What makes The Slaughter Tape by 21 Savage notable?

This album garnered attention for its authentic representation of street culture and contributed to the emerging mumble rap trend. It laid the groundwork for 21 Savage's subsequent rise in popularity, leading to later collaborations with prominent artists and critical acclaim, including charting on the Billboard 200. The Slaughter Tape is 21 Savage's debut project, released in May 2015. At this point, he was still establishing himself in the Atlanta rap scene, following his earlier mixtape releases that hinted at his potential. This album set the foundation for his future success and marked a significant entry into the trap genre.

Who is The Slaughter Tape for?

The Slaughter Tape works well if you're into steady pacing for focused listening, gritty narratives of street life and background energy for casual vibes.

How many songs are on The Slaughter Tape?

The Slaughter Tape has 14 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

The Slaughter Tape

21 Savage · 2015

46 min · 14 tracks · trap music

Raw beats and gritty narratives intertwine, showcasing a stark portrayal of street life through 21 Savage's distinct delivery.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Slaughter Ya Daughter — This track exemplifies 21 Savage's unfiltered storytelling and dark humor, encapsulating the album's essence while addressing themes of violence and loyalty.
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Gang — The song features a menacing beat paired with sharp lyrics about street affiliations, highlighting Savage’s confidence and establishing his lyrical presence.
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Heart So Cold — In this track, Savage explores vulnerability amidst tough circumstances, offering insight into his emotional state while maintaining a hard-hitting flow.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album's raw beats and gritty narratives establish a strong identity within trap music.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of minimalistic, heavy bass beats that create a dark atmosphere throughout.
21 Savage employs a monotone delivery style that emphasizes the starkness of his lyrics, often repeating phrases for effect.
Tracks frequently transition without pause, maintaining a relentless pace that mirrors the urgency of the narratives.
Several songs incorporate ad-libs and background vocalizations that enhance the rawness of the production.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for focused listening
gritty narratives of street life
background energy for casual vibes
raw intensity for late nights

Maybe skip if you

prefer upbeat, fast tracks
seek melodic, harmonious sounds

Where this album fits

Career context: The Slaughter Tape is 21 Savage's debut project, released in May 2015. At this point, he was still establishing himself in the Atlanta rap scene, following his earlier mixtape releases that hinted at his potential. This album set the foundation for his future success and marked a significant entry into the trap genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Lil Baby· Gunna· Young Thug