Stop Sleeping On 21 Savage: How He’s Quietly Having One Of The Best Years
Greatness can easily be overlooked when it becomes standard. We see it all the time in the NBA and LeBron James. He could win MVP every year, but voter’s fatigue robs him of the glory he deserves.
That’s kind of what’s been happening to 21 Savage over the past year and some change.
“21 savage doesn’t get enough praise for me,” a Twitter user said, gaining north of 7k likes in the process. 21 then responds saying, “I like being an underdog,” with a sad emoji.
Last year, the Atlanta resident linked with Metro Boomin to release the second installment of their Savage Mode then came back this year with the soundtrack EP for the film Spiral. That does not mention the string of features he’s been on, bodying J.Cole’s “m y . l i f e”, Drake’s “Knife Talk” and “T.O.P.” off G Herbo’s 25 album. Savage has undoubtedly been relevant.
It’s for that reason the 28-year-old is nominated in several categories for the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards, including “Hip Hop Album of The Year,” for his and Metro Boomin’s Savage Mode II, “Best Duo or Group” for the collaborative studio album and “Best Collaboration” for “Mr. Right Now” with Drake.
As the ceremonial night nears, here’s a look at all the ways 21 has made a stamp over the past year.
Enlisted Morgan Freeman
Sometimes facts have to be contextualized for them to be fully appreciated because the fact that both 21 Savage and Metro Boomin were able to snag Morgan Freeman to contribute vocals to Savage Mode II makes the album culturally important off the bat.
The London-born rapper and the St. Louis producer announced the album with an 80-second horror-movie type clip with haunted house effects and no other than Freeman’s voice-of-God baritone.
Reportedly recorded on an iPhone, the Academy Award winner is also heard throughout eight of the album’s 15 tracks, carrying the spooky theme throughout.
Spiral EP
Similarly, the fact that 21 was tapped to soundtrack the latest in the Saw series, Spiral: From The Book of Saw is no small feat either.
According to 21 Savage, the owners of Saw and his son are big fans and pleaded for him to join. After meeting, they played the movie to which, after realizing Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson, agreed.
Modeled For Virgil Abloh
Further displaying his versatility, 21 starred in Virgil Abloh’s Men's 2021 Summer Capsule Collection which premiered earlier in March.
The shot is tracked to his 2017 record “Close My Eyes,” bringing together California’s skate, art and beach aesthetics.
Shared Game on Music Business
Apart from music, Savage has also been giving up gems. In a recent interview with Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast with Gillie Da King and Wallo, he spoke on how it’s important for rappers to own their masters outright.
“I had a platinum album before I signed my [first] deal,” he revealed. “I own my masters right now. Every song you’ve ever heard, I own it. I got a 70/30 split with my label [Epic Records].”
Community Activist
Along with his musical contributions, 21 Savage is constantly giving back to the community. This year was no different, as the Grammy Award-winning held his sixth annual “Issa Back 2 School Drive” providing school supplies to thousands of kids and families.
Presented by his Leading by Example Foundation, the giveaway followed his Bank Account at Home campaign, a partnership with Chime to share smart money tips and scholarship opportunities with families across the country.
