Monster (21 Savage song)

Last updated
"Monster"
Single by 21 Savage featuring Childish Gambino
from the album I Am > I Was
ReleasedMay 7, 2019
Recorded2018
Length3:53
Label
  • Epic
  • Slaughter Gang
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
21 Savage singles chronology
"Enzo"
(2019)
"Monster"
(2019)
"100 Bands"
(2019)
Childish Gambino singles chronology
"Summertime Magic"
(2018)
"Monster"
(2019)
"Time"
(2020)

"Monster" is a song by British-American rapper 21 Savage from his second studio album I Am > I Was (2018). The song features actor and rapper Childish Gambino, and was produced by DJ Dahi, Axl Folie, Dave Sava6e, and Tiggi. The song was first previewed on December 16, 2018 on 21 Savage's Instagram [1] and was eventually sent to rhythmic contemporary radio on May 7, 2019. [2]

Contents

Composition and lyrics

The song is about how wealth and fame can turn a person into a "monster", as summarized in the chorus: "Power / The money and the fame make a monster." Childish Gambino also expresses his disillusionment in the music industry, rapping: "Me and Savage, we came from the dirt / If you rappin' for money, you silly / This shit ain't a milli', this shit is a hundred / The industry savage and most of you average". [3] [4]

Live performances

On August 3, 2019, 21 Savage performed the song at Lollapalooza with Childish Gambino. [4] [5]

Charts

Chart (2019)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [6] 97
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [7] 56
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [8] 26
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) [9] 2
US Billboard Hot 100 [10] 73
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [11] 28
US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) [12] 35

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [13] Platinum80,000
United States (RIAA) [14] Gold500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Future discography</span>

The discography of American rapper Future consists of nine studio albums, two collaborative albums, one soundtrack album, 24 mixtapes, two extended plays, and 117 singles. He first began his career as part of the Georgia-based collective Dungeon Family, although he released no major projects with the group. In the late 2000s, he met fellow Georgia-based rapper Rocko and signed to his label, A1 Recordings as a solo act. He then released a number of independent mixtapes and guest appeared on YC's 2011 hit single "Racks," while earning local recognition as his music was frequented at Atlanta's Magic City nightclub venue. He signed to Epic Records to issue his then-most popular song as a lead artist, "Tony Montana" as his debut single for the label in 2011. He remained signed in a joint venture with A1 until his departure in favor of Epic in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Childish Gambino discography</span>

The discography of American hip hop recording artist Childish Gambino comprises four studio albums, fourteen mixtapes, and four EPs. After releasing his first five mixtapes and EP independently, he signed to Glassnote Records and released Camp (2011), his first album on a major record label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mustard (record producer)</span> American record producer

Dijon Isaiah McFarlane, known professionally as Mustard, is an American record producer. A frequent producer for California-based hip hop artists YG and Ty Dolla Sign, he has produced various hit singles for both artists and others of whom perform in hip hop and R&B since his entrance into mainstream music with his work on Tyga's 2011 single "Rack City".

<i>Sail Out</i> 2013 EP by Jhené Aiko

Sail Out is the debut extended play (EP) by American recording artist Jhené Aiko, released on November 12, 2013 through Def Jam Recordings. It was Aiko's first release under the label after leaving her contract with Sony Music in 2003. After leaving Sony Music, Aiko released her first mixtape Sailing Soul(s) (2011), independently; the mixtape featured appearances from well-known artists and was met with generally positive reviews and was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. . In 2012, Aiko met with American record producer and vice president of A&R at Def Jam No I.D., who ended up signing Aiko to his Artium Records imprint, through Def Jam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3005 (song)</span> 2013 single by Childish Gambino

"3005" is a song by American rapper Childish Gambino from his second studio album Because the Internet. The song was released on October 22, 2013 as the first official single from the album. It peaked at number eight on the UK R&B Chart and 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jhené Aiko discography</span>

The discography of Jhené Aiko, an American musical artist, consists of three studio albums, one extended play (EP), one mixtape, 17 singles and 21 music videos.

"Sober" is the first single from American recording artist Childish Gambino's 2014 EP Kauai.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">21 Savage discography</span>

The discography of British-American rapper 21 Savage consists of three studio albums, three collaborative albums, two mixtapes, three extended plays, and 31 singles.

"Redbone" is a song recorded by American rapper and singer Childish Gambino, the stage name of Donald Glover. It was released on November 17, 2016, and serves as the second single from his third studio album "Awaken, My Love!" The song received three Grammy Award nominations including Record of the Year at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, eventually winning the award for Best Traditional R&B Performance. In 2021, it was ranked No. 383 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

"Bank Account" is a song by British-American rapper 21 Savage. Written and produced alongside Metro Boomin, it was originally released on July 7, 2017 as a track from debut studio album Issa Album before being serviced to rhythmic and urban radio on August 8, 2017 as the only single. A music video was released on November 10, 2017. 21 referred to the song as the de facto single of Issa Album. The song contains a sample from the soundtrack album of The Education of Sonny Carson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Is America (song)</span> 2018 single by Childish Gambino

