Knife Talk (with 21 Savage ft. Project Pat)

"Knife Talk" is a gritty and menacing exploration of street life, violence, and unwavering loyalty to one's crew. The song, featuring verses from Drake, 21 Savage, and an intro from Project Pat, delves into the harsh realities of a dangerous lifestyle where survival often necessitates ruthless actions. The overarching theme is a stark portrayal of the artists' preparedness to use violence to protect their status and territory. The title itself, "Knife Talk," is a metaphor for this violent and threatening conversation, where actions speak louder than words. Each artist brings their unique perspective to this central theme. Project Pat's intro sets a somber and violent tone, speaking to the necessity of crime to survive on the streets. 21 Savage builds on this with explicit declarations of his capacity for violence, identifying himself as a "body catcher" and emphasizing his dangerous nature. Drake's verses, while still carrying a threatening undertone, also touch on themes of paranoia, wealth, and the legacy he is building for his son. The song can be seen as a celebration of their roots and a stern warning to any rivals.

The song opens with a raw and unfiltered depiction of street survival, articulated by Project Pat. He paints a picture of a life where one must be ruthless to get by, suggesting that illicit activities and violence are often necessary for self-preservation. The lyrics convey a constant state of alertness and the grim reality that a life of crime can lead to a premature death. There's a sense of being hardened by this environment, where resorting to violence is a casual and frequent occurrence.

Following this introduction, 21 Savage steps in with a verse that amplifies the theme of violence and a fearsome reputation. He portrays himself as a formidable figure, a 'body catcher' and 'soul snatcher,' who is far from ordinary and exceptionally dangerous. His lyrics are filled with imagery of high-powered firearms and a deep-seated loyalty to his gang, 'Slaughter Gang.' He makes it clear that his identity is rooted in the streets, not in the glamorous world of a rap star, and that he commands respect through intimidation and a willingness to engage in violent confrontations. The references to specific guns and gang affiliations ground his narrative in a tangible and threatening reality.

Drake's verses introduce a different dimension to the song's narrative. While he echoes the themes of intimidation and violence, his lyrics also touch upon his elevated status, wealth, and the paranoia that comes with it. He speaks of adversaries who are too fearful to even make eye contact and asserts his dominance by warning them to abandon their pride. Drake's narrative weaves together threats with boasts about his luxurious lifestyle, such as flying to the Turks and Caicos Islands, and even hints at using darker forces like a 'voodoo curse' to handle his enemies. He also reflects on his legacy, stating that his accumulated wealth and status will be inherited by his son.

The recurring chorus, "Gang shit, that's all I'm on," serves as a powerful and unifying declaration of allegiance for all three artists. It's a constant reminder of their roots and the code of the streets that they adhere to. This simple yet effective line reinforces the song's central theme of loyalty to one's crew and the lifestyle it entails. The outro reinforces the grim consequences of this life with imagery of gunfire and death, juxtaposed with the idea of a choir singing, creating a somber and chilling conclusion to the track. The final lines bring back the theme of legacy, emphasizing that the opulence and success achieved are for the next generation.

"Knife Talk" was released on September 3, 2021, as a track on Drake's sixth studio album, Certified Lover Boy, and was later released as the album's third single on November 16, 2021. The song was produced by Metro Boomin and Peter Lee Johnson, with pianist Kiefer contributing to the track. An interesting aspect of its creation is that the song was originally intended for 21 Savage and Metro Boomin's collaborative album, Savage Mode II. Project Pat revealed that the track, initially titled "Gang Shit," didn't make the final cut for 21 Savage's album. Drake then acquired the song, with 21 Savage stating that he sent it to Drake just a couple of days before Certified Lover Boy was released, and Drake recorded his verse a day before the album's drop. The song prominently samples Project Pat's verse from Juicy J's 2017 track "Feed the Streets," which was also co-produced by Metro Boomin. The official music video, directed by Pablo Rochat, was released on November 4, 2021. It features a black-and-white, horror film-inspired aesthetic, mixing vintage cartoons with footage of the rappers wielding large knives, and includes clips from the 1962 horror film Carnival of Souls and the 1971 Italian slasher film Lo strangolatore di Vienna.

