Released: 2018 • Features: 21 Savage
“Don’t Come Out The House” by Metro Boomin featuring 21 Savage can be summarized as a statement of turf protection and gang loyalty. It paints the harsh reality of street life and the struggles 21 Savage faced growing up in Atlanta.
The repetitive refrain, “Don’t come out the house ’cause the gang outside,” serves as a warning sign to rival gang members. In this context, ‘bang outside, hang outside’ suggests the constant vigilance and preparedness for violent encounters that life on the streets demands. This is a common theme in hip-hop, highlighting the dangerous lifestyle and territorial disputes that can lead to violence.
When 21 Savage raps “13, got my first stripe, Glenwood road, where they shiest”, he’s talking about his initiation into street life at a young age in a notoriously rough neighbourhood in Atlanta. The “first stripe” is a metaphor for a significant accolade or achievement in the gang world, often associated with violent acts. He also demonstrates his allegiance to his gang, “Slaughter Gang,” when he raps “Slaughter Gang so I keep a knife, nigga.”
His lyrics, “We was broke so all we ate was rice, nigga, Paid the J’s to cut on my mama’s lights” reveal the struggles of his impoverished upbringing. Here, ‘J’s’ likely refers to the police or someone in authority, suggesting that 21 had to resort to bribery for basic necessities like electricity.
The verse, “Rappers think they it, but they really just clowns” is a bold critique of other rappers who 21 Savage feels don’t authentically represent hip-hop or their claimed lifestyle. “Gucci store, a hundred thou’, that’s just in a day” is a flex, boasting about his financial success and the luxury lifestyle he now enjoys.
The conclusion, “If Young Metro don’t trust you, I’m gon’ shoot you”, is a popular tagline for Metro Boomin, suggesting that if you’re not trusted by his circle, you could be a potential target. In the context of the song, it further emphasizes their street-oriented loyalty and gang culture.
