21 savage Refuses to Be Called a 'Hypocrite,' Defends Violent Lyrics

21 Savage called for the end of gun violence in Atlanta, tweeting, "Atlanta We Have To Do Better. Put The F****** Guns Down !!!!!"

Atlanta We Have To Do Better
Put The F****** Guns Down !!!!!

— Saint Laurent Don (@21savage) August 8, 2022

The Atlanta-based rapper was criticized for having violent lyrics relating to gun violence. Someone replied with "Spin the block twice like it ain't nowhere to park," a line from 21 Savage's song "Jimmy Crooks." It also included a GIF of people looking very confused.

The rapper had none of it and immediately replied, "A Song Is For Entertainment."

"It's Not An Instruction Manual On How To Live Life. In Real Life I Give Away A lot Of Money And Spread Financial Literacy To My Community Stop Trying To Make Me 1 Dimensional."

A Song Is For Entertainment It’s Not An Instruction Manual On How To Live Life
In Real Life I Give Away A lot Of Money And Spread Financial Literacy To My Community Stop Trying To Make Me 1 Dimensional

— Saint Laurent Don (@21savage) August 8, 2022 " rel="nofollow" target="_blank">

The song in question, "Jimmy Crooks," collaborated with Drake, was released in June, and topped the Billboard Hot 100.

21 Savage's Community Work

Before 21 Savage tweeted about his sentiments regarding gun violence, the "Cash In Cash Out" rapper was gifting 2,000 students school supplies and services, reports say.

The foundation Lead By Example had its seventh annual "Issa Back 2 School Drive" at the rapper's hometown Decatur, GA. The students were provided with backpacks, shoes, notebooks, and headphones. and have also given haircuts and hair braiding.

"We are so excited to continue to give back to our community," said Danielle Ball, event coordinator and director of Lead By Example Foundation.

"We love to feed the people in need, give them clothes, shoes and of course supplies to help get them ready to return to school."

A Hypocrite?

Despite his efforts to give back to his community, people on Twitter are still skeptical. A user tweeted, "You can't promote gun violence in your songs, act hard and then say 'pls put the guns down'...maybe make songs that empower black communities instead of keeping them in [a] violent cycle."

"What you dont understand is these youths takes (sic) your lyrics and raps serious (sic)," added another user.

Other users have stepped up to defend 21 Savage, noting his community work, tweeting, "Some say actions speak louder than words... or in this case... lyrics. Savage is doing his part."

As of this writing, 21 Savage no longer replied to the tweets under his initial reply.