The rhyme and rhythm in "Knife Talk" are integral to its menacing and gritty feel. The song is built on a foundation of trap music's characteristic rhythmic patterns, including sharp hi-hats and a deep, resonant bass. The tempo is steady and driving, creating a sense of relentless forward momentum. The artists employ a variety of rhyme schemes, though much of it leans towards a free verse style with a focus on internal rhymes and assonance to create a cohesive flow. For instance, in Project Pat's intro, we see rhymes like "streets" and "cheat," and "liquor" and "quicker." 21 Savage uses a more consistent end-rhyme scheme in parts of his verses, such as "snatcher," "Raptor," and "clapper." His flow is notably influenced by Project Pat's style, characterized by a distinctive cadence that emphasizes certain syllables and elongates others, giving his delivery a unique rhythmic texture. Drake's flow is more varied, shifting between faster-paced sections and more deliberate, conversational rhythms. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the underlying beat is a key feature, with the rappers often weaving their lines around the instrumental's prominent rhythmic figures.

"Knife Talk" is a prime example of the trap and horrorcore genres, characterized by its menacing beat, dark piano melodies, and heavy bassline. The song's structure is notable for the trading of verses between Drake and 21 Savage, creating a dynamic chemistry. A key stylistic element is the use of a sample from Project Pat's verse on "Feed the Streets," which not only provides the intro but also sets the authentic Memphis rap tone for the entire track. The vocal deliveries are a crucial component; Project Pat's distinctive Southern drawl and unique flow, which stresses the penultimate syllable and draws out the final one, establishes a rugged and pained mood. 21 Savage emulates this flow in his own verses, demonstrating a stylistic homage to Project Pat. Drake's smoother delivery provides a contrast to the rawness of 21 Savage and Project Pat. The use of ad-libs, such as "Gang shit," throughout the track serves as a recurring motif that reinforces the theme of gang loyalty. An analysis of the lyrics on the album Certified Lover Boy found that clipping, a type of slang word formation (e.g., 'gon' for 'going to'), is a frequently used literary device.

"Knife Talk" achieved significant commercial success and cultural impact following its release. The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remained on the chart for 29 weeks. It was also certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA. The track was a standout on Drake's highly anticipated album Certified Lover Boy and was praised for its dark, cinematic production. The song's success was further bolstered by its horror-themed music video, which garnered considerable attention. "Knife Talk" is also credited with helping to solidify the collaborative chemistry between Drake and 21 Savage, which would later lead to their joint album, Her Loss. The track's influence extends to its popularization of a menacing, Memphis-inspired trap sound, with Project Pat's flow, in particular, being noted and even emulated by other artists. The song and its accompanying video also contributed to various online trends and memes, further cementing its place in popular culture. For his work on the song, 21 Savage received a Grammy nomination.

The central metaphor in "Knife Talk" is the title itself, which represents a language of violence and intimidation, a conversation where threats are backed by the willingness to use deadly force. The song is filled with vivid and often grim imagery and metaphors that reinforce its dark themes. 21 Savage's declaration of being a "mister body catcher" and "Slaughter Gang soul snatcher" are stark metaphors for being a killer. He also uses a vehicular metaphor, stating, "Ain't no regular F-150, this a fuckin' Raptor," to emphasize that he is not an ordinary individual but someone far more powerful and dangerous. Drake employs the imagery of being unable to be looked in the eyes to symbolize his dominance and the fear he instills in his rivals. The mention of a "voodoo curse" by Drake introduces a supernatural element to his threats, suggesting he can cause harm from a distance. Project Pat's opening lines, "I gotta feed the streets, my pistol gon' bleed the streets," personify the streets as something that needs to be fed with money from illicit activities, while his pistol will make the streets bleed with violence.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "Knife Talk" is the chant "Gang shit, that's all I'm on." This line is repeated multiple times by both 21 Savage and Drake, serving as the song's primary hook and a powerful declaration of their unwavering allegiance to their respective crews and the street lifestyle. Its repetition reinforces the central theme of loyalty and a commitment to a specific code of conduct. Another recurring motif is the imagery of violence and weaponry. Phrases like "bleed the streets," "body catcher," and numerous references to specific firearms like AK-47s and FNs are woven throughout the verses, creating a constant atmosphere of danger and aggression. The song's title, "Knife Talk," also functions as a motif, symbolizing a form of communication that is inherently violent and threatening. The outro features the repeated phrase "let it bang bang," further emphasizing the theme of gun violence and its fatal consequences.