Album Review: american dream | 21 Savage
If I had a nickel for every time 21 surprise dropped an album in January with all lowercase track titles, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.
21 Savage, hot off his It's All a Blur tour with Drake, did not leave fans wondering for long, surprise dropping his third studio solo album, american dream. 21 has had some impressive solo albums, most notably the Grammy-nominated i am > i was. The project contained some notable tracks, including 1.5, asmr, and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Rap Song, a lot.
On this go around, it's unsure if american dream could achieve a similar level of acclaim. 21 Savage has always been capable of creating viral and impressive works of art within hip-hop. Yet, this project proves it not as second nature for him as it may seem.
Since his emergence onto the main stage in 2016, 21 savage has been a cultural force to be reckoned with. Capitalizing on the popularity of trap music and mastering his own sub-genre, 21 savage rose into popularity with tracks like No Heart and X (feat. Future). These two heavy-hitting tracks were significant in establishing 21 Savage as one the most influential voices coming out of the rap scene in Atlanta. It wasn't long before 21's lyrics started to circulate into casual conversation and get recited in high schools across the nation. 21 Savage has made his brand stand out with his lyrics, and you can almost predict the type of bars that are going to be on this album. “Standing on business" has quickly become THE phrase in 2024 for grind culture to use as a reason to take care of your responsibilities and not mess around. 21 Savage beautifully capitalizes this on the highlight track redrum. "He stood on business now he laying on his back," MORE HERE
21's lyrics on this album take his philosophy of creating virality to an extreme. He has heavily seasoned this record with some odd moments. "I'll pop at his ass, he a pimple (21)" and "It smell like ass, I think somebody poop." Lyrics like this, whose function is to create virality, make us question the intentions of an artist when it can feel like they are specifically creating a song just for viral success on TikTok.
Despite this being a solo venture, 21 Savage enlists help from many collaborators on american dream. Memorable performances from Young Thug, Travis Scott, and longtime collaborator Metro Boomin fill this album with some refreshing perspectives at the right moments. 21 Savage cleverly recruits Doja Cat to join him on n.h.i.e., which is another highlight on this record. Doja pulls off silly ad-libs on this track, using the term "ad-lib" as an actual ad-lib. "Yeah I would never lie (Ad-lib) I would never try (Ad-lib)"
Going into this album, The introductory track initially led me to believe that we will learn more about 21's memed about past - his immigration from the UK, growing up in ATL, and understanding his "american dream." Unfortunately, not a ton was revealed from that avenue. The most insightful track on this record comes from letter to my brudda, which is an exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and and expressing the difficulty of repairing trust that has been broken. Later on the track, 21 looks for forgiveness for his past sins and reflects on his journey to mainstream rap success to consider whether it was worth it. Savage also shows growth and wisdom on closing track dark days, where he urges his young listeners to stay away from the street lifestyle and to “put the guns down” and encouraging them to value their education “I know it might sound lame, but just stay in school.”
If you like 21 Savage, you'll like this album. He's not re-inventing himself or improving on anything he has done before. He shines when he gets introspective, but we rarely see much of that on this record. We're satisfied with the couple of hits we'll get from this album.
Check out our favorite tracks, listen to the album, and see our scores below:
Can’t Miss: redrum, n.h.i.e, nee-nah
You Can Skip: see the real, just like me, should’ve worn a bonnet
BY THE NUMBERS
Bennett’s Score: 5.60
Carson’s Score: 5.73
Album Score: 11.33
Notes from Bennett:
Rap was tough in 2023. Huge shoutout to 21 for making a good start here. I enjoyed some parts here, but not nearly as much as I enjoyed his last solo album. but still, enjoyed it.
My least favorite part of this album is how lazy it gets here. The last three songs especially "red sky” are just some demo 21 bought from the featured artist. it’s not for this album it is weird.
unsure how I feel about the Travis Scott feature here. it’s unique….
Young Thug carries on pop us sh*t
I kinda like dangerous, lil durk sounds great here and has great verse, 21 uses a simple formula and it sounds nice. good song.
huge fan of the intro and outro, the most explicit storytelling available on this album, unfortunately, however.
Notes from Carson:
Haven’t really found a rap album I’ve liked in a while, honestly since Metro Boomin’s last record, but this will do.
I like the mhmmm part on sneaky. It makes for an interesting song. Boring lyrics tho.
21 Savage is one of the more consistent hitmakers in rap the past decade, so I expect this album to continue to do numbers the rest of the year. redrum is going to be huge. It’s a really good song that I think cleverly nod’s at The Shining in it’s outro.
Unfortunately, there are still some forgettable tracks on this project. see the real and just like me really drag the album down. I want to really like should’ve wore a bonnet but it feels like a waste of a sample.
The opening track by his mother is a cute way to open the album and “set the scene” it’s too bad the rest of the album didn’t continue to build on this narrative.
I love Summer Walker but prove it doesn’t quite work. It’s not the R&B/Rap collab he was pining for.
Are you Lobsessed with Pop Lobster? Hit subscribe below or share with a friend!
Here’s our all-time top albums featured on Pop Lobster. Lana lands in the top 10!
Funk Wav Bounces, Vol 1 | Calvin Harris | Score: 16.60
GUTS | Olivia Rodrigo | Score: 16.33
Speak Now | Taylor Swift | Score: 15.68
1989 | Taylor Swift | Score 15.67
SOS | SZA | Score 15.22
Heaven knows | PinkPantheress | Score: 14.85
the record | boygenius | Score: 14.48
Lover | Taylor Swift | Score: 14.42
AUSTIN | Post Malone | Score: 14.41
Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd | Lana Del Rey | Score: 14.38
Sunburn | Dominic Fike | Score: 14.33
Zach Bryan / Zach Bryan | Score: 14.19
Midnights | Taylor Swift | Score 14.09
Endless Summer Vacation | Miley Cyrus | Score: 14.00
Unreal Unearth | Hozier | Score: 14.00
In The End It Always Does | The Japanese House | Score: 13.92
Barbie: The Album | Various Artists | Score: 13.88
Gag Order | Kesha | Score: 13.77
The Age of Pleaure | Janelle Monáe | Score: 13.21
Snow Angel | Reneé Rapp | Score: 13.00
UTOPIA | Travis Scott | Score: 12.79
The Album | Jonas Brothers | Score: 12.67
I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet | Del Water Gap | Score: 12.58
Bewitched | Laufey | Score: 12.50
THE FIRST TIME | The Kid Laroi | Score: 12.47
Stick Season | Noah Kahan | Score: 12.43
The Show | Niall Horan | Score: 11.42
For All The Dogs | Drake | Score: 11.35
American Dream | 21 Savage | Score: 11.33
Scarlet | Doja Cat | Score: 11.24
Pink Friday 2 | Nicki Minaj | Score: 10.67