21 Savage, Offset, & Metro Boomin — 'Without Warning'

Without any promotion, Without Warning speaks for itself.

There have bee numerous full length collaborations in recent years. Some of which include Gucci Mane and Lil Uzi Vert's 1017 vs. The World, Future and Young Thug's Super Slimey, and there's even anticipation for a Quavo and Travis Scott mixtape.

But Offset and 21 Savage?! With an entire project produced by Metro Boomin?! Did anyone see this coming? Read on for a track by track review of Without Warning.

1.) “Ghostface Killers”- This track sets the tone for the rest of the mixtape. Metro provides these two with a dark palette to paint with. It's the kind of soundscape he gave 21 for Savage Mode. Coming into this first song, I had no prior reference to gauge Offset and 21's chemistry. And yet this opening track leaves a great first impression. Offset runs rampant with that multi-syllabic flow, and 21’s cutthroat persona commands attention. Even if Travis Scott hadn't been included, this song would've been a success.

2.) “Rap Saved Me” ft. Quavo- These two interact more than Future and Young Thug did for their collab mixtape. This isn't the first song where Offset does ad-libs to compliment 21's hook. Quavo's grand entrance is brief yet decisive. I’m not impressed with this track like I was with the intro, but it's solid.

3.) “Ric Flair Drip”- Offset gets his first solo cut on this. He's melodic for the hook, and in beastmode for his verses. It's time for people to realize that he has a top ten flow in the game.

4.) “My Choppa Hate Niggas”- Next, it's 21’s turn for a solo cut. He comes with bars like “Finna open up a morgue, all this damn beef.” Geez 21... this track is black on black crime. Even when they have separate songs though, there's cohesion between Offset and 21. After 21 says, “it’s a nightmare on elm street” a few times, the beat transitions into Offset's next track. It's a minuscule detail but it makes all the difference.

5.) “Nightmare”- On the first hook, he says “soon as you close your eyes, nigga we right there.” Later, he says “soon as you open your eyes, nigga we right there.” It's a stark contrast that provides vivid imagery. Offset is a top tier lyricist. He doesn’t have a cutting edge message like Kendrick, but he has more than enough in his bag of tricks.

6.) “Mad Stalkers”- 21 takes assumes hook duty on this. This track is underwhelming compared to the energy on the previous tracks. Those 808s will bump in your car, but this track is skippable.

7.) “Disrespectful”- “Hurricane Harvey on my wrist, flooded out.” That's messed up 21; you shouldn't make metaphors comparing your swag to natural disasters. How could you? I apologize to all of the victims on behalf of 21 Savage. He can't help it; he's in savage mode on this track. Him and Offset murder this beat.

8.) “Run Up the Racks”- 21’s second solo cut. This time, Southside decided to assist Metro Boomin. This is a banger. 21 drops bars like "sipping on that mud like an oil spill."

9.) “Still Serving”- This is the most down-tempo track. Offset mops the floor with 21 on this one though. I was waiting for 21 to stop rapping. What’s with the repetition of “bosses” at the end of several lines? Come on 21...

10.) “Darth Vader”- I like how the 808s take a break when 21's verse comes on.“Run the money up, yeah I’m on that Real Estate shit”... is this the beginning of Woke Savage? They both slay this track. An impressive intro and outro are indispensable to a great project.

Essentials:

• “Nightmare”
• “Run Up The Racks”
• “Darth Vader”
• “Disrespectful”
• “Ric Flair Drip”
• “Ghostface Killers”

The Verdict:

Give Metro Boomin credit—he's a master curator. He gives his artists the perfect spaces for them to succeed. Surprisingly, 21 and Offset are adhesive. Without any promotion, Without Warning speaks for itself. And its language is pure flames. B+.

Sidenote: Takeoff, who’re you collaborating with?