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Eight years ago, 21 Savage and Metro Boomin collaborated on an EP (Extended Play) called Savage Mode, which was independently distributed to DSPs on July 15, 2016.
The project features 10 full-length tracks. The strength and passion of Atlanta's rap game were perfectly executed on the project, which also includes a cameo appearance from fellow Georgia native Future.
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21 Savage was an upcoming artist at the time who had committed to rap full-time and had dropped a few mixtapes. The rapper was then introduced to rising producer Metro Boomin.
The two collectively helped elevate Atlanta's hip-hop landscape with a project, that although extremely dark and predictable, keeps its listeners transfixed through the gritty vibes brought forward on the EP.
A Track-by-Track review of Metro Boomin and 21 Savage's 'Savage Mode'
This EP is spent aggressively speaking on themes of gun violence, death, status, money, wealth, and success. Metro supports Savage Mode by composing a grim and eerie production allowing 21 Savage's composed delivery to shine through on the tape.
The duo's Savage Mode is a dark but enticing look at the dangers of street life and the discipline needed to survive in the "trenches". Although many may find the production of this EP to be predictable, as is usually delivered in the "Trap" genre, the short duration of this mixtape leaves listeners with several memorable moments.
Disclaimer: This review is rated explicit. Reader's discretion is advised.
No Advance
(Production Credits: Metro Boomin)
The album opens with a slow-paced flute sample and a thick bass on the track No Advance. 21 Savage spends a significant portion of this record highlighting how much his life has changed since his violent past by flexing his VVS rings, expensive cars, jewelry, and women.
An interesting point in this song appears in the first verse, where Savage explains he's still affiliated with gang members from his past and is yet to escape a lot of the excess and addictive vices he's been involved in. This is best evidenced by lines like,
"They like, Savage, boy you came a long way from that pot (I did) / I'm still a street n---a so I keep me a Glock (Pew, pew, pew) / I made it off the block, b---h, I beat the statistics / told that b---h, I got a b---h so don't you leave me with hickeys (Ya dig?) / B---h, I'm on them Percs, got me twitchin' and itchin' / Drinkin' all this syrup, I'm bout to f--k up my kidneys"
No Heart
(Production Credits: Metro Boomin and Southside)
With an extremely catchy hook, 21 Savage and Metro Boomin team up with producer Southside for a hard-hitting and standout trap record No Heart. The track has memorable lines that highlight Savage's past as a major factor for why he "trap's so hard".
Savage even references times when he was arrested and sent to the Dekalb Regional Youth Development Center for supposedly bringing a loaded weapon to school. Interesting bars from No Heart include lines like,
"Wet your mama's house, wet your grandma's house / Keep shootin' until somebody die / So many shots the neighbor looked at the calendar / Thought it was Fourth of July / You was with your friends playin' Nintendo / I was playin' 'round with that fire / Seventh grade, I got caught with a pistol / Sent me to Panthersville"
X (Feat. Future)
(Production Credits: Metro Boomin)
21 Savage and Metro Boomin team up with Atlanta rapper Future for the track X, where both rappers highlight their various relationship issues and use the track to "stunt" on their ex-partners by humorously bringing up the toxic nature of their relationship.
The intoxicating drum sequences and high trap bass elements elevate this track with a catchy rhythm where both Savage and Future effortlessly float over, delivering lines like,
"Ten bad b---hes in a mansion / Wrist on Milly Rock, them diamonds on me dancin' / When you workin' hard, then your money start expandin' / I got model b---hes wanna lick me like some candy / And them drugs come in handy / Last name Savage, b---h, but no, I'm not Randy / Hit her with no condom, had to make her eat a Plan B"
Savage Mode
(Production Credits: Metro Boomin)
On the fourth record, listeners are introduced to the titular track that explains the various reasons behind why 21 Savage and Metro Boomin are so carelessly bold or tapped into their "savage mode".
