21 Savage: The Ascension to the Upper Echelon

21 Savage is a Rap Superstar.

21 Savage came into the game in a way reminiscent of 50 Cent, not in buzz but in authenticity. In a now iconic 2016 interview, 21 Savage detailed how he had gotten involved in the East Atlanta streets around the age of 13. You could see the authenticity in 21 Savage early. Similar to 50, he was shot multiple times, and had gang ties himself. It was only fitting that his first hit, Red Opps embodied everything 21 Savage was representing. The gangster image that many chase naturally lined up with 21 Savage because of his demeanor and personality. I was outside when Red Opps was out, in fact I was really at this party in a certain part of Houston and I could feel the energy change when that song came on. You saw the street dudes throw up their sets and raise their bandanas when that song came on because they felt like 21 was speaking for them.

Red Opps was great, but it was just ONE song. Do you know how many artists have just made one hit song? And to be clear, Red Opps was more of an underground hit. Savage hadn’t popped yet…