Album Review: american dream by 21 Savage
Album Review: american dream by 21 Savage
21 Savage returns with his first solo effort in almost six years, with his often trap-indebted tracks here with threat and head-on the long-standing queries about the UK-born rapper's origin story.
21 Savage has made a triumphant return to the solo spotlight with his latest studio album, american dream. It’s been a substantial interval since his last individual project, i am > i was, which came out in 2018, and his collaboration projects with Metro Boomin (Savage Mode II) and Drake (Her Loss). This new release is a reflection of his personal and artistic growth over half a decade marked by victories and challenges, including his well-documented immigration battles that have now found resolution.
The record unfolds as an intimate narrative, chronicling the unique experiences of the artist. The exceptional production elevates the work, creating an immersive backdrop for 21 Savage’s candid lyrical narratives and sharp delivery. These elements transport the audience back through time, offering a glimpse into the rapper’s life journey.
In the track “all of me,” 21 Savage lays down his characteristic relaxed cadence over a sample from Rose Royce that’s rich with soul. He takes us through a personal history lesson, exploring his early years, which were intertwined with adversity and unlawful events. The artist, who relocated from England to Atlanta’s tough neighborhoods at just seven years old, doesn’t hold back as he reflects on the experiences that have molded him. His initial foray into film, american dream: the 21 savage story, goes even deeper, providing context and fleshing out the stories behind the lyrics.
Lyrically, it highlights Savage’s experiences, blending the harsh realities of his past with introspective musings on his present state. The hook, “See, my shooter pescatarian, but he eat up all the beef/You gave me your ass to kiss, but want the all of me/I stand on business, dot my I’s and cross my T’s,” encapsulates his life’s dichotomies: violence and peace, betrayal and loyalty, chaos, and order. These lines show Savage’s ability to navigate the complexities of his environment while maintaining his integrity.
Savage delves into his childhood, marked by crime and tragedy, and his journey from the streets of Atlanta to the heights of the music industry. His lyrics reflect a deep understanding of his past and how it continues to influence him. His true story, including “Came from rats and roaches/I seen plenty homicides and still kept my focus,” highlights his determination to rise above his circumstances despite the environment he grew up in early in his life.
With the KXVI-sample-based “letter to my brudda,” he raps about themes of trust and betrayal. Lines like “Once you cross that line, it ain’t no tryin’ to fix it,” followed up with “How you go from co-defendant to a f**kin’ witness?” poignantly express the pain of betrayal by close associates. The reference to personal struggle and the sacrifices made for others, as seen in lines like “I know you took clothes off your back for ni**as you call brother,” highlights the depth of these relationships and the hurt that comes from their breakdown.
The second verse shifts to a more introspective tone, emphasizing the rapper’s journey and growth. The line “Take the mask off all my enemies that’s out here actin’ like my friends” reflects a plea for redemption and the recognition of the duplicitous nature of those around him. The struggle between maintaining his connection to his roots and evolving beyond his past is evident in lines like “If I take care of my hood, the prosecutor call me Gotti/Turn my back on the hood, they prolly kill me, prolly rob me.”
The song concludes with an outro that serves as a reflection on the rules of the streets and the often harsh realities that come with it. This part of the song resonates with an understanding that while the street code may no longer hold the same value, the experiences and lessons learned continue to shape one’s perspective and approach to life.
Beyond the Savage’s come-up story, you get the usual mainstream rap and R&B songs with the Faith Evans-sampled “prove it” with Summer Walker and “should’ve wore a bonnet” with Brent Faiyaz. But we’re also greeted with dark, bass-heavy bangers with “redrum” that features oddly additional vocals from Usher at the end, “sneaky,” “see the real,” and Honorable C-N.O.T.E.’s undeniable trunk-rattling, “red sky.”
Speaking of producers, his partner-in-crime, Metro Boomin, pops up on four songs with “pop ur shit” featuring Young Thug with a decent feature, “dangerous,” that coincides with Lil Durk, who delivers one of his best verses, “just like me” has 21 reflecting on the expectations of love, featuring a hook from Burna Boy, and “née-nah” with Travis Scott, that harkens back to Savage Mode II.
The album closes out with “dark days” with vocals from Mariah the Scientist. It’s another reflective track that digs deep into the struggles and realities of street life, balanced with an introspective look at personal growth and the consequences of one’s actions. He addresses the allure of gang life and its dire consequences, emphasizing the value of self-love and education as a pathway to a better life.
Mariah the Scientist’s hook complements the verse with its haunting and melancholic tone, echoing the inevitability of facing the repercussions of one’s choices. “I ask myself, was it all worth the risk?” encapsulates the central theme of the song, questioning the value of risky endeavors in the pursuit of success.
The second verse continues with 21 Savage’s reflective narrative, acknowledging the pain and loss inherent in street life and the inner conflict it creates. Lines like “Gangsta, but I still cry when nobody around” and “Never do no suicide, but I’d be lyin’ if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind” reveal a vulnerable side to the rapper, often masked by a tough exterior. The verse ends on a note of hope and redemption, with Savage choosing a path of growth and leaving behind a life of crime.
At its core, american dream centers on unfiltered truths, with some flaws, with 21 Savage seeming to be finding solace in his history while paying homage to the durability of his former self, who has weathered many storms to share their stories.
Solid (★★★½☆)
Favorite Track(s): “letter to my brudda,” “née-nah,” “red sky”