The final verse on this track breaks down how backstabbing friends, poverty, and greed for success turned him into a "savage," as seen in lines like,
"All that backstabbin' turned me to a savage (Savage) / All that f--kin' krabbin' turned me to a savage (It did) / Racks inside the mattress turned me to a savage (Racks, racks) / I turned to a savage, b---h, I gotta have it (I gotta have it)"
Bad Guy
(Production Credits: Metro Boomin)
Listeners are then introduced to an extremely braggadocio and viciously produced record titled Bad Guy. Throughout the record, 21 Savage highlights his aggressive nature toward people outside his circle while flexing his wealth and riches.
Savage also draws comparisons between his "evil" intentions and actions to terrorist Osama Bin Laden, who claimed responsibility for the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers in New York City in 2001.
"N---a better watch they mouth cause I'll spazz out / Catch a n---a down bad and I'll air it out / B---h I rep that Murder Gang and we'll clear it out / Catch a n---a main b---h and we gon' shell out"
Real N*gga
(Production Credits: Metro Boomin)
The greatest highlight of Savage Mode is the overplayed Real N*gga, which features a thick trap beat that mixes heavy 808s and an infectious flute loop that brings the realism of 21 Savage's verses to life.
The lyricism primarily revolves around Savage's appreciation for retaining his integrity, especially after achieving massive success and wealth. This matched with the rapper's unapologetic bars makes this song a very memorable listen.
"How it feel to be a real n---a / Bronx n----s say I'm ill, n---a / All the pain, had to let it go / Now it ain't no place I can't go / Watch me thumb through that bankroll / Ain't no ones in this bankroll / Ain't nothin' but blues in this b---h, n---a / On Boulevard with the Crips, n---a"
Mad High
(Production Credits: Metro Boomin)
On Mad High, the repetitive drum sequences mixed with 21's attempt at a slurred performance do less in helping the track stand out sonically, as it likely did conceptually.
The bars are superficial and predictable and find the rapper humorously citing instances of heavy intoxication that led to riffs of violent behavior, while simultaneously flexing his style and industry status.
"B---h I'm from the street, I turn a seven to a pound / I left my baby mama and I went and got a model / You can't get no guala if you don't know how to swallow / What the bombaclot, I feel like oscar cause I'm a shotta / You say you gettin' money what you using as your product?"
Feel It
(Production Credits: Metro Boomin and Zaytoven)
On Feel It, listeners are introduced to an eerie, bouncy composition credited to the teamwork of Zaytoven and Metro Boomin.
The rapper's lyricism finds him longing for intimacy in a relationship with his partner, with Savage even drawing comparisons between them and the romanticized "Bonnie and Clyde."
"She think a n---a f--kin' groupies, I'm just grindin' hard / Your family said we wouldn't last, but we beat the odds / Bonnie and Clyde, she was with a n---a stealin' cars / These streets so dirty, I just want someone who really there / Can't fake love, I just want someone who really care"
Ocean Drive
(Production Credits: Metro Boomin and Southside)
21 Savage and Metro Boomin close off Savage Mode with a deep bass trap production, assisted by Southside, on the track titled Ocean Drive. The title of the record appears to be a reference to Ocean Drive, Miami, a luxurious and very vibrant locality in Florida.
The song's lyricism primarily revolves around 21's identity, with the rapper proclaiming that although he's attained the wealthiest of lives, he's still affiliated with people and members from his past. These bars suggest Savage is a threat to those who criticize him, given he's always armed and ready for conflict, as seen on lines like,
"I can't leave the house without my Glock 9 / I can't go nowhere without my Glock 9 / I'm sippin' codeine all on Ocean Drive / Poppin' percocets on Rodeo Drive / Baby roll the window up and let's get high / You ain't no real n---a if you testify"
The brooding collection of tracks on Savage Mode made this EP standout, not just during the year it came out, but amongst 21 Savage and Metro Boomin's entire discography.
The collaboration was commercially successful and considered an ode to the amazing capabilities of Atlanta's young and upcoming rap game.
