London-born, Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage has distinguished himself from other hip-hop artists in his generation by projecting a message of financial literacy. However, the chart-topper didn’t build his wealth management skills without counsel, and some of his business mentors have given him tips that he has carried with him throughout his career.
One of those influencers is rapper-turned-mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, who in 2019 became hip-hop’s first proven and viable billionaire.
During an episode of fellow rapper Math Hoffa’s show, “My Expert Opinion,” 21 Savage shared some three financial gems the Roc Nation founder imparted.
“He just told me his top three things that he spends his money on. He just was like, ‘chef,’ I went and got a chef. A doctor, I went and got a doctor. And he said a lawyer. I already had a lawyer at the time,” 21 Savage said. And Jay-Z’s doctor does house calls.
Since receiving those tips, “Bank Account” rapper said his life has been enhanced.
“