My Dawg by 21 Savage Lyrics Meaning – Delving into the Depths of Loyalty and Survival
Lyrics
Just because it ain’t happened yet, don’t think that’s it not
Nipsey was solid, I know that he up there with Biggie and Pac
My choppa could tell you a story, I pray that you don’t try to plot
Stayed a hundred, couple niggas changed
I ain’t never went against the grain, I could never snort cocaine
I could never fuck a bitch behind my brother then try and turn her to my main
Clout chasin’ got him in a wood box, can’t believe he died for the fame
He’ll risk it all for a name, I was comin’ hard ‘fore I came
I ain’t know nothin’ ’bout no Visa, I was in the park with the gang
Moms be feelin’ bad, I try to tell her she is not to blame
No social security, couldn’t get a license, but I still didn’t complain
I went and got it, I ain’t ask for no handout
Lil’ nigga, we are not the same
You know what I’m on, first girlfriend did me wrong
I swear to God that every girl after that, I was gon’ do ’em wrong
Different bitch in my bed every night, but I still be feelin’ alone
Matter fact I’m finna be with one, probably right after I finish this song
That’s my dawg
He gon’ ride off the leash
He gon’ slide, she know I cheat (she know I cheat)
She know I lie, I be geeked up, I be fried (21)
Sweep the room, we pull up with brooms (21, 21)
Smokin’ Girl Scout, you can smell the fumes (smell the fumes)
Don’t approach me ’bout your wifey if she choose (pussy)
Last girl did that made the news (21)
Nigga keep talkin’ that U.K. shit like I don’t got AKs (21)
Like, ’cause I was born overseas, these motherfuckers ain’t gon’ spray-spray (the fuck?)
Pull up in your hood, nigga, 9-1-1, y’all better call mayday (brrt, pow-pow)
From Glenwood all the way to Martin Luther King, niggas know we don’t play-play
Caught him down bad (21), broad daylight, I ain’t need no mask (21)
Paid in full (21), all the opp hoes get shot in the ass
Strip a rap nigga if I ever get low on cash (21)
Middle school, I ain’t go to class, I was hangin’ in the hallway, I ain’t have a pass (on God)
High school, I ain’t even go, I was hangin’ in the colony tryna sell gas (straight up)
In a hotbox with Chevy, Lil Harold, and Rock, ready to crash (21)
Tried to break in the pawnshop on Candler Road, but the rod wouldn’t smash (21)
Larry got killed, couldn’t believe this shit, man, the tears started fallin’ down fast (on God)
Lick on McAfee, found a ho, split, but we really had came for the cash (true story)
I’m prayin’ to Ogunda, it’s so much shit in the street and my past (21)
I told T-Tay that buddy was a fuck nigga, boom, he got on the stand (rat)
200K to the lawyer, lil’ brother, gon’ make sure you get out the can (21, 21)
That’s my dawg (that’s my dawg)
He gon’ ride (he gon’ ride) off the leash (off the leash)
He gon’ slide (he gon’ slide), she know I cheat (she know I cheat)
She know I lie (she know I lie), I be geeked up, I be fried (21)
Sweep the room, we pull up with brooms (21, 21)
Smokin’ Girl Scout, you can smell the fumes (smell the fumes)
Don’t approach me ’bout your wifey if she choose (pussy)
Last girl did that made the news
21 Savage has never been one to shy away from divulging his personal struggles and the complexities of life on the streets through his music. His track ‘My Dawg’ is a testament to this, reflecting the rapper’s journey draped in harrowing realities and unwavering loyalty. The song acts as both a eulogy and an exaltation of the life that shaped him, and the lyrics paint a vivid picture of friendship, grief, and the grind of overcoming the odds.
The track is rife with autobiographical tales and coded messages that speak to the urban experience. It’s not merely a surface-level exploration of street loyalty, but a profound narrative on the pain, betrayal, and resilience that define 21 Savage’s existence. Every verse contains layers of meaning waiting to be uncovered. As we tease apart the threads of ‘My Dawg’, we find universal themes that resonate far beyond the confines of rap.
