A Lot (song)

"A Lot" (stylized in lowercase) is a song by rapper 21 Savage. The audio of the song was released on December 20, 2018 via the rapper's YouTube account. It was serviced to rhythmic and urban contemporary radio on January 8, 2019 as the lead single from his second studio album I Am > I Was.[1]

"A Lot"
Single by 21 Savage featuring J. Cole
from the album I Am > I Was
ReleasedJanuary 8, 2019
Recorded2018
Length4:49
Label
  • Slaughter Gang
  • Red
  • Epic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
21 Savage singles chronology
"Cocky"
(2018)		 "A Lot"
(2019)		 "Enzo"
(2019)
J. Cole singles chronology
"Off Deez"
(2018)		 "A Lot"
(2019)		 "Middle Child"
(2019)
Music video
"A Lot" on YouTube

"A Lot" features North Carolina rapper J. Cole, though he only appears in the streaming and digital versions, as well as later CD pressings.[2] The song was written by 21 Savage, Cole, and its producers DJ Dahi and J. White Did It. It samples "I Love You" by East of Underground, which is a cover of "I Love You for All Seasons", performed by The Fuzz; The Fuzz member Shelia Young is credited as a co-writer.[3] The song received acclaim from critics, with Billboard ranking it as the 6th best song of 2019.[4] It won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song at the 2020 ceremony, marking both 21 Savage and J. Cole's first Grammy wins.[5][6]

Background

Speaking to The Breakfast Club radio show, 21 Savage recalled how the song came about after him and J. Cole first met at the Made in America Festival in 2018;[7] the two exchanged cellphone numbers and a random text from Cole ended up in a studio session.[7]

21 further elaborated:

He took the song with him back home to Raleigh, 'cause he drove [...] and then he sent me the shit. And I was like, "Damn, this shit hard as fuck". That was just like some spur-of-the-moment shit. You know I had to go up there and fuck with Cole".[7]

Lyrics

On the song, 21 Savage reflects "just how much he's endured and how far he's come". J. Cole meanwhile "speaks directly on the dubious machinations of the music industry, the justice system, media spin and his own place in the larger narrative".[4] The lyricism were described by Billboard as "heady, honest lyricism that gives the song its timeless appeal".[4] The song's video and the original CD edition feature an additional verse by 21, which included the line "Been through some things, but I couldn't imagine my kids stuck at the border", a reference to a controversial immigration policy.[4]

Music video

The music video was released on February 1, 2019 and was directed by filmmaker Aisultan Seitov. It depicts 21 Savage having a family reunion in a luxurious mansion, with alternate shots intercut of his family members in dire situations such as being pulled over by police, in the hospital, refining cocaine, in jail, held hostage by organized crime, being sexually trafficked, or mourning the death of a son. The video was influenced by the films Cold War and The Godfather Part II.[8]

Both J. Cole's verse and 21 Savage's alternate verse from the album version are featured, with J. Cole also appearing in the video.

Alleged correlation to the detention of 21 Savage

After the arrest and detention of 21 Savage by ICE just days after the release of the music video for "A Lot", it was purported that besides his immigration status, the rapper was specifically targeted due to his alternate verse for the album version of the song. Lawyers for 21 Savage, in addition to U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, all suspect that ICE targeted him for a certain stanza of the song that criticized issues with the Mexico-U.S. border, especially the Trump administration family separation policy.[9][10][11]

Been through some things but I couldn't imagine my kids stuck at the border

Flint still need water

Niggas was innocent, couldn't get lawyers.

— Verse in question from the song.

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[37] Gold 35,000
Canada (Music Canada)[38] Platinum 80,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[39] Gold 30,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[41] 4× Platinum 4,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Awards
Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2020 Grammy Awards Best Rap Song Won [42]

References
  1. "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  2. Coleman II, C. Vernon (January 1, 2019). "J. Cole Does Not Appear on CD Version of 21 Savage's "A Lot"". XXL. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  3. Burney, Lawrence (December 21, 2018). "21 Savage and J Cole's "a lot" is the cross-generational exchange rap needs". The Fader. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  4. Billboard Staff (December 11, 2019). "The 100 Best Songs of 2019: Staff List". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  5. "21 Savage Grammy History". The Recording Academy. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  6. "J. Cole Grammy History". The Recording Academy. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  7. Cowen, Trace William. "21 Savage's 'Tonight Show' Performance of "A Lot" Is Not to Be Missed". Complex. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  8. The Making of 21 Savage's "a lot" Video With Aisultan Seitov (Video). Genius. YouTube.
  9. Rapper 21 Savage fears deportation after ICE arrest (news video). ABC News. February 15, 2019.
  10. "Rapper 21 Savage 'targeted' over lyrics about border: Lawyer". Al Jazeera News. February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  11. McDermott, Maeve (February 15, 2019). "21 Savage says he was 'definitely targeted' by ICE in first interview since arrest". USA Today. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  12. "ARIA Chart Watch #511". auspOp. February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  13. "Ultratop.be – 21 Savage – A Lot" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  14. "Ultratop.be – 21 Savage – A Lot" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  15. "21 Savage Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  16. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201907 into search. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  17. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  18. "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  19. "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. February 22, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  20. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 18, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  21. "Portuguesecharts.com – 21 Savage – A Lot". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  22. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201907 into search. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  23. "Sverigetopplistan – Sveriges Officiella Topplista". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  24. "Swisscharts.com – 21 Savage – A Lot". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  25. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  26. "21 Savage Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  27. "21 Savage Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  28. "21 Savage Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  29. "21 Savage Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  30. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  31. "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  32. "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  33. "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  34. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  35. "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  36. "Top 100 Songs of 2019". Rolling Stone. January 10, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  37. "ARIA Chart Watch #516". auspOp. March 16, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  38. "Canadian single certifications – 21 Savage – A Lot". Music Canada.
  39. "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Type 21 Savage in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and A Lot in the box under TÍTULO
  40. "British single certifications – 21 Savage – A Lot". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type A Lot in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  41. "American single certifications – 21 Savage – A Lot". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 24, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  42. Variety Staff (November 20, 2019). "2020 Grammys Nominations: Complete List". Variety. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
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