21 Savage, born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, has undoubtedly made a significant impact on the music industry. His raw storytelling, his introspective lyrics and gritty delivery have resonated with audiences worldwide, earning him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. With chart-topping hits like “Bank Account” and collaborations with renowned artists, 21 Savage continues to push boundaries and solidify his place as one of the most influential figures in contemporary hip-hop.
21 Savage’s American Dream is a diary of an angel and a demon. The tension played out with a star-studded lineup of collaborators. Their baby pictures were used to promote the album, as the Grammy Award-winning artist returned to the forefront of the rap game with his third LP.
Waking up from 21’s Nightmares
His first solo album in over five years, the Atlanta artist is using the music as a soundtrack to his movie, American Dream: The 21 Savage Story (produced by Donald Glover, Stephen Glover, Jamal Olori, and Fam Udeorji).
He artfully stitches together narratives about life in Atlanta, from the streets to stardom, over soulful samples. 21 highlights the struggles and triumphs over top-tier produced beats that create an immersive listening experience. He teased the album and the movie on X.
Credit to 21 Savage X
21’s american dream to dark days
The album starts a spoken word performance by his mother, “american dream,” and ends with a heartfelt story called “dark days.” With over 55 million monthly listeners on Spotify, his lines about Gunna snitching have been all over the internet.
On “…letter to my brudda,” Mr. Savage raps… “Once you cross that line, it ain’t no tryin’ to fix it/ You want me to forgive you, let’s be realistic/ I can’t kick it with your kind like I tore my meniscus. How you go from co-defendant to a f**kin’ witness?/ They’ll stand on couches with you, but won’t stand on business/ Woah/ I watched everybody turn on my brother like he ain’t have ’em out here flyin’ jets and f**kin’ bitches/ This s**t ridiculous.”
As a friend of Young Thug, he addresses his situation but the rest of the album focuses on 21’s struggles and success within the music industry.
The Highs and Lows of Being a Savage
The music collection is a manifesto documenting life after his ICE arrest, years-long immigration battle, and 21 performing outside the States for the first time in his career. His unique ability to balance tales of hardship with aspirations of success sets the tone for the entire album.
Each track serves as a chapter in a larger, more complex story. A standout feature of the album is its collaborations because they’re integral parts of the story 21 Savage is telling. The album features the Chicago’s voice, Lil Durk, rico case-facing Young Thug, out of his world Travis Scott, and soulful Summer Walker.
21 Savage’s American Dream is Triumph and Tribulation
21 is most powerful, telling vulnerable stories that evoke emotions and inspire. He equally defines what it means to rise, struggle, and to create own version of the “American Dream.”
21 Savage defines the American Dream through his honest storytelling which resonates and draws in new listeners. He captures life’s complexities in mainstream appeal while keeping his artistic integrity.
Check out the new album here and more music reviews on Respect My Region.