"This Is America" is a song by American rapper Childish Gambino. Written and produced by Gambino and Ludwig Göransson, with additional writing credits going to American rapper Young Thug, it was released on May 6, 2018 at the same time that Gambino was hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live. The song features background vocals from Young Thug alongside fellow American rappers Slim Jxmmi of Rae Sremmurd, BlocBoy JB, Quavo of Migos, and Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage. The lyrics and accompanying music video, reflecting the core of the Black Lives Matter movement, confront issues of ongoing systemic racism, including prejudice, racial violence, the ghetto, and law enforcement in the United States, as well as the wider issues of mass shootings and gun violence in the United States. Originally, Gambino intended it to be a diss record towards fellow rapper Drake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feels Like Summer (Childish Gambino song)</span> 2018 promotional single by Childish Gambino

"Feels Like Summer", also known as "42.26", is a song by American recording artist Childish Gambino. The song was released by Wolf+Rothstein, Liberator Music and RCA Records on July 11, 2018. It was written and produced by Gambino and his longtime collaborator Ludwig Göransson. The song was made available for digital download and streaming along with "Summertime Magic" as a part of the extended play Summer Pack. It is featured on the FIFA 19 soundtrack. It later appeared on his fourth album, 3.15.20, under the title "42.26". The song received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

<i>I Am Greater than I Was</i> 2018 studio album by 21 Savage

I Am > I Was is the second studio album by British-American rapper 21 Savage, released on December 21, 2018. I Am > I Was features vocals by J. Cole, City Girls, Offset, Post Malone, Gunna, Lil Baby, Schoolboy Q, Project Pat, Childish Gambino, and Savage's cousin Young Nudy. The deluxe edition was released three days later, featuring one more song, which features an additional guest appearance from Travis Scott.

"A Lot" is a song by British-American rapper 21 Savage. The audio of the song was released on December 20, 2018 via the rapper's YouTube account. It was sent to rhythmic and urban contemporary radio on January 8, 2019 as the lead single from his second studio album I Am > I Was.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megan Thee Stallion discography</span>

American rapper Megan Thee Stallion has released two studio albums, one compilation album, three mixtapes, three extended plays, thirty-nine singles, and two promotional singles. In her early career, Megan Thee Stallion released the non-commercial, SoundCloud-exclusive mixtapes Rich Ratchet (2016) and Megan Mix (2017). She made her official solo debut by commercially releasing her first professional EP, Make It Hot, on September 18, 2017, which was followed by her second EP Tina Snow on December 21, 2018.

"Floating" is a song by American rapper Schoolboy Q featuring Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage from the former's fifth studio album Crash Talk (2019). It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio on June 11, 2019, as the album's third single. The song was produced by Cardo and Johnny Juliano.

"Time" is a song by American rapper Donald Glover, under the stage name Childish Gambino, from his fourth studio album 3.15.20 (2020). The song features guest vocals by American singer Ariana Grande and background vocals by American gospel musician Brent Jones and his backing group The Best Life Singers. It was produced and written by Glover and Grande, along with DJ Dahi, Ludwig Göransson, and Chukwudi Hodge. Australian songwriter Sarah Aarons is also credited for writing and British producer Jai Paul provided miscellaneous production.

"12.38" is a song by American rapper Donald Glover, performed under the stage name Childish Gambino, from his fourth studio album, 3.15.20 (2020). The song features guest vocals by rapper 21 Savage, American singer-songwriter Atia "Ink" Boggs, and American musician Kadhja Bonet. It was written by the artists and DJ Dahi who produced it with Gambino.

"Runnin" is a song by British-American rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on October 2, 2020, as the opening track from their collaborative album Savage Mode II. The "haunting" song samples Diana Ross' 1976 song "I Thought It Took a Little Time", with 21 Savage delivering lethal threats to his enemies in a casual fashion. The official video sees 21 take a victory lap through the streets of his hometown, celebrating his Grammy award for "A Lot". It was serviced to US rhythmic radio on October 13, 2020, together with "Mr. Right Now" as the dual lead singles from the album. Debuting and peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, it was both artists' highest-charting song as lead artists, until the releases of "My Life", "Creepin'", "Type Shit", and "Like That".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Shit (song)</span> 2022 single by Cardi B featuring Kanye West, and Lil Durk

"Hot Shit" is a song by American rapper Cardi B featuring fellow American rappers Kanye West, and Lil Durk. It was released on July 1, 2022, through Atlantic Records as the third single from Cardi B's upcoming second studio album. The three rappers wrote the song alongside Pardison Fontaine and Bunny Wailer and with producers Tay Keith and BanBwoi.

References

  1. "21 Savage Previews Childish Gambino Collaboration "Monster"". HotNewHipHop. 16 December 2018. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  2. "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases | R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates | ..." 2019-04-20. Archived from the original on 2019-04-20. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  3. Miller, Matt (2018-12-21). "Childish Gambino's Verse on 21 Savage's 'Monster' Explains Why He Wants to Retire From Music". Esquire. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  4. 1 2 Zemler, Emily (2019-08-05). "See Childish Gambino Join 21 Savage on 'Monster' at Lollapalooza". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  5. "Childish Gambino Joins 21 Savage for "Monster" at Lollapalooza". Complex. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  6. "Aria Chart Watch #506". auspOp. January 5, 2019. Archived from the original on January 5, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  7. "21 Savage Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  8. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 18, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  9. "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 1, 2019" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  10. "21 Savage Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  11. "21 Savage Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  12. "21 Savage Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  13. "Canadian single certifications". Music Canada.
  14. "American single certifications – 21 Savage – Monster". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved November 24, 2020.