was unveiled as a surprise release, hitting platforms just two days after being announced. Although initially conceived as an album, Offset later clarified the project was a mixtape partially created to fulfill a contractual obligation with his label. The mixtape features guest appearances from YoungBoy Never Broke Again and NoCap.

Other ventures

In 2016, Offset (including Migos) appeared in an episode of Donald Glover's series Atlanta. The episode aired on September 13, 2016, under the title "Go For Broke". He has also starred in campaigns for the fashion designers Gosha Rubchinskiy, Bryce Barnes, and Lavati.

In February 2019, Offset made his debut on Sean Evans' YouTube series Hot Ones.

In August 2019, it was announced that Offset invested in Esports organization FaZe Clan. Commenting on the investment he said "I love gaming and Esports is the future" said Offset in a release, "These two facts make it only right that I be a part of the biggest Esports organization with some of the best players in the world." He appeared in two FaZe Clan videos on YouTube.

Offset made his acting debut in NCIS: Los Angeles.

Offset has helped struggling artists by jointing Axis Replay in 2020.

Offset lost his grandmother to bladder cancer in 2012. He raised $500,000 for the American Cancer Society in 2022.

In October 2023, Offset collaborated with Howlin' Ray's to release the Howlin' Ween Offset Shake Box, a limited edition meal box that was exclusively available on Postmates and consisted of chicken nuggets and Offset's own sauce Southern Drip, which was inspired by a chicken dipping sauce that originated in North Carolina in the 1920s.