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I Am > I Was
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  • Record Label:
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I Am > I Was Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 123 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the Atlanta rapper features guest appearances from Childish Gambino, Gunna, Lil Baby, Offset, Post Malone, Project Pat, ScHoolboy Q, Young Nudy, and City Girls' Yung Miami.
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Top Track

ASMR
Y'all know what's goin' on 21 Gang 'til I'm gone 4L Gang 'til I'm gone If Young Metro don't trust you, I'm gon'— Roll the window down, stick the... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Variety
    Jan 2, 2019
    85
    Despite all the high-profile guests, it’s actually on the soulfully inventive “Ball w/o You,” “Gun Smoke” and the sensual “Out for the Night”--which all feature 21 Savage on his own--that “i am > i was” is at its best and most dynamic.
  2. HipHopDX
    Jan 2, 2019
    84
    At 15 songs and 51 minutes long, it’s an enjoyable listen with good pacing, filled with the right amount of vulnerability, heartache, menace, and savagery.
  3. The Guardian
    Jan 4, 2019
    80
    There is a slight uptick in vocal musicality compared with his previous work. ... He has plenty of average lines--almost as offensive as the rightly controversial “Jewish money” lyric in ASMR is the weakness of “you get burned like toast” as a simile--but his catchy flows always make him magnetic, especially when paired with universally brilliant production from Metro Boomin, Kid Hazel and others.
  4. Pitchfork
    Jan 2, 2019
    78
    i am > i was shatters the notion of 21 Savage as a specialist with a narrow purview and audience, and recasts him as a star in waiting, all without forcing him into unflattering contortions. It also cements him as a far more original stylist than other hopefuls from Atlanta.
  5. The 405
    Jan 11, 2019
    75
    Overall, it’s a massive improvement on the disappointing Issa Album, with 21 Savage showing maturity whilst keeping his dark humour and persona.
  6. Consequence
    Jan 2, 2019
    67
    21 Savage’s ability to express a variety of feelings allows the music to stand out at times and become more than a generic gangsta rap presentation. It’s unfortunate, then, that the record finds itself held back by unfeeling and monotonous takes on issues like gun violence. Overall, i am > i was is a mixed bag of experience that offers enough solid tracks to keep fans latched on.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. LogosKal
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    One of the best trap albums of all time, better than the most of the mumble rap bs (a lot
  2. Easyman
    Jan 7, 2019
    9
    21 is making a bigger name for himself with a pretty solid album. Some of tracks might be a little to much but those songs are saved by21 is making a bigger name for himself with a pretty solid album. Some of tracks might be a little to much but those songs are saved by brilliant features such as Childish Gambino, Post, J. Cole, and Travis “la flame” Scott. 21’s work deserves a lot more notice.… Expand
  4. Numba1Stunna
    Jan 7, 2019
    9
    This is a very solid album. Great production throughout and 21 shows a lot of maturity. “Gun smoke” and “4L” are absolute BANGERS. The featureThis is a very solid album. Great production throughout and 21 shows a lot of maturity. “Gun smoke” and “4L” are absolute BANGERS. The feature with J. Cole is excellent (“a lot”), as is the one with Childish Gambino (“monster”). He has several tracks where he appears solo (like the aforementioned “gun smoke”) and one of my faves on the album is “out for the night”. Whether you prefer old or new school, this album will appeal to you. Overall, in my opinion, his best effort yet.… Expand
  5. HeavyMachinegun
    Jan 7, 2019
    8
    Such a great work by someone like 21 savage. He is greater than he was, just stuck in the mainstream commercial spots in the past, he was anSuch a great work by someone like 21 savage. He is greater than he was, just stuck in the mainstream commercial spots in the past, he was an image in the mumble rap game. But now, with this album, you can clearly see his evolution and maturity, how his music evolved, better lyrics, better beats, a better production in general, making him a fine artist that has something to say. With that being said, probably the features and collaboration with other artists really helped him gaining something more during the album, but in general, it's a great piece of work.… Expand
  6. AdityMaha
    Jun 11, 2022
    7
    I Personally thought that this Album was **** amazing with the expection of the track "out for the night pt.2" the rest of the project was aI Personally thought that this Album was **** amazing with the expection of the track "out for the night pt.2" the rest of the project was a pretty banger of Album which also features a couple of my absolute favorite 21 Savage songs to this day like: "Monster(feat. Childish Gambino), a lot(feat. J. Cole), 1.5(feat. Offset) and 4L along with other bangers like out for the night 1 and all my friends which featured a killer chorus by Post Malone. Anyway this Album as a whole is pretty amazing and is in opinion at least 21 Savage's better solo project he has released(he has only released 2 Solo albums so far in his carrer) this album definitely has its high points and low points and for that I think that 21 Savage's 2018 Shomphore Album "i am > i was" is a Strong 7 out of 10.… Expand
  7. Hendo250
    Apr 6, 2021
    7
    this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7
  8. dubsv
    Mar 8, 2020
    0
    mumble dick garbage this shouldnt be in the hip hop section at all this is trash his fans r trash

See all 14 User Reviews

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