ALOT
21 Savage Lyrics

I love you
Expressing love and admiration.

Turn my headphone down a little bit, yeah
Asking to have the volume lowered on headphones.

For so many reasons
Prefacing the upcoming lines with various reasons.

How much money you got? (Straight up)
Posing a direct question about financial wealth.

How much money you got? (A lot)
Answering the previous question with a boastful response.

How many problems you got? (A lot)
Suggesting that with wealth comes many problems and struggles.

How many people done doubted you? (A lot)
Asking how many people have doubted one's abilities or success.

Left you out to rot? (A lot)
Asking how many people have abandoned or betrayed the artist.

How many pray that you flop? (A lot)
Asking how many people wish for the artist to fail or struggle.

How many lawyers you got? (A lot)
Asking how many legal representatives the artist has.

How many times you got shot? (A lot)
Asking how many times the singer has been shot or harmed.

How many niggas you shot? (A lot)
Asking how many people the artist has shot or harmed.

How many times did you ride? (A lot)
Asking how many times the singer has gone on a mission or battle.

How many niggas done died? (A lot)
Asking how many people the singer has known to die.

How many times did you cheat? (A lot)
Asking how many times the singer has been unfaithful or dishonest.

How many times did you lie? (A lot)
Asking how many times the artist has told falsehoods.

How many times did she leave? (A lot)
Asking how many times a significant other has left the artist.

How many times did she cry? (A lot)
Asking how many times a significant other has cried.

How many chances she done gave you?
Asking how many opportunities a significant other has given the singer.

Fuck around with these thots (A lot)
Suggesting that the artist has had many sexual partners.

Every day that I'm alive, I'ma ride with the stick
Choosing to carry a gun for protection and to represent his lifestyle.

I'd rather be broke in jail than be dead and rich
Preferring to be alive and impoverished than to have wealth and face death.

Told my brothers take my breath if I turn to a snitch
Promising his peers to value honor over ratting (becoming a snitch).

But I'm 21 4L, ain't no way I'ma switch
Stating his loyalty to his gang, 21 4L.

Penitentiary chances just to make a couple bucks
Risking going to jail for the opportunity to earn money.

My heart so cold I could put it in my cup
Emphasizing how unemotional and ruthless he can be.

Gang vs. the world, me and my dawg, it was us
Describing the duality between his gang and the rest of the world.

Then you went and wrote a statement, and that really fucked me up
Feeling betrayed by someone who wrote a statement or confession that incriminated him.

My brother lost his life and it turned me to a beast
Becoming an aggressive and ruthless person after the loss of his brother.

My brother got life and it turned me to the streets
Becoming more involved in the criminal lifestyle after his brother was sentenced to life.

I been through the storm and it turned me to a G
Surviving a hardship and growing tougher and more resilient.

But the other side was sunny, I get paid to rap on beats
Contrasting earlier struggles with current success as a successful rapper.

I just came from the A
Announcing his recent visit to Atlanta.

He had two of his kids with him right in the studio, that's when I knew
Noticing how devoted his peer, 21 Savage, is to his children.

How many faking they streams? (A lot)
Posing a question about the authenticity of music streams.

Getting they plays from machines (A lot)
Claiming that music plays are generated by machines rather than genuine audience interest.

I can see behind the smoke and mirrors
Seeing through illusions or deceptions used in the music industry.

Niggas ain't really big as they seem (Hmm)
Claiming that many rappers are not as successful or important as they present themselves to be.

Some niggas make millions, other niggas make memes (Hmm)
Comparing successful rappers to those who only have internet virality.

I'm on a money routine
Emphasizing his focus on making and keeping money.

I don't want smoke, I want cream
Preferring business opportunities over unnecessary conflict or drama.

I don't want no more comparisons
Disliking comparisons to other rappers and seeking to set himself apart.

This is a marathon and I'm aware
Acknowledging that his career pursuits are long-term and not easy.

I been playing the back from a lack of promotions
Feeling undervalued or underappreciated by those in charge of promoting his music.

I guess I was hoping the music would speak for itself
Feeling disappointment in the need for excessive self-promotion instead of relying on the quality of the music alone.

But the people want everything else
Observing that the public seeks celebrity scandals and excess rather than just quality music.

OK, no problem, I'll show up on everyone album
Offering to collaborate with other musicians to increase visibility and success.

You know what the outcome will be
Expecting success and a mutually beneficial partnership.

I'm batting a thousand
Feeling satisfied and successful in his music career.

It's got to the point that these rappers don't even like rappin' with me
Noticing that other rappers are intimidated or feel threatened by his success or ability.

Fuck it 'cause my nigga 21 Savage just hit me
Dismissing the negativity because of the support and camaraderie from his peer, 21 Savage.

And told me he saved me a spot, on a new record he got
Announcing that 21 Savage has offered to collaborate on a new song.

He call it "a lot," I open my book and I jot
Referring to the collaboration song title and stating plans to write lyrics for it.

Pray for Tekashi, they want him to rot
Expressing concern for Tekashi 6ix9ine who is facing charges that could lead to imprisonment.

I picture him inside a cell on a cot
Imagining Tekashi incarcerated and reflective on their lifestyle.

'Flectin' on how he made it to the top
Thinking about how Tekashi achieved his success.

Wondering if it was worth it or not
Questioning if Tekashi's actions were worth the consequences he may face.

I pray for Markelle 'cause they fucked up his shot
Expressing concern and empathy for Markelle Fultz, a basketball player whose career has been hindered by injury and controversy.

Just want you to know that you got it, my nigga
Offering encouragement and support to Markelle.

Though I never met you, I know that you special
Building up Markelle despite not knowing him personally.

And that the Lord blessed you, don't doubt it, my nigga
Relying on faith to affirm that Markelle has been blessed with talent.

Dennis Smith Jr., stay solid, my nigga
Offering similar supportive comments to another basketball player.

I'm on a tangent, not how I planned it
Admitting that the earlier comments were not planned for the song.

I had some fans that hopped and abandoned ship
Acknowledging that some fans have left him or stopped supporting him.

When they thought that I wasn't gon' pan out, I got a plan
Feeling inspired to prove doubters wrong and to continue pursuing success.

They say that success is the greatest revenge, tell all your friends
Asserting that success is the best way to get back at those who doubted or wronged you.

Cole on a mission, cementin' the spot as the greatest that did it
Promoting his journey and eventual status as the greatest rapper.

Before it all ends, nigga
Urging listeners to appreciate his legacy and career while it lasts.