Savage Mode II by Morgan Freeman ft. 21 Savage
By Casey Christmas, Contributor
Between monologues from Hollywood's most recognizable voice, Morgan Freeman, 21 Savage raps on a beat provided by Metro Boomin, creating what should be the rap album of the year. Released on Oct. 2 and streamable everywhere, Savage Mode II is a near-perfect album, with only one skip courtesy of Drake.
21 Savage began his career strongly, dropping Issa Album in 2017, which reached number two on US Billboard 200 and featured the song “Bank Account.” In 2017, Savage was featured on Post Malone’s “Rockstar”, and in 2020 he won the Grammys Rap Song of the Year for “A lot.”
The album starts with Freeman narrating that 21 Savage and Metro Boomin are great men with great ideals who are becoming one. The catchy, clever lyrics and hard flow throughout “Runnin,” “My Dawg” and “Many Men” produce a classic 21 Savage album. “Said N Done” and “RIP Luv” conclude the album showing that Savage has a singing voice outside of pure rap.
But, the reason this album is excellent can be directly attributed to Morgan Freeman. With his debut rap album, Freeman has two tracks dedicated to his smooth voice in “Snitches and Rats (interlude)” and “Intro”. Freeman’s transitions are incredible, most notably after “Slidin” and “Glock in my Lap”. Better than his transitions, are Freeman’s one liners.
“At least a snitch is human but a rat is a fu****g rat. Period,” Savage said in Snitches & Rats (interlude).
“Mr. Right Now” features Drake, who provides the blandest bar in the album, offering no spice, no sizzle to Savage’s excellent performance on the rest of the track.
It’s speculated that 21 Savage may retire after Savage Mode II’s release. What isn’t speculation, is that this was the perfect album to end on. The highest note. If nothing else, leave here with Freeman’s ending words from Savage Mode 2.
“Until next time, stay in Savage Mode. Because anything else would be too d**n civilized. Peace,” Freeman said in “Said N Done.”
Featured collage by Ella Rose, Staff Writer