““I don’t feel like he’s relevant,” he said over the call. “I just feel like he got a loyal fan base. He still makes good music.” The comment then prompted the co-host to ask 21 to define relevance. “Mostly connected or appropriate to what’s being done to be considered,” he then said in response” (Aron A. – ‘ 21 Savage Faces Backlash After Claiming Nas Is Irrelevant’ 14.11.2022, Hotnewhiphop.com).
Today 21 Savage shows what ignorance or hubris does to a person. It isn’t the first or the last time, a younger generation is downplaying the legends. That has happened as long as we can remember. There has always been a competition between the “New School” and the “Old School”. Still, in the case of 21 Savage… it isn’t even a battle, but just plain stupidity.
21 needs to chill and reconsider himself. If it wasn’t Drake or Metro Boomin he wouldn’t even have records hitting up the charts. It isn’t like he has a track-record or such a unique catalogue of records. No, his just another one of this generation and he should reconsider his own stance. Because, the same words can be pinned on his easily.
While Nas on the other hand has made quality music since the 1990s. He has classics like Illmatic and Stillmatic in discography. While he has other albums that supreme too like God’s Son and Life is Good. So, it isn’t like he haven’t made good music over the years. Now in the 2020s he has released 4 albums, three albums in the series of Kings Disease and Magic. These 4 albums are proving his relevancy and ability to make records for the time.
While 21 himself needs to reconfigure his own status. He is the one that could easily become irrelevant. Not like he has classics or albums that are discussed in the manner of which Nas is. Neither has he the cadence or flow, which will be timeless. I remember better the J. Cole feature on his track, than his own bars. That’s how I am seeing 21 and I cannot be alone.
Nas isn’t only a legend, but his someone that can go tour and sell-out shows. He has built up his own record label – Mass Appeal and he can re-invent himself. That’s why his using Hit-Boy for the production and it works.
21 himself would be lucky if he ever gets a career or the longevity of Nas. Nas has proven his skills and dropped gems all these years. While 21 has a more troubled time and I cannot even say one of his albums are classics or supreme. His just another of them popular rappers who comes and goes. 21 will have few years in the lime-light before dimming out of nowhere. That’s just how the game goes.
While Nas will be imprinted in the art-form. He has not only built up a name and has records that shows his craft. No, Nas is what 21 Savage wishes he himself could be. 21 should aspire to have a career and dropping such prestigious projects. Instead, 21 is downplaying and disregarding Nas for what he actually does. Nas can only be here because he has a following and people enjoy the content he produces. That’s why his relevant and is in a unique place.
A place that I ever doubt the likes of 21 Savage will have in 2 decades time. 21 have only dropped official releases since 2015 and is 7 years in the game. His nowhere near or has the versatility as Nas has over the years. Yes, Nas has two decades in addition to 21 Savage. That’s why 21 Savage should aspire to emulate or even try to get where Nas is today. He should study or try to understand what Nas has done over the years.
Instead, 21 is acting like his all that and his “it”. When his on a joint album and has needed support of other artists or heavy hitting production of Metro Boomin to be banging. Therefore, 21 Savage should consider his stance. Though we know he won’t back down or do such. He won’t loose face and retract his words.
Nevertheless, 21 Savage needs a miracle to be as relevant and as big as Nas is in 2 decades time. That’s just a fact… Peace.
MinBane 