21 Savage‘s widespread success has earned him an accolade only a select-few people in his lane have been honored with in the past — this year, he’s the only one.
On Wednesday (April 17), TIME published its annual “Most Influential People” list for 2024, with the Atlanta native being the sole Hip Hop artist being acknowledged.
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Burna Boy (who is also on the list) wrote the Without Warning hitmaker’s blurb, and it reads as follows: “I trust my gut when it comes to my music and collaborations, and I find myself naturally drawn to artists like 21 Savage—those who remain grounded in their convictions and consistently defy the constraints imposed upon them. Like 21, I know what it’s like to rise above challenging beginnings, and it makes his success all that much more remarkable.
“Throughout his work—including on his newest album, American Dream, which opens with a reflection by his mother on their immigration story—21 maintains an authenticity that resonates deeply. His approach to rap is refreshingly genuine; he speaks to us in a relatable way, effortlessly navigating the complexities of the genre. Whether he tackles weighty subjects or offers moments of levity, his delivery remains compelling.”
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It concludes: “I have recently had the privilege of sharing one of my most significant milestones with 21, performing with him at the Grammys. I’m excited to witness the greater evolution of his artistry and the impact he continues to make on the world stage.”
Find out why @21savage is on this year’s list of the most influential people of the year https://t.co/sA4m7nGsvN
— TIME (@TIME) April 17, 2024
As for Hip Hop specifically, Charlamagne Tha God recently declared that Future is the most influential rapper of the last decade.
During an episode of the Brilliant Idiots podcast with Andrew Schulz earlier this month, the radio personality heaped high praise on the trap icon’s career since his emergence in the early 2010s.
While discussing the reignited rivalry between Kendrick Lamar, Drake and J. Cole, the Breakfast Club host said: “They talking about a Big Three but really there’s a Fantastic Four. If you really wanna get a little spicy, Future could be in the Big Three.
“For better or worse, I can find a million Future clones all around the world. I don’t think there’s any rapper that’s influenced culture and music more than Future over the last decade. I think Future has influence. People wanna be Future, people wanna sound like Future.”
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The 45-year-old then cited some of the rapper’s more recent achievements, including simultaneously topping the Billboard 200 and Billboard Hot 100 charts thanks to his We Don’t Trust You album with Metro Boomin as well as the K.Dot-assisted hit “Like That” from the same record.
“I would have Drake, Future, Kendrick, personally,” he added, excluding J. Cole from Hip Hop’s widely-accepted Big Three. “Statistically, if you’re talking about numbers and all of that, Future’s over Cole.”
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Charlamagne did, however, acknowledge that the Fayetteville native is a stronger lyricist than the Freebandz boss.
