21 Savage is on top of the world right now between his Metro Boomin collaborative album Savage Mode II topping the Billboard 200 chart and having 21 plaques with his name on them. It may look easy to some, but it took a ton of hard to reach success — and he wants everyone to know it.
On Tuesday (October 20), the Atlanta rapper took to Instagram to share a photo of his younger self, side-by-side with another snap of the man he is today. Shirtless in both, 21 is holding money in the old photo, along with his Grammy Award for Best Rap Song (“a lot” with J. Cole) in the current day picture.
“If u knew what it took u would work for everything you get,” he wrote in the caption.
View this post on Instagramif u knew what it took u would work for everything you get
During a recent interview for Big Bank and DJ Scream’s Big Facts show, 21 talked about his success story despite growing up in tough circumstances.
“I done overcame every obstacle came my way,” he told the Atlanta hosts. “N-gga don’t really know how that shit be … just growing up. Like n-gga in the hood and a n-gga an immigrant, so no matter what, you can’t go to college. You can’t get no license, you can’t get no job.
“My momma used to be paranoid driving, for real. My momma used to be scared to drive. Scared, but she had to drive. No license. My momma ain’t never had a license till I was probably like 24, 25 when I got some money and got her shit straight.”
He added, “Our struggle was different. It wasn’t no other option. I couldn’t go get a job. I couldn’t go to college. I couldn’t get a license. I just got my license when I was like 25, 26 years old.”
Savage Mode II debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for the week ending October 8, selling roughly 171,000 units. The project was 21’s second No. 1 album, but the first time he’s hit No. 1 with Metro Boomin.
Fittingly, he also received 21 plaques from the Recording Industry Association of America in October, with many songs from his catalog achieving new gold and platinum statuses. His well-known songs such as “a lot,” “X,” “can’t leave without it,” “Bank Account,” “ball w/o you” and “Ric Flair Drip” were among the biggest certifications.