Rapper 21 Savage’s second studio album “i am > i was” dropped right before the New Year on Dec. 21. Although it was released in 2018, it has earned its place in 2019. It contains hefty and clever lyrics packed with more than just vowels and rhymes, great featured artists and a cohesive yet unique tracklist, making this album a convert for those previously uninterested in 21 Savage.

Lyricism is an important element of a good song, especially for rappers, but for many, it feels like the new generation of rappers are falling short of thought and cleverness in their music. Savage doesn’t fall short for even one song on “i am > i was” and the depth and witty songwriting shines through. The second song on the tracklist, “break da law,” sets the mood for lyrics to come. Savage warns that he and his friends are not to be trifled with, saying, “don’t you cross the gang, dawg, we’re like barbed wire.” Anyone from Texas likely knows what barbed wire fences can do to the skin if one tries to climb it or step over, and Savage sends a clear message that anyone who betrays his group with endure the same consequences. Although all the songs on the album are well written, “asmr” takes first place. It has so many catching and memorable lines with depth, wit and rhyme, making it a triple threat. Savage is no stranger to bragging about his time spent in the Atlanta streets, but in the second verse of “asmr,” he takes a more solemn approach, saying that, “I done did a lot in the streets and them facts; PTSD like I came from Iraq.” Savage is not only opening up about a possible mental illness, but also comparing living on the streets to warfare. Savage is showing a part of him that hasn’t been seen on “issa album” or his collaboration with Offset, “Without Warning.” Savage’s lyrics throughout the album aren’t forced or phony, and although they are simple at times, they are never cheesy. The lyrics feel mature, not in content, but they feel thought out, even when the most simple.

An album with zero featured artists would’ve worked and still brought this album success, but the artists featured work well with Savage’s style and the beat. J. Cole is featured in “a lot,” “1.5” features Offset, who is no stranger to working with Savage, Post Malone is featured in “all my friends,” breakout artists Lil Baby and Gunna are featured in “can’t leave without it,” Schoolboy Q and Project Pat are featured in “good day,” “monster” features Childish Gambino, and the later release of “out for the night pt. 2” features Travis Scott. Other than those featured vocals, Metro Boomin is a featured writer and producer, and Juicy J and Carlos Santana are also featured writers. These features sound amazing and are well produced. The artists’ voices mesh well with Savage’s, and their lyrics are on par with his in both content and maturity. What makes them better is Savage didn’t need features on any of the songs to put out an outstanding album, but the features greatly enhance already good songs.

The album consists of many different topics, but they somehow sound cohesive. Listeners can tell this is all the same album without each song having to sound weirdly similar. The first track is “a lot,” which is all about bragging about money and Savage’s handiwork with a gun, which came with years of practice in the streets (or so he says). It mostly consists of Savage asking the same short 15 questions, and being answered by Savage saying “a lot” after each question. It’s followed by “break da law” and has similar content to “a lot,” and the more melodic, and sometimes even sweet, “out for the night” follows. Savage may start the song out as his usual self, but by the hook, he’s singing about a woman he seems attached to, saying that she’s his “ride or die,” and that they’re “like Bonnie [and] Clyde.” It’s sweetness is short, as it’s only two minutes and 17 seconds long, making it the shortest song on the album. From this point, the songs go back to a cold and distant Savage reminiscing his days in a violent life in “gun smoke”  and “1.5.” There’s another break between the guns and money with “all my friends,” which focuses on the fact that while one grows famous, the people around them grow greedy, and no one knows who to trust with something as simple as their friendship. Songs like “can’t leave without it,” good day,” “pad lock,” and “4L” mostly focus on past time in prison, the streets, guns, selling drugs, and his group. Between it, “monster” provides another look into the downsides of fame and wealth. Savage, featuring Childish Gambino, talks about how money, fame, and power are dangerous to oneself, saying they make a monster. Lastly, in a purely sweet and touching soundtrack, Savage gives thanks to his mother who gave her all as a single mother in “letter 2 my momma.” He acknowledges how she tirelessly worked for him, even when he would ditch school and get in all sorts of trouble. All of these songs are different in their own ways, whether it be content or sound, and although they’re different, they make a cohesive album.

If this album had to have a rating, it would break the scale. There isn’t a single bad song and not even a skippable song. “i am > i was” is currently in the second spot on the Billboard Top 200 Albums and held the top position for about two weeks. The album also earned its place in the number one spot on the U.S. iTunes chart. This album, in sales and in content, is 21 Savage’s best so far.