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21 Savage & Metro Boomin’s “Savage Mode II”: The Darkest Beats
At long last, one of the year’s most anticipated projects has arrived: Savage Mode II, the nightmarish collaborative effort from 21 Savage and Metro Boomin. The reputation of its predecessor is well established. Seen by many as a modern classic, if only for the innovative blend of trap and horrorcore present throughout. Though some found Savage’s rudimentary flow and detached delivery to be off-putting, others appreciated the young Atlanta rapper’s unique and distinctive persona. Four years later, 21 has expanded his toolkit considerably, honing his technical prowess and truly allowing his imagination to run wild.
Behind the boards, Metro Boomin’s contributions proved invaluable in shaping the producer’s legacy in those early stages. Carrying the torch previously held by Dr. Dre, the once-reigning king of the dark banger, Metro’s spooky and atmospheric Savage Mode soundscapes laid the foundation for many of his subsequent musical endeavors. As time passed, his vision and creativity only expanded, though that iconic eeriness still lingered in many of his tunes; in fact, it seemed to be encouraged by 21 Savage, who pulled Metro back into his Savage Mode bag on 2017’s Offset collaboration tape Without Warning.
Now, in the month of Halloween, the pair have reunited to deliver another full-length album. Everything from the hype to the scale appears to have quadrupled in size; case in point, Morgan Freeman serves as a narrator through the fifteen-track journey. There is certainly plenty of material to unpack, especially given how focused and charismatic 21 is throughout, turning in what may amount to the best rapping of his career. And yet it still feels appropriate to shine a spotlight on Metro Boomin, who continues to campaign for the coveted title of the production GOAT; no easy feat, but a seat at that particular table is a victory unto itself.
Despite the intro’s Freeman-voiced thesis that the pair have essentially become one, here are five of Savage Mode II’s standout dark bangers…based entirely on a few early spins, of course.
RUNNIN’
Setting things off with an immersive bang, Metro wastes little time in showing off a few new tricks. Opting to build around a melancholic vocal loop Metro deftly loops a fragmented and pitched up sample, imbuing “Runnin’” with the slightest of golden-era qualities. The additional elements are straightforward enough — a haunting low-end piano bassline and up-tempo trap drums — but paired altogether, and Savage Mode II kicks off on an appropriately sinister note.
GLOCK IN MY LAP
The transition from “Runnin’” into “Glock In My Lap” is easily one of the project’s high points. A three-way collaboration between Metro, Southside, and Honorable C.N.O.T.E, “Glock In My Lap” lulls listeners into a false sense of security with its simple two-note piano riff. As the track progresses, unsettling string sections elevate the urgency, one of the most murderous sounds we’ve heard in a minute. Throw in some crafty synth work for good measure, and we’re looking at an easy highlight off Savage Mode II.
SLIDIN’
After a few stylistic deviations, Metro Boomin reroutes back into dark banger territory with “Slidin.” A master of simplistic arrangements, it’s the sounds he chooses that breathe life into his work. Here, his chosen element is a bizarre synth stab, once again following that two-note progression. Bobbing like will o’ the wisps over his lively percussion, the instrumental once again spurs a spirited performance from 21 Savage, whose menace only enhances once Metro brings yet another melodic layer into the mix.
MANY MEN
What makes Metro so effective is his willingness to work with both synthesized and orchestral elements, often pairing them together to create interesting soundscapes. On “Many Men,” the former serves as the dominant driving force of the instrumental, with the latter represented by some subtle, yet undeniably mournful woodwinds. Though the main riff seems to encourage a violence response, Metro allows for a soft hint of regret to shine through, adding a certain gravity to 21’s actions.
MY DAWG
When “My Dawg” first begins, things can feel rather disorienting. 21 pulls a DaBaby and kicks off a dexterous flow off the top, floating over an ominous, horror-film-esque piano progression. It’s initially difficult to catch where he’ll find the beat, but part of the excitement comes in knowing that Metro will make it work. Upon bringing the snares in, 21’s flow suddenly makes complete sense. It’s but one of many brilliant production flourishes to be found throughout, making this one an easy standout track on an album full of memorable moments.
