“The goal remains unchanged: For my son to grow into a man and live freely in his American dream.” This line opens “American dream,” the first track of 21 Savage’s latest album, spoken by his mother, Heather Joseph. It encapsulates the album’s exploration of how to honor those who sacrificed for your success.
Joseph reflects on her sacrifices, stating, “And what I wanted was an afterthought/ The idea of providing him proper chances/ Helped me to never stop moving forward.” This idea resonates throughout the project, emphasizing 21’s determination to persevere through life’s challenges, embodying the lessons imparted by his mother. The album shines when 21 taps into this emotional depth. There’s no need for the gimmicks present in “Issa Album” or “Savage Mode II”. Instead, “American dream” showcases a more introspective side of 21, as he uses the studio as a diary for self-reflection. While not bitter, he recognizes his worth and the hard work his family has put into his success. On “letter to my brudda,” he raps over a soulful sample: “I watched everybody turn on my brother like he ain’t have them out here flying jets and fucking bitches.”
In an interlude, he articulates the harsh realities of his upbringing: “You know, we be coming from, like, the worst conditions… The trenches, the gutter/ And sometimes we be forced to make decisions that we don’t even wanna make.” This honesty drives the album. On “see the real,” playful chiptune elements and a quirky drum beat create a space for him to express his emotions. However, some of the earlier nihilism returns in “see the real” when he observes, “Another body get dropped, I don’t feel different.” He grapples with the pull of his past, rapping, “My dog don’t want nothing out of life but to kill n*ggas/ And they wonder why I’m still with them.” This internal struggle adds depth to the album’s strongest moments.
“pop ur shit” adheres to familiar Atlanta trap sounds, supported by Metro Boomin’s production and an unexpected feature from Young Thug. Yet, there are times when 21 stumbles. In “pop ur shit,” he awkwardly states, “It smell like gas, I think somebody pooped.” Intended as humor, it falls flat. Another misstep is “red sky,” a conventional pop-rap track that feels uninspired. The intro by Mikky Ekko lacks originality, relying on clichéd elements that seem outdated. Once again, 21 makes an odd reference to feces: “Live on the toilet, I stay on my shit.”
These low points are particularly frustrating amidst some of 21’s best work to date. The album thrives on its emotional tension, but falters when he aims for radio-friendly hits or coasts through tracks. It seems he needs to set aside his media training to delve into the more interesting aspects of his psyche. In 2019, 21 Savage faced near-deportation by ICE, a stark reminder of the darker side of the American dream. The album excels when it confronts these complex realities. However, it stumbles on a few missteps that detract from the overall impact. Ultimately, “American dream” is a success when it stays true to its core message; at its weakest moments, 21 Savage feels, as he might put it, full of crap.
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