21 Savage's explosion on to the scene in the last 12 months culminated in his latest project Savage Mode, featuring the immaculately curated executive production of Metro Boomin. The tape, a 9-track meditation on 21's remorseless life of crime and vice, marked a coronation of sorts as he formally acquired the title of Atlanta's hottest rapper.
Get to know 21 Savage and click through the gallery to listen to 10 of his most essential tracks.
"Skrrt Skrrt"
While 21 Savage always keeps his diabolical shenanigans in the foreground, one of his strengths is that he occasionally alludes to death of the innocent teen pregnancy, drug use, and other problems that plague his hood (thus providing stark and much-needed relief):
"Stray bullets hitting kids while they playing hop scotch
16 and pregnant, told her momma and a fucking tear drop
And that's my soda, that's my stove and that's my pot
21"
"Red Opps"
21's most-watched video on YouTube by a huge margin, "Red Opps" is about his enemies, all of whom are are "counterfeits." 21 would literally rather die than be labeled as such.
"One Foot"
Sonny Digital-produced "One Foot" repurposes the classic children's song "The Hokey-Pokey." 21 kicks his energy level up a few notches to let people know that rapping is merely his side-hustle.
"Dip Dip"
Roughly 75% of 21 Savage's videos involve some sort of robbery. In "Dip Dip," he enlists a pair of ladies to his dirty work for him. The song is easily one of his catchiest; Zaytoven's infectious, bouncy production provides a breath of fresh air from the sort of hellish, humorless beats 21 typically raps over (often those supplied by his go-to producer, Fukk 12.
"Dirty K" feat. Lotto Savage
"Dirty K" is an ode to 21's weapon of choice, the AK-47.
"I got ya bitch blowing dick, like a hookah stick" is an oddly devastating line.
"Lord Forgive"
Another Fukk 12 production, "Lord Forgive" indicates that 21 possesses a certain level of self-awareness. He asks for the lord's forgiveness and a few seconds later rap "I just nutted on her face" -- he is not just living a life of sin, but embracing it.
"No Heart"
On "No Heart," 21 Savage endeavors to answer the question, "Young Savage, why you trappin' so hard?" Like much of Savage Mode, the track explores a new realm of the trap production aesthetic; the beat connotes night-time creepin', or possibly the slow, cold pulse of a murderous heart.
"X Bitch" feat. Future
Metro Boomin's production on What a Time to Be Alive evokes the image of a jewel-encrusted Rolex glittering in the spotlight. (Or maybe that's just the cover art?) "X Bitch" evokes diamonds glistening gently under murky water, under a dim light.
"Feel It"
For all his posturing and talk of nutting on girls' faces, at the end of the day 21 Savage craves emotional intimacy. “These streets so dirty I just want someone who really there/ Can’t fake love, just want someone who really care."
"Ocean Drive"
Metro Boomin's production on "Ocean Drive" is organized around a reversed synth, adding to the impression that 21 Savage is contemplating the passage of time. He reflects on his journey from the streets to glamorous, triumphant Ocean Drive -- although as he notes, "my auntie still smokin' blow." The hood is 21's home, and that's the central tension that runs throughout his music -- he wants to get out, he wants to never leave.
