21 Savage's debut studio album, Issa Album (2017), peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 and its lead single "Bank Account" reached number 12 on The Hot 100. He then released the collaborative album Without Warning (2017) with Offset and Metro Boomin, with the song "Ric Flair Drip" peaking at number 13 on the Hot 100. 21 Savage featured on Post Malone's 2017 single "Rockstar", which reached number one on the Hot 100 and nominated for Record of the Year and Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 2019 Grammy Awards. His second album, i am > i was (2018), became his first U.S. number one album and spawned the hit song "A Lot" (featuring J. Cole), which won Best Rap Song at the 2020 Grammy Awards.
21 Savage was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on February 3, 2019. Officials revealed his status as a British citizen who entered the U.S. in July 2005 and unlawfully overstayed a H-4 visa that expired in 2006. He was granted bond on February 12 and released the next day, pending the outcome of an expedited deportation hearing, which was initially scheduled for April 9, but was later postponed indefinitely, with 21 Savage's lawyers stating he was legally residing in The U.S. for several years prior to the 2005 H-4 visa. 21 Savage's highly anticipated third album, Savage Mode II (2020), a sequel collaboration with Metro Boomin to their 2016 EP, debuted atop the Billboard 200, and spawned the U.S. top 10 singles "Runnin" and "Mr. Right Now" (featuring Drake).
On November 4th, 2022, 21 Savage would release "Her Loss", a collab album with Drake. It debuted at No.1 on the US Billboard 200. All 16 of its songs debuted on the Hot 100.
Thug Life
21 Savage Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Buy a Rover
Crack inside my grandmas sofa
Sunday, family coming over
Move the crack behind the toaster
Carry pistols with no holsters
Trying not to be a poster
You was listening to your coaches
And I slept with rats and roaches
That's why I don't smoke no roaches
Niggas tryna knock my focus
Wonder why I'm sick of potion
We happy dawg but we ain't jokin'
Big bullets, we ain't poking
In that pussy, slow motion
Nigga ain't none of my songs wrote
I'm thinking to myself you ain't gang, nigga, fuck you
Feel like 2Pac, Thug Life, nigga, fuck you
If he had the password to your phone he wouldn't have cuffed you
Dog ass bitch, I knew I never should've trusted you
Hoe stab a nigga in the back like the streets do
Can't believe that you betrayed me, I used to sleep with you
Niggas quick to say they loyal to you, they be see-through
Gang, gang, screaming "Fuck you, they want to eat you"
My son got asthma, grandma having spasms
Fuck the chatter, he gon' tattle, put 'em on the platter
Snakes plotting on my downfall I can hear 'em rattle
(That fuck nigga gone flop man
21 ain't even no real nigga, fuck that nigga)
We sticking to the G code, nigga we ain't beefin' over freak ho's
I hit her on the D low, yeah she like my steelo
That nigga think that he a bullet, don't like credit, Deebow
30-round hangin' out the big Glock
Nigga, no six shots, shootin' 'til the clip stops
You a lil' cat, I'm a big dog
Nigga, when we pullin' up the stick's out
Too much money got 'em pissed off
Nigga, I'ma pull up at yo bitch house
Fuck a niggas bitch to get a kick out it
Nigga pop percs, 'gone get a kick out it
Drinking on syrup with my dick out
Glock-17 with the dick out
I'm thinking to myself you ain't gang, nigga, fuck you
Feel like 2Pac, Thug Life, nigga, fuck you
If he had the password to your phone he wouldn't have cuffed you
Dog ass bitch, I knew I never should've trusted you
Whatchu want, ho, I got whatchu want, ho
Whatchu want, ho, I got whatchu want, ho
Whatchu want, ho, I got whatchu want, ho
Whatchu want, ho, I got whatchu want, ho
I'mma tint, presidential, like I'm Trump though
Secret service shooters, leave 'em niggas slumped, dawg
Denzel, I get surgical with this pump, dawg
Bust it down, break it down, then I put it in a blunt, dawg
Made man stamp, I got 21 stamp
In my face, Teetee and Taytay in the same count
I was down, bad and now I'm shining like a lamp
You put a ring on her, she ain't nothing but a tramp
The kicked me outta middle school and sent me to the house
We 'bout that gunplay, nigga, motherfuck 'yo count
19, I bought a Cutlass, four 12's and an amp
Beating down Glenwood, nigga, feeling like a champ
Nigga, we ain't takin' no deals
Lil nigga we ain't snitchin', we ain't making no sound
Used to jump niggas, now we jumping in a crowd
Used to make my mama cry, but now I make her proud
I remember rainy days but now she like the sound
I'm thinking to myself you ain't gang, nigga, fuck you
Feel like 2Pac, Thug Life, nigga, fuck you
If he had the password to your phone he wouldn't have cuffed you
Dog ass bitch, I knew I never should've trusted you
Hoe stab a nigga in the back like the streets do
Can't believe that you betrayed me, I used to sleep with you
Niggas quick to say they loyal to you, they be see-through
Gang, gang, screaming "Fuck you, they want to eat you"
The lyrics of "Thug Life" by 21 Savage talk about living a life on the edge and constantly being aware of the danger around. The opening lines of the song refer to the consequences of a life of crime and the constant efforts to hide from the law. The lyrics also highlight the feelings of betrayal and mistrust, which are prevalent in the streets. The line "I'm thinking to myself you ain't gang, nigga, fuck you" reflects the mistrust that develops between people, leading to violence and revenge.
