The American Dream Reimagined, From the Perspective of an Atlanta Raised, British Born Rapper

21 Savage Album Review

The Atlanta metro region has dominated the rap game for quite some time. On the heels of Gucci, Jeezy, Migos, André 3000, TI, Future, and Young Thug, we have Lil Baby and 21 Savage as leaders of Rap's new school from the city. 

Grammy Award-winning artist, 21 Savage, although a product of the Atlanta music scene, was born in London. The rapper moved to the United States with his Mother at age 7, but many fans were not aware of his birthright or immigration status until his recent arrest in 2019 by US Immigration and Customs Support (ICE) for overstaying his Visa. This arrest and detention caused the rapper to miss the 2019 Grammys, where he was nominated and scheduled to perform with Post Malone. This arrest led to a 2-year journey between the rapper's lawyers and ICE, fortunately resulting in 21 Savage becoming a legal resident of the United States in 2023 and receiving his green card.

Before the release of this latest album in January 2024, 21 Savage had two independent studio albums under his belt, 2017's Issa Album and 2018's I Am>I Was.

The rapper’s second album earned him his first Grammy for ‘A Lot’ featuring J.Cole, for Best Rap Song at the 2020 Grammy Awards.

He has also released two collaborative albums, Without Warning alongside Offset in 2017 and Her Loss alongside Drake in 2022. 

On January 8th, the artist announced he would be releasing a film, titled American Dream: The 21 Savage Story,  on July 4, 2024. The Movie poster reveals leading stars, Donald Glover and Caleb McLaughlin. Based on the extended film preview, Donald Glover will be playing an adult 21 Savage and Caleb McLaughlin will be playing 21 Savage in adolescence. P Valley’s Gail Bean appears to be playing the rapper's mother and Bel Air's Jabari Banks is playing Metro Boomin.

Although the film’s trailer was only 4 minutes, it appears to focus heavily on the rapper’s ICE case while also giving us insight into the rapper's troubled upbringing and criminal history leading up to the arrest. An Independence Day release date is also no coincidence, considering before 2023, the artist's legal status in America was uncertain and a possible deportation was under serious consideration. The release date feels like a personal testimony and reclamation of newfound freedom through legal citizenship.

Although the movie is not scheduled to be released until July, the film soundtrack and 21 Savage’s third studio album was released Friday, January 12, 2024.

The American Dream album consists of 15 tracks and 8 features including Young Thug, Travis Scott, Summer Walker, Brent Faiyaz, Summer Walker, Doja Cat, Burna Boy, Mariah the Scientist, and Lil Durk. The album also includes 3 Metro Boomin-produced tracks. 

Many would assume it’s early in the rapper's career to be releasing a Biopic adjacent film, however, due to the rarity of the rapper's immigration journey and the controversial immigration policies soon to be discussed in the upcoming Presidential election, the timing couldn't be more perfect.

There's no denying that American Dream is the most cohesive and sonically pleasing album in the rapper's series. There's also a pervasive theme throughout the album of deep introspection, heightened self-awareness, and redemption, no doubt a response to the unfortunate immigration debacle he's recently overcome. 

And the growth and maturity between this album and his previous release I Am>I Was, is palpable on the Intro and closing track ‘Dark Days’ featuring Mariah the Scientist. It is also refreshing to hear the rapper lean into the melodic space with multiple rhythmic songs including ‘Prove It’ feat Summer Walker, and ‘Should’ve Wore A Bonnet' featuring Brent Faiyaz. 

Unexpected album highlights include the ‘Wishing on A Star’, sample by Rose Royce on ‘All of Me’, and the ‘I Don’t Want To Do Anything’ sample by Mary J Blige, K-Ci Hailey on ‘Should've Wore a Bonnet’ featuring Brent Faiyaz. These tracks also reveal that the rapper is finally in a safe romantic space, most likely a reflection of a rumored relationship with fellow Atlanta rapper Latto.

In tracks like ‘Pop Ur Shit’, ‘Redrum’ and ‘Red Sky' he conveniently reminds us that he has lost none of his southern flare, fearless spirit, and savage-adjacent edge, all of which inspired his stage name.

Unsure if 21 Savage will be going back on tour, since he recently completed It Was All a Blur Tour with Drake in Summer 2023, but I am genuinely looking forward to viewing the film American Dream immediately upon release on Independence Day.

Well Done Sir Savage.

Easy Listening, The Urban Music Enthusiast