21 Savage, I am > I was | Album Review 💿

[usr 3.5]

Following lackluster debut album Issa Album, ubiquitous rap deadpan extraordinaire 21 Savage steps up his game on his sophomore LP, ‘I am > I was.’

26-year old Atlanta rapper 21 Savage has only seen his profile elevated to the next level over the past couple of years – understatement.  It’s an interesting ascent, considering his style – deadpan, dry, and often devoid of flashiness.  Nonetheless, he’s a high-in-demand rapper. In 2017 he released his debut studio album, Issa Album.  It had its moments (“Bank Account” the crème de la crème) but fell far short of being deemed excellent – also an understatement.  On his sophomore album, I am > I was, 21 steps his game up, even if it’s dominated by the shallower things as opposed to the more transcendent or thoughtful.

“A Lot”

✓ “A Lot” opens I am > I was superbly, fueled by a prominent, perfectly suited, hella soulful, East of Underground sample.  Over the backdrop, 21 Savage delivers some potent bars and an infectious, super catchy chorus.

“How much money you got? (A lot)
How many problems you got? (A lot)
How many people done doubted you? (A lot)
Left you out to rot? (A lot).”

During the course of “A Lot,” 21 spits ‘real talk,’ something confirmed by featured guest, J. Cole. Following an interlude praising the rapper’s realness, Cole delivers a ferocious, passionate third verse. ✓ “Break da Law” follows up with a bolder, edgier sound – 21 Savage is out for blood.  On the intro, he makes it clear to “Cut the bullshit, I’m not with it.” From there, he confidently rides malicious-sounding synths and trap percussion like a champ. “If you a plate, you get ate.”

“A&T”

21 Savage trades one banger (“Break da Law”) for another, in ✓ “A&T.” What does “A&T” stand for you ask? Why “ass and titties” of course, sigh. Yung Miami drops the sexually-charged hook that confirms the strip club, seedy sensibilities of the record.  She also returns for the second verse, while 21 holds his own for the first and third verses.  It’s definitely not deep, but 21 has the pole on his mind. Once more, a sample fueled the fire on the brief “Out for the Night,” this time courtesy of Santana.  On the first verse, the most memorable line references the Drake hit, “In My Feelings”: “I was ‘in my feelings’, now it’s, ‘Fuck Kiki’ (worried ‘bout).”

A trend of relatively short bangers continues on “Gun Smoke,” which is anchored by a heavy, relentless beat, specifically the kick drum.  21 Savage continues to be hard-nosed and exude toughness, not to mention drop a clever bar every now and again.  Sure, you get lines about ‘bitches’ (“I got too many bitches, I can’t trip bro”), but there’s also a gem like “Nigga, you got asthma, you don’t want smoke.” All the listener gets from “1.5” is two-and-a-half-minutes’ worth of the rapper.  The script is the same – cockiness, confidence, and hardcore flexing.  Offset makes a guest appearance on the second verse, continuing to recycle rhymes, most notably referencing his Patek for the millionth time.  

“All My Friends” 

“All My Friends” smartly slackens the pace and changes the pace of I am > I was.  This had to happen – the bangers were growing shallower and shallower. Notably, 21 Savage’s ‘friend’ on this particularly joint is Post Malone, who drops both the chorus and the second verse, in his signature melodic style.  Does either rapper change the game up here? No, but to quote 2 Chainz, “It’s a Vibe”. On the luxurious ‘flute’ feature “Can’t Leave Without It,” 21 is assisted by Gunna (chorus and second verse) and the surprisingly ubiquitous Lil Baby (third verse).  For fans Lil Baby, like everything he releases, they’ll likely ‘eat up’ this collaboration.  At best, it’s okay, but ‘to each his own.’ ✓ “ASMR” is at least clever thanks to incorporating a whisper flow during the hook that patterns itself after autonomous sensory meridian response.  That said, not sure that the hook quite delivers that ‘tingling sensation’:

“I got lots of stripes, all my niggas shyst
You can roll the dice, you might lose your life
Keep my Desert Eagle on me, he not nothin’ nice
I just need one Glock, Nas need one mic.”

Notably, 21 Savage continues his ASMR into half of the outro, post-chorus. The lush “Ball w/o You” slackens the pace, with 21 riding the backdrop in carefree, relaxed fashion. It’s nothing game changing, but in some regards, its change of pace to hear the kinder, gentler, and softer side of the rapper.

“Good Day”

If 21 was soft on “Ball w/o You” he comes back to himself on the eerie, somewhat left-of-center banger ✓ “Good Day,” featuring BEAM, Project Pat, and ScHoolboy Q. While this isn’t as overt as the most hard-hitting bangers, it packs a mighty punch, contrasting everything else on I am > I was.  Unsurprisingly, “Good Day” uses the Ice Cube classic, “It was a Good Day”, not to mention a DJ Paul & Lord Infamous sample, “Damn I’m Crazed” as inspiration. It all starts out with the hook:

“Today was a good day, ain’t have to spray the K
Today was a good day, pour some Actavis
Today was a good day, I woke up with your bitch
Today was a good day, cross her off the list…”

From there, the rappers are on autopilot, delivering one of the true gems of I am > I was.  21 Savage goes solo once more on ✓ “Pad Lock,” where he discusses how cold his heart is, thanks to a difficult life where he was forced to be tough in order to ‘make ends meet.’ “Monster” brings Childish Gambino along for the ride, singing the chorus as well as rapping the first verse. As always, CG ‘brings the heat.’ Similarly, 21 is turned-up on the second verse. 

“Letter 2 My Momma” 

Penultimate record “Letter 2 My Momma” is among the most thoughtful of I am > I was.  As the title suggests, he’s rapping to his mom, discussing the hard times and how she was there for him throughout the adversities and tribulations. Young Nudy guests on the final song from the album, “4L.” Expectedly, “4L” is unapologetic to the nth degree – certainly not thoughtful or transcendent fare.  Hard to be thoughtful when the profanity is through the roof.

Final Thoughts

So, how does I am > I was stack up? From my perspective, I prefer I am > I was over his 2017 LP, Issa Album.  Does 21 Savage throw ample depth and substance at the listener on I am > I was? No, but there are more noteworthy moments here, even if you could argue 21 doesn’t deliver another “Bank Account,” the crowning achievement from Issa.  It may not be transcendent, but 21 Savage has his fair share of moments on this album.

✓ Gems: “A lot,” “Break da Law,” “A&T,” “ASMR,” “Good Day” & “Padlock”

[usr 3.5]

21 Savage • I am > I was • Slaughter Gang / Epic • Release: 12.21.18

Photo Credit: Slaughter Gang / Epic