Key Takeaways:

• The album contains options from Drake, Latto, GloRilla and extra throughout 14 tracks.
• 21 Savage displays on themes of loss, loyalty and alter in Atlanta’s evolving rap scene.
• A standout quote from Savage frames the album’s title: “The [streets are] dead… S**t ain’t the same no more.”

“What happened to the streets?” That’s the query 21 Savage got down to reply on his shock fourth studio album, announced just days before its release on Friday (Dec. 12) at midnight.

Spanning 14 songs, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STREETS? arrived with loads of acquainted collaborators, together with Young Nudy, Lil Baby and G Herbo. The London-born rapper additionally teamed up with GloRilla and R&B singer Jawan Harris for the primary time on songs like “DOG $HIT” and “I WISH,” respectively.

Savage opens the LP with “WHERE YOU FROM,” wherein he reaffirms his ties to Zone 6 earlier than name-dropping Drake and Metro Boomin, each of whom seem afterward. A number of tracks later, on “POP IT,” he reunites with his rumored girlfriend, Latto, who seemingly confirms their relationship with bars like, “Thick as f**k, built like I dance / F**kin’ on this British man.”

On the very subsequent observe, “MR RECOUP,” Savage and Drake faucet again into their Her Loss chemistry. Drizzy references his eagerly awaited Iceman album and OVO affiliate Chubbs, with probably the most polarizing ingredient possible being the tune’s instrumental.

Closing out the physique of labor, “I WISH” feels closest to answering the undertaking’s titular query. Savage displays on the many lives hip hop has misplaced in recent times, paying tribute to Takeoff, Young Dolph, PnB Rock, Young Scooter, Rich Homie Quan, Lil Keed and several other others.

Surprise albums — particularly this late within the yr — are at all times a raffle, particularly when taking into account stan tradition’s obsession with first-week gross sales. However, Savage seemingly made the precise name trusting WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STREETS?, which additionally arrived with 4 completely different bodily editions, every numbered from one to 2,100.

“The [streets are] dead,” Savage mentioned whereas discussing the album’s title throughout “Perspektives With Bank” on Thursday (Dec. 11). “It’s f**ked up. S**t ain’t the same no more.” See the complete interview under.