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Olivier Martinez Wants Halle Berry to Cover $240K in Legal Fees Amid Custody Dispute.
French actor Olivier Martinez is asking a Los Angeles judge to make his ex-wife, Halle Berry, pay $240,000 in legal fees as their custody battle continues. Martinez allegedly says he can no longer afford the mounting litigation costs, especially after years without landing an acting role.
The request comes less than a week after the former couple received a mixed ruling on custody of their 13-year-old son, Maceo. The latest legal dispute between them is now about Martinez’s finances, and the actor is asking Berry for help paying bills he says are hard to manage.
Court documents have been obtained, and the $240,000 request is made up of two different amounts. Martinez is seeking $176,522.58 for outstanding legal fees and an additional $63,477.42 for anticipated costs. The figures indicate he is asking the court to consider both the costs he has already incurred and the legal work he anticipates will be necessary as the case progresses.
The documents also detail Martinez’s reported financial situation. He says he makes around $776.34 a month in acting residuals, and his monthly expenses are estimated at $17,555.99. He also reported approximately $43,206 in different financial accounts. Martinez is using these figures to argue that he can no longer fund the custody litigation on his own.
One piece of financial information in the filing is his disclosed residual income, but this does not represent all income sources available to him. The documents as described are a snapshot of the financial information Martinez is relying on to make his request, not a full accounting of all possible earnings.
The request adds another financial issue to an ongoing custody dispute involving their son, Berry said. The ex-spouses recently received a mixed ruling, and Martinez’s latest filing indicates that legal fees remain a major concern as they work through issues involving Maceo.
That’s $240,000, which is a lot of money, but the request itself is not a court order. Martinez is asking a judge to make Berry pay for the costs, but the information provided does not indicate that the court has approved the request or decided how the fees should be split.
His filing also points to the financial strain that can come with drawn-out family court fights, especially when one party claims their resources are no longer adequate to cover the expenses. Martinez argues that, based on the income and expenses reported, he can’t keep paying the bills without help.
It is not known whether Berry will be asked to contribute. Martinez is now seeking a financial arrangement that will allow him to continue the legal process, and the court is due to consider his request as part of the ongoing legal dispute between the former couple.
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Cardi B Rips NYC Bullying After Death of Bronx Teen Javits Frimpong
Cardi B is speaking out on bullying in New York City after 15-year-old Bronx student Javits Frimpong was shot and killed. The rapper spoke out against the teen’s death and slammed what she called a bullying culture in the city on a livestream caught by “Hollywood Unlocked.”
Based on the information provided, Frimpong, a 15-year-old student from the Bronx, was shot and killed this week. Cardi B spoke about the case in a social media livestream, using the moment to highlight her concern about the environment young people face. She focused on bullying and what she thinks it does to life in New York City.
The rapper said the situation makes her reluctant to raise her children in the vicinity of a New York public school or in what she called the city’s ‘hoods’. She spoke out of concern about safety and the social pressures young people may feel. The information provided does not give any more details about the circumstances of Frimpong’s death or the investigation into the shooting.
Cardi B’s response also fits into her broader pattern of speaking freely on social media about personal matters and events around her. She is also talking about a tragedy involving a young student and what she sees as a larger issue facing the city. She spoke about bullying, which she said was a concern in the environment.
The account also said that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie addressed Frimpong’s case. Details of his remarks are not included in the information, but his response adds another Bronx-connected artist to those reacting to the death of the teenager.
The incident has caught the attention of people in the music community, and Cardi B’s comments have sparked discussion about bullying and concerns for young people’s safety. She spoke emotionally and directly, in response to the death of a teen from her home borough.
The information released does not link bullying to the circumstances of the shooting, nor does it include any information on suspects, charges, or official findings. These are things outside the scope of the account given. Frimpong’s death has sparked public reaction, including Cardi B’s criticism of what she sees as a damaging culture for young people in New York.
The tragedy also prompted Cardi B to express concern about the environments children grow up in. Her comments about public schools and city neighborhoods revealed her fears as a parent. The public reaction to Frimpong’s death continues to attract attention, and her comments have brought wider discussion about bullying into the public response.
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