When you head to 21 Savage's album on any streaming service, the tracklist doesn't give away any of the features. So, the last thing I expected when firing up the intro, entitled "a lot," was a J. Cole verse. Yet there he was, Jermaine, continuing his onslaught of insane features this year. Cole's tagline has been "going platinum with no features." In 2018 though, he became known for the features he lays down instead of the features that are absent from his album.
21 kicks off "a lot" over DJ Dahi's entrancing instrumental. The beat thrives in simplicity, using a soulful sample and hard kicks to induce the listener into nodding their head. The defining moment on the song is Cole's shout out to Tekashi 6ix9ine though. The rainbow-haired rapper's rise and fall was well documented, and Cole offers his two cents on the situation with wisdom and clarity.
Quotable Lyrics
Pray for Tekashi, they want him to rot
I picture him inside a cell on a cot
’Flectin' on how he made it to the top
Wondering if it was worth it or not
I pray for Markelle 'cause they fucked up his shot
Just want you to know that you got it, my nigga
Though I never met you, I know that you special
And that the Lord blessed you, don't doubt it, my nigga