The lyrics also talk about the struggles for survival in a society that is unforgiving towards those who are on the wrong side of the law. The line "Niggas tryna knock my focus, wonder why I'm sick of potion" depicts the struggle to maintain a focus despite the constant distractions and difficulties. The reference to "Thug Life" in the lyrics is an homage to Tupac Shakur, who popularized the term and lived a life on the edge, surrounded by violence and danger.
Overall, "Thug Life" by 21 Savage is a raw and honest portrayal of the struggles of living a life on the edge in today's society. The lyrics reflect the harsh realities of life for many people who are marginalized and struggling to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Scrape the corner
I'm patrolling the streets
Buy a Rover
Purchase a nice car with drug money
Crack inside my grandmas sofa
Hiding drugs at my grandma's house
Sunday, family coming over
Family time, but drug dealing never stops
Move the crack behind the toaster
Stash crack in the kitchen
Carry pistols with no holsters
I carry guns without safety mechanisms
Trying not to be a poster
I don't want to be a known criminal
You was listening to your coaches
You were following a traditional path in life
I was listening to the vultures
I was listening to the street and other criminals
And I slept with rats and roaches
I grew up in poverty and slept in unsanitary conditions
That's why I don't smoke no roaches
I don't indulge in cheap marijuana
Niggas tryna knock my focus
People are trying to distract me from my goals
Wonder why I'm sick of potion
I'm tired of being under the influence of drugs
We happy dawg but we ain't jokin'
We may be smiling, but we're serious
Big bullets, we ain't poking
I don't shoot small guns
In that pussy, slow motion
Sexual brag about lasting a long time
Nigga ain't none of my songs wrote
I write my own music
I'm thinking to myself you ain't gang, nigga, fuck you
I don't respect people who aren't part of my gang
Feel like 2Pac, Thug Life, nigga, fuck you
I share 2Pac's thug mentality
If he had the password to your phone he wouldn't have cuffed you
I don't trust anyone, not even my own crew
Dog ass bitch, I knew I never should've trusted you
You betrayed me and I regret trusting you
Hoe stab a nigga in the back like the streets do
People in the streets are not loyal and will betray you
Can't believe that you betrayed me, I used to sleep with you
I was close to you and never expected you to betray me
Niggas quick to say they loyal to you, they be see-through
People say they're loyal, but their actions prove otherwise
Gang, gang, screaming "Fuck you, they want to eat you"
My gang is loyal and will fight for me, while others want to destroy me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Curtis Mayfield, Joshua Howard Luellen, Leland Tyler Wayne, Shayaa Bin Abraham-Joseph
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Egraber
Still one of my favorite songs of all time. Great summer when this album dropped.
@Andrew-dd3yt
Right!
@hermanheart6810
its a little corny but this album is one of my top 5 of all time fr, one of the very few modern albums i could sit down and enjoy every single track on
@BigtimeSauce
for suree
@josephscott4178
There’s really not much 21 Savage can do to surpass this. This shit is immaculate.
@MADDMANX8869
Metro one of most versatile producers I've ever heard
@t-hug2597
So underrated tbh
@mrsmiley707
Ikr
@bushwacker4321
R tf ye piece of shit
@cig_after_death7870
Hell nahh the reals know what it is