Unwavering Bonds Beyond the Lead Hail
‘That’s my dawg, He gon’ ride off the leash’. These repetitive lines serve as more than a catchy hook; they are a declaration of an unbreakable bond, a loyalty that endures beyond the chaos of life’s battles. In an environment where trust is scarce and friendships are often a liability, 21 Savage pays homage to those who stand steadfast. These lines reinforce the significance of reliability and genuine connection, cornerstones of 21 Savage’s personal ethos.
This loyalty is metaphorically juxtaposed with the image of a dog off its leash—an animal free from constraints, yet choosing to stand by its owner’s side. It points to voluntary allegiance rather than one bounded by necessity—an allegiance that can be literally life-saving in the perilous environments from which the artist hails.
The Tale of the Hometown Hero
21 Savage takes us on a geographical journey from Glenwood to Martin Luther King—a testament to the geography that shaped him. ‘Nipsey was solid, I know that he up there with Biggie and Pac’, he raps, paying respects to fallen heroes who continue to inspire those navigating the road less taken. 21 Savage isn’t just rapping about personal loyalty to his friends; he’s showing reverence to the larger community and legacies that have paved the way.
Referencing Nipsey Hussle alongside hip-hop legends Biggie and Pac emphasizes the continuum of struggle and greatness. It’s a lineage of resilience—each generation finds its stalwarts who carve a path in a harsh, unforgiving environment, aiming for a greatness that transcends their beginning. The homage is both personal and collective, an acknowledgment of the pillars of street wisdom and artistic brilliance.
Haunted by Success and the Plight of Change
The lyrics ‘He’ll risk it all for a name, I was comin’ hard ‘fore I came’ denote the duality of the hustle—the chase for fame that can lead to self-destruction or the silent grind that precedes acclaim. 21 Savage effectively critiques the toxic lure of rapid success that can lead to dire consequences. This is a reflection on how true success is often the product of unseen toil, a principle he evidently values above the flashier, riskier climbs others might attempt.
As 21 Savage narrates his refusal to lose his self in the race for recognition, he dissects the irony of achieving dreams. ‘Clout chasin’ got him in a wood box,’ he raps, pointing out the ultimate price some pay for fame. The acknowledgment of his roots and hard-fought brilliance contrasts with the superficial pursuit of glory, highlighting the depth over deceit in his journey to the top.
Dissecting Heartache and Isolation
Even as 21 Savage lays bare his emotional vulnerabilities, ‘Different bitch in my bed every night, but I still be feelin’ alone’, he sheds light on the truth behind the façade. Here, the rapper reveals a more profound sense of isolation that accompanies success, a sentiment familiar to many who climb the ranks regardless of the industry. It’s a rare glimpse into the intimate cost of such lifestyle, often glossed over in a genre that valorizes promiscuity and braggadocio.
This raw emotion provides a counter-narrative to the often hypermasculine persona of hip-hop culture. Here we see an artist grappling with the emptiness that accompanies shallow encounters, yearning for a more profound connection, perhaps one as devoted as the titular ‘dawg’—an indication that beneath the bravado lies a more universal quest for meaning and companionship.
An Indomitable Spirit Among Ruins
The lines ‘No social security, couldn’t get a license, but I still didn’t complain’ are much more than a nod to 21 Savage’s well-documented immigration issues—it’s about facing systemic barriers and persisting irrespective of circumstances. Scholars might suggest that this speaks volumes about resilience in the face of structural antagonism; loyalists might see this as proof of his authenticity and street cred.
Moreover, this resolve not to complain, but to overcome and thrive, resonates as a life philosophy. 21 Savage demonstrates an insistence on self-reliance, an acknowledgment that though the system may be skewed, one’s spirit need not be broken. His determination is both an inspiration to others facing similar struggles and a reminder of the indomitable will at the core of human survival.
