Rapper 21 Savage made a call to action on X when he posted a message calling for reconciliation between Young Thug and Gunna. The latter two had fallen out over a prevalent belief that Gunna had snitched during the YSL RICO trial. 21 Savage, whose new album is titled What Happened to the Streets?, wrote, “F–k the streets,” adding, “we ain’t get s–t but trauma from that s–t.” Some of his rap colleagues received it well, while other rappers seemed to think that Savage was turning his back on the people and ideology that helped make him famous.
“If the rappers go say f–k the streets, y’all need to stop rapping about em. Stop double-dipping,” rapper Boosie wrote on X in response to what he felt was 21 Savage being hypocritical. “Rap about fruits, college courses, and staying off the streets.”
However, 21 Savage has doubled down on his messaging. Stated, living the street life leads to bad outcomes, and it’s time to stop promoting miscreant behavior in the music. Yes, street tales and gangsta behavior have made people famous, and are also entertaining for some listeners, but they have also gotten people senselessly killed and sent to jail for decades, if not for life.
Last week, Bronx drill rapper Kay Flock was sentenced to 30 years in prison for gang-related shootings at 22 years old. In this day and age, rappers are role models, whether they like it or not. Yes, it’s also a parent’s responsibility to teach their children morals and keep them away from negative influences, but children are also heavily influenced by media and celebrity culture.
This is all very loaded, because the violence that comes up in rap is systemic, and specific to America, but also, not all rap is violent. Yet, there seems to be more attention paid to peddling negative stereotypes, especially in the age of the algorithm. Algorithms are designed to keep people hooked and constantly scrolling. According to E-Safety, a young person may start with one initial interest. Still, the algorithm then amplifies content that may be more extreme or emotionally charged, and the content gets more intense. Boys may be more at risk of being exposed to themes of violence and misogyny, while girls can be targeted more by harmful beauty ideals and disordered eating.
When it comes to music, it’s careless to think that it doesn’t affect impressionable minds. It does, and we can be better about what we consume and what we put out as creatives. 21 Savage wasn’t wrong. Perhaps he could change the wording so that the heart of the message isn’t misconstrued, but the idea of leaving the street life alone is a movement I hope picks up steam.