Rapper 21 Savage is facing backlash for the way he concluded his latest album, What Happened to the Streets?, released on Friday.
According to Complex, the project’s final track, “I Wish,” featuring Jawan Harris, samples R. Kelly’s 2000 track of the same name, and it’s landed the 33-year-old in hot water with fans.
On ‘I Wish,’ 21 Savage remembers rappers who’ve passed away in recent years
According to iHeart.com, “I Wish” sees 21 Savage pay tribute to rappers who’ve passed away in recent years, including Nipsey Hussle, Young Dolph, PnB Rock, Rich Homie Quan, King Von, Takeoff, Juice WRLD, Lil Keed and others.
“I wish Dolph would’ve Uber Eats them cookies instead/ I wish Nipsey stayed at home with Lauren, chilled in the bed,” 21 Savage raps on the track before adding, “I wish Takeoff got sick and had to stay in Atlanta.”
“I Wish” is one of 14 tracks on the album, including collaborations with 21 Savage’s longtime pal Drake as well as GloRilla, Latto and Lil Baby, among others.
Fans criticize 21 Savage’s ‘dusty ass choice’ to sample R. Kelly
Many fans are unhappy with the R. Kelly sample on the track, with some condemning it as a “dusty ass choice” and arguing that it may influence a younger generation to discover the R&B singer, who’s currently serving a 31-year sentence at a North Carolina institution after being convicted on multiple charges of child sexual abuse.
But there are some who are much more receptive to 21 Savage’s R. Kelly sample.
The sample didn’t perturb one user, but they didn’t care for the song.