“A Lot” is a song reflecting on the hardships and success 21 Savage has experienced throughout his life. He juxtaposes the pain of losing friends and family to violence and incarceration with the newfound wealth and fame he’s achieved. The song also features J. Cole, whose verse focuses on social injustice and systemic racism.
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21 Savage – A lot Lyrics
turn my headphone down a little bit, yeah
(For so many reasons) yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I do
Yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah
(I love you) yeah, ah, ah, ah, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
How much money you got? (Straight up)
How much money you got? (Straight up)
How much money you got? (Straight up)
How much money you got? (A lot)
How much money you got? (A lot)
How many problems you got? (A lot)
How many people done doubted you? (A lot)
Left you out to rot? (A lot)
How many pray that you flop? (A lot)
How many lawyers you got? (A lot)
How many times you got shot? (A lot)
How many niggas you shot? (A lot)
How many times did you ride? (A lot)
How many niggas done died? (A lot)
How many times did you cheat? (A lot)
How many times did you lie? (A lot)
How many times did she leave? (A lot)
How many times did she cry? (A lot)
How many chances she done gave you
Fuckin’ around with these thots? (A lot)
Every day that I’m alive, I’ma ride with the stick
I’d rather be broke in jail than be dead and rich
Told my brothers take my breath if I turn to a snitch
But I’m 21 4L, ain’t no way I’ma switch
break it down, I break it down
I break it down, I break it down (for so many reasons)
I break it down, I break it down
I break it down, I break it down
Penitentiary chances just to make a couple bucks
My heart so cold, I could put it in my cup
Gang versus the world, me and my dawg, it was us
Then you went and wrote a statement, and that really fucked me up
My brother lost his life, and it turned me to a beast
My brother got life, and it turned me to the streets
I been through the storm, and it turned me to a G
But the other side was sunny, I get paid to rap on beats
How much money you got? (A lot)
How many problems you got? (A lot)
How many people done doubted you? (A lot)
Left you out to rot? (A lot)
How many pray that you flop? (A lot)
How many lawyers you got? (A lot)
How many times you got shot? (A lot)
How many niggas you shot? (A lot)
How many times did you ride? (A lot)
How many niggas done died? (A lot)
How many times did you cheat? (A lot)
How many times did you lie? (A lot)
How many times did she leave? (A lot)
How many times did she cry? (A lot)
How many chances she done gave you
Fuck around with these thots? (A lot)
break it down, I break it down
I break it down, I break it down (yeah) (for so many reasons)
I just came from the A, I drove back home, six-hour drive, six-and-a-half
Before I left, I stopped by to see my nigga 21 in the studio
He had two of his kids with him right in the studio, that’s when I knew
You a stand-up nigga, I love seein’ shit like that
Question, how many fakin’ they streams? (A lot)
Gettin’ they plays from machines? (A lot)
I can see behind the smoke and mirrors
Niggas ain’t really big as they seem (hmm)
I never say anythin’ (nah), e’rybody got they thin’ (true)
Some niggas make millions, other niggas make memes (hmm)
I’m on a money routine, I don’t want smoke, I want cream
I don’t want no more comparisons, this is a marathon and I’m aware
I been playin’ it back from a lack of promotions
I never was one for the braggin’ and boastin’
I guess I was hopin’ the music would speak for itself
But the people want everythin’ else
Okay, no problem, I’ll show up on everyone album
You know what the outcome will be, I’m battin’ a thousand
It’s got to the point that these rappers don’t even like rappin’ with me
Fuck it, ’cause my nigga 21 Savage just hit me
And told me he saved me a spot on a new record he got
He call it “a lot”, I open my book and I jot
Pray for Tekashi, they want him to rot, I picture him inside a cell on a cot
‘Flectin’ on how he made it to the top, wonderin’ if it was worth it or not
I pray for Markelle ’cause they fucked up his shot
Just want you to know that you got it, my nigga
Though I never met you, I know that you special
And that the Lord blessed you, don’t doubt it, my nigga
Dennis Smith, Jr., stay solid, my nigga, I’m on a tangent, not how I planned it
I had some fans that hopped and abandoned ship
When they thought that I wasn’t gon’ pan out, I got a plan
They say that success is the greatest revenge, tell all your friends
Cole on a mission, cementin’ the spot as the greatest that did it
Before it all ends, nigga
How much money you got? (A lot)
How many problems you got? (A lot)
How many people done doubted you? (A lot)
Left you out to rot? (A lot)
How many pray that you flop? (A lot)
How many lawyers you got? (A lot)
How many times you got shot? (A lot)
How many niggas you shot? (A lot)
How many times did you ride? (A lot)
How many niggas done died? (A lot)
How many times did you cheat? (A lot)
How many times did you lie? (A lot)
How many times did she leave? (A lot)
How many times did she cry? (A lot)
How many chances she done gave you
Fuck around with these thots? (A lot)
break it down, I break it down
I break it down, I break it down (for so many reasons)
I break it down, I break it down
I break it down, I break it down
I break it down, I break it down
I break it down, I break it down
I break it down, I break it down
I break it down, I break it down, I br-
Key Themes
- Pain and Loss: 21 Savage raps about the constant presence of death in his life, the pain of his brother’s incarceration, and the betrayal of friends.
- Resilience: Despite the pain, the song conveys a sense of resilience and determination. He acknowledges his challenges but emphasizes his drive to succeed.
- Gratitude: While not the central theme, 21 Savage also expresses moments of gratitude for his success and the people who’ve supported him.
- Social Commentary: J. Cole’s verse expands the scope beyond 21 Savage’s personal experience. He highlights police brutality, mass incarceration, and the way that systems perpetuate inequality.
Symbolism
- The title “A Lot” plays with multiple meanings. It refers to the abundance of both hardship and material wealth in their lives.
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Impact
“A Lot” became a critical and commercial success, lauded for its introspective nature and unflinching portrayal of both the triumphs and struggles experienced by the artists. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song in 2020.
