To celebrate the release of his new album What Happened to the Streets?, 21 Savage sat down with Bank on Perspektives and opened up about how he believes Atlanta “grooms” kids into a certain way of living.
While comparing how he moves around the city now versus when he was still coming up, 21 said Atlanta shapes children early—and not always in the best ways.
“This is how I really feel… Atlanta is really, goddamn, what’s the word? Atlanta really a pedophile,” he said around the 18-minute mark. “‘Cause Atlanta really groomed us, bro, since we was kids.”
Big Bank and the crew laughed at the comparison, but 21 clarified his point.
“Maybe pedophile the worst word,” he corrected. “Maybe pedophile the wrong word. Atlanta is a groomin’ ass city. Atlanta groomed us n***as since we was ten, or 11-12, on club life, bro. Like, when I was a lamb, n***a, on my mama, I was taking out trash for $2 in apartments. Just to goddamn get some Chucks and some Dickies…”
He recalled going to spots as a kid where they’d give pitchers of Sprite and soda—just like the pitchers of liquor adults order in clubs—saying it felt like early training for nightlife.
“So your ass getting groomed for the club, from [when] you goddamn in middle school,” he continued. “So now when you 30, n***a, I’ve been going to the club since I was 11, 12 years old. Bro, fuck the club. Atlanta groomed a n***a, bro. And n***as banging out at these clubs.”
21 also shared that his circumstances pushed him into street life.
“‘Cause I couldn’t do nothing else, I ain’t got no green card,” he said about his immigration status. “I can’t get no job. So how the hell else was I gonna survive? I don’t feel like I jumped in the street, I feel like I was kind of forced.”
Growing up, he watched his family struggle financially, which motivated him to make money however he could—selling weed, taking out trash, even selling candy in school.
The 33-year-old just released What Happened to the Streets? on Friday (Dec. 12), featuring appearances from his frequent collaborators like Drake, Metro Boomin, Lil Baby, and his girlfriend, Latto.
Watch the full interview below.
