Image via Getty/Erika Goldring
Anticipation is higher than ever for 21 Savage's next album, after he stole the show on Metro Boomin's Not All Heroes Wear Capes with a trio of excellent features last week.
It's been a year and a half since 21 dropped his last full-length solo project, Issa Album, which served as the follow-up to his Savage Mode collaborative tape with Metro Boomin. 21, who only started rapping seriously in early 2015, was the rap underdog you wanted to root for—creating an album with certified hitmakers Metro, Zaytoven, Southside, Jake One, Pi’erre Bourne, DJ Mustard, and more. Then on Issa Album, 21's sound became more polished as he extended his subject matter to address newfound fame.
21's next move is shrouded in mystery. Some fans have speculated that his next full-length will be Without Warning 2—a follow-up to the October 2017 collaborative tape he created with Metro and Offset. 21 hasn't confirmed anything, though. Even with scarce details available, it's clear fans can’t wait to see what he has planned next. Following the breadcrumbs of knife and purple demon emojis, here’s what we do know about 21 Savage’s next album:
He's Going Back to His Gangster Roots
21 Savage’s next album will go back to his gangster roots, possibly mirroring some of the lyrical content and sound found on 2015 street classics Slaughter King, The Slaughter Tape, and Free Guwop. In an interview with XXL for the magazine’s Spring 2018 issue, 21 revealed that while fans want the “Bank Account”-sounding music, he needs to get back to basics. “I’m going back gangsta,” he says. “I’m going back to what brought me in the door… I wanna get back on some gangsta shit 'cause I feel like everybody rap about money and cars all day. Like they say I be rap about too much guns and shit, but that's what the hell be going on. That's what really be going on, like, in real life.” He continued, “Everybody don’t have a Bentley in real life. There’s very few people that have a Bentley. There’s a lot of people that got guns that ain’t got shit. I’m trying to go back more to that side on this album.”
It's Coming in "Octember" (or December 7)
Fans have been waiting for an update on a sophomore LP since 21 Savage dropped Issa Album in July 2017, and they got a hint when he tweeted “Savage Summer” in May. Months later, in August, he teased again that something was coming in the fourth quarter of the year. Then he hinted at an “Octember” release. But if we’re going by Dr. Seuss rules, unfortunately, “Octember” doesn't narrow things down: “The first of Octember” is a day when all your most outlandish wishes come true.
UPDATED November 5, 4:45 p.m. ET: According to a new tweet from 21 Savage on November 5, it seems the new album will likely arrive on December 7, 2018.
He Wants to be a Voice for People Who Aren't Normally Heard
21 Savage wants to be a vessel for people who are struggling with harsh realities. Whether he’s admitting that he still hangs out in his old neighborhood, or going off on Atlanta rappers because they don’t stand for something, it's clear he wants to connect with listeners who can relate to his story. Though he doesn’t want to promote violence, he says he does want to be the one voicing its circumstances, because “the rest of America don’t hear them type of people.” He told XXL, “It’s very few people who can speak for them, like what they really coming from or going through. So, that’s what I want to go back to.”
He Has Dropped Hints About Possible Collaborators
21 Savage hasn't confirmed any guests on his next album yet, but he has been open about his dream collaborators. His list includes Rihanna, SZA, Beyoncé, and Pharrell. He has also talked about working with Nicki Minaj (“No Flag”) and Cardi B (“Bartier Cardi”) in previous interviews, and has mentioned everyone from Childish Gambino and Young Nudy to Post Malone and Gucci Mane. He has shared that his next album will have R&B elements, so you can expect 21 Savage to adopt a melody-driven (maybe a Future or Travis Scott approach) to some of the tracks.
Other potential guest appearances on his album could be BlocBoy JB, who was also photographed in the studio with 21 and Metro Boomin. Of course, frequent collaborators Quavo, Offset, Future, and Lil Yachty all have high chances to be on the LP, if he decides to use any features at all.
He Has Been in the Studio With Pharrell
21 Savage’s dream collaboration might actually be coming true. He was spotted in the studio with Pharrell back in March, and in May, during an interview withBillboard on the Billboard Music Awards red carpet, he teased the pair were working on “hits” that were “to be announced.”
Of course, it's unclear whether the Skateboard P session was for this upcoming album or not. 21 did gush about the idea of working with him to XXL, though, saying he’s been listening to him forever and that he’s a “creative ass motherfucker. Everything he do just be fye, to me.” His favorite song right now is Migos’ “Stir-Fry,” which Pharrell produced. The instrumental came from an old beat pack from 2008.
The Album Is Finished
When fans will get the new 21 Savage album remains to be seen. However, the project finished—at least according to a recent Instagram post.
Despite his cryptic tweets regarding a 2018 release date (he has written “1?.?6.18” and “??.??.18” on Twitter), some have ran with the idea that it’s coming out on Friday, Nov. 30.
21’s manager Kei Henderson (who has confirmed the album is in the works) seemed to debunk this rumor on Twitter, though.
Still, 21 seems excited to share what he’s been working on, giving fans a golden grill smile while listening to his music.
Whenever the album drops, 21 has promised it will reflect an improved version of himself—as an artist and as a person. Speaking with XXL about his goals, he said, “Just going up, getting bigger as an artist. More music. Just being a better person in life. Being a better father. Just being a better everything. Just being a better brother, better boyfriend. Just everything. Better son. Just leveling up.”
It’s about to be a savage winter.