“They thought I only rapped about murder and pistols/ I’m tryna feed my family I aint being political.”- 21 Savage
Upon 21 Savage’s introduction to hip-hop’s forefront in 2015, he occupied the space of rap’s resident evil. He had the appearance and image that is terrifying to middle America and lyrics that were so violently graphic they could give Dan Quayle nightmares. 21’s breakthrough single “Red Opps” was released in 2015 and it was as menacing of a record as you will hear from a new artist. With lyrics like “I just bought a pistol it got 30 rounds in it/pull up at yo mama house and put some rounds in it,” there wasn’t anything normal about 21 Savage in the new realm of hip-hip. It was as if 21 was arriving and occupying a space that was once held by Gucci Mane and Chief Keef after him, the space of the villain.
When Savage Mode was released in 2016 the project showed the star potential of 21 and his ability to mesh his grim lyrics with the dark and harrowing production of Metro Boomin. Savage Mode spawned two platinum singles, “X” and “No Heart”, officially making 21 a familiar name in not only hip-hop circles but staple in pop culture. His signature phrase “Issa” took on a life of it’s own after his DJ Vlad interview and he would go on to do songs with Drake and receive shoutouts from none other than Jay Z.
If Savage Mode was 21’s introduction to stardom, then Issa Album is him fully embracing that stardom and even pushing himself as an artist. There are more melodies being used here than there were on Savage Mode, more singing than expected. The DJ Mustard produced “FaceTime” is unlike anything 21 Savage has released before and may end up being the biggest hit produced from the album. Lyrics such as “I won’t take your love for granted if you don’t take mine” show a side of 21 that hasn’t been seen before. A stark juxtaposition to what 21’s image is and has been built off of. “Special” is another example of 21 stepping out of his comfort zone, rapping about being in love with a lover who has him in his feelings and how loyal she will be to him. Never to be confused for a romantic, the types of lyrics are a complete 180 from 21 stunting on his ex-bitch and having no heart. There will be connections to the songs having to deal with his new girlfriend Amber Rose, but they could just be 21 wanting to push himself past boundaries that may have been in front of him as an artist. A sign of growth.
The most impressive aspect of Issa is 21 opening up to the world around him and coming to grips with the gravity of the life he has lived and the effect of the violence that surrounds him. ” Sometimes I look at God and I wonder “why,” nigga/ Why my niggas had to be the ones that had to die, nigga/ They killed one, we gon’ kill 5, nigga” on the third verse of “Close My Eyes.” This was 21’s reality jus two years ago, before the fame and success, and he’s never touched on it in depth like this before, only in vague references of aimless violence. On “Nothin New” he attempts to dig deeper into more politically charged discussion, referencing his slave ancestry, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Lives Matter Movement.
There are, of course, still the typical bangers that have come to be expected from 21 Savage littered throughout the album. “Bank Account” is a standout that shows the exceptional synergy that he and Metro Boomin have together. “Bad Business,” and “Thug Life,” are hard hitting records that have been the foundation of 21’s sound and career to this point. On Issa, 21 finds himself experimenting with melodies and sounds that he hasn’t before, showing growth as an artist and fully embracing his stardom while still maintaining the authenticity he has become known for as a street rapper, arguably the top one. A blend of money, love, and violence, Issa peels back all the layers of 21, exposing him and all of his different personalities as an artist and as a man.
Kameron Hay 