Although 21 Savage is enjoying the success of his new album i am > i was, the Atlanta rapper received backlash from the Jewish community for his lyrics on “asmr.”
In the song, 21 raps “we been getting’ that Jewish money, everything is Kosher (on God).” While people of the Hip-Hop world see that as a compliment to the Jewish financial structure, Jewish people found it offensive. Some even deemed the lyrics as “derogatory” and “anti-Semitic.”
Last night 21 took it to Twitter to share his apology.
The Jewish people I know are very wise with there money so that’s why I said we been gettin Jewish money I never thought anyone would take offense I’m sorry if I offended everybody never my intention I love all people
— Saint Laurent Don (@21savage) December 25, 2018
So far no one of the Jewish community spoke out publicly on the issue, but it obviously caused controversy. Also on December 24, NBA superstar LeBron James also issued out an apology statement for playing that part of the song in an Instagram video.
James told ESPN, “Apologies, for sure, if I offended anyone,” he told ESPN. “That’s not why I chose to share that lyric. I always [post lyrics]. That’s what I do. I ride in my car, I listen to great music, and that was the byproduct of it. So I actually thought it was a compliment, and obviously, it wasn’t through the lens of a lot of people. My apologies. It definitely was not the intent, obviously, to hurt anybody.”
21 released his sophomore studio album i am > i was on Dec. 21. Currently, it’s the No.1 Hip-Hop album on the Billboard 100 charts. The into “Alot,” which features a historically epic verse from J.Cole is the No.1 Hip-Hop song on the Billboard 200 charts.
He also just added Travis Scott’s verse to “out for the night.”
