Top 5 21 Savage Albums: 21 Savage’s Best Albums, According To RGM

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Honorable Mention. Without Warning (With Offset & Metro Boomin’) (2017)

In a year where we got a bunch of random collab albums, this one emerged as one of the best.

Fans of Halloween got a real treat in 2017 when Offset, Metro Boomin, and 21 Savage joined forces for Without Warning.

With all three artists operating at the height of their powers, the project felt like the rap equivalent of the Golden State Warriors—stacked, dangerous, and nearly unstoppable across its ten full-length tracks.

In recent years, Atlanta rappers have caught heat from critics questioning their lyrical ability, but this album serves as a loud counterargument.

Track after track, each artist steps up and delivers, asserting their dominance with focused verses that make their hunger undeniable.

Their individuality also shines through as they flex about wealth, violence, and women with raw, unfiltered energy and surprisingly sharp writing.

The real standout, though, is Metro Boomin’s production. His eerie, Halloween-themed soundscape ties everything together, creating a mood that feels as seasonally nostalgic as Christmas music—just on the opposite end of the emotional spectrum. This is easily one of his most cohesive and cinematic production showcases, transforming the album into a fully riveting experience.

Favorite Tracks: “Ric Flair Drip,” “Ghostface Killers” & “Rap Saved Me.”

5. Savage Mode (With Metro Boomin) (2016)

“Savage Mode” is one of the best hip-hop appetizers of this decade.

“Savage Mode” served as my introduction to 21 Savage, and boy, was it a captivating one.

As a self-professed horror movie connoisseur (just last night, I was diving into some sick s**t), I absolutely adored how Metro Boomin’s dark, haunting beats on the EP seamlessly blended with 21’s eerie deliveries and the audacious number of self-references.

It stands out as one of the few albums I’ve come across in recent years that prompted me to say, “I’ve never heard something like this before.”

While I greatly appreciate the partnership between 21 Savage and Metro Boomin, it’s the latter’s beats that elevate this project to a must-listen (Can you tell that I am a major Metro Boomin fan?).

Favorite Tracks: “Savage Mode,” “X,” and “No Heart.”

4. Savage Mode II (With Metro Boomin) (2020)

“Savage Mode II” solidified the unparalleled chemistry between 21 Savage and Metro Boomin.

The significance of Savage Mode II’s release cannot be overstated.

Dropping amid a pandemic, a tense American election, and the approach of Halloween, the album struck a chord, offering an outlet for the anger and tension many of us were feeling at the time.

Savage Mode II earns an A for its production.

Metro Boomin consistently delivers trap-dramatic, captivating, and sometimes terrifying beats throughout the project. His skill in crafting instrumentals that either complement or contrast 21 Savage’s delivery is remarkable. As with many Metro Boomin albums, the production alone is compelling enough to enjoy Savage Mode II even without the lyrics.

21 Savage displays multiple facets of his artistry across the album.

On many tracks, he unleashes ferocious, explicit bars that showcase the intensity he’s known for. But he also takes moments to explore his love life and reveal a more vulnerable side, adding depth to the project.

The combination of aggressive energy, lyrical honesty, and emotional insight makes Savage Mode II a full-bodied performance from 21 Savage and another standout collaboration with Metro Boomin.

Favorite Tracks: “Glock In My Lap,” “Runnin,” and “Real Nigga Shit.”

3. american dream (2024)

“The American Dream” to 21 Savage probably involves owning blicks and trap houses.

I feel like american dream perfectly captures just how much growth 21 Savage has gone through these past years.

Even though he still raps with that same sinister tone, he spends a surprising amount of time reflecting—on the streets he had to escape, the violence he survived, and the life he never imagined he’d be living back when he was deep in the trenches.

The album balances dramatic storytelling with hard-edged trap in a way that feels natural, not forced. It doesn’t drown itself in features, either, but the big names it does bring in—Doja Cat, Lil Durk, Travis Scott, and more—fit seamlessly.

There are experimental pockets, there are love songs (which 21 has genuinely gotten great at), and of course, there are still those dark, demonic moments fans crave.

All in all, this feels like 21 Savage’s real shining moment as a true #1 option.

Favorite Tracks: “redrum,” “all of me” and “prove it.”

2. Her Loss (With Drake) (2022)

This project aged finer than Jennifer Lopez.

When we talk about albums built to stand the test of time, Her Loss is absolutely one of them.

On my first playthrough, I remember thinking, “What is this nonsense?” But almost immediately after, I caught myself saying, “Hold on… let me run that back.” That push-and-pull reaction is part of what makes the album so addictive.

The chemistry between Drake and 21 Savage is excellent—superb, outstanding, whatever word your teacher used when you finally got an answer right. They complement each other seamlessly. Drake gets room to bounce between slick melodies, petty bars, and sharp flexes, while 21 brings that cold, unbothered, certified-killer energy that grounds every track.

What makes Her Loss special is its balance: part experimental playground, part straight-up hip-hop clinic. It’s playful, polished, and rugged all at once, and somehow it works.

You can debate whether this is 21 Savage’s best album, but one thing isn’t up for discussion: it’s the album with the most hits in his catalog.

Favorite Tracks: “Spin Bout U,” “Rich Flex” and “On BS.”

1. i am > i was (2018)

You know that Shaq meme that says, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know your game”? That was exactly my reaction when I heard “i am > i was.”

The first word that comes to mind when describing i am > i was is growth. While 21 Savage still addresses themes of violence, shootings, and confrontations, he does so with far more refinement and skill.

Across the album, his delivery is honed and controlled, often navigating trap production without letting it overpower his voice, a notable improvement over earlier works.

The album’s standout feature is its lyrics. 21 presents a more relatable, introspective, and tempered version of himself.

Tracks like “a lot,” featuring J. Cole, highlight this evolution, offering a refreshing glimpse of the Atlanta rapper’s depth and maturity.

i am > i was is not just an album—it’s a clear statement of artistic growth and self-awareness.

Favorite Tracks: “a lot,” “ball w/o you,” “can’t leave without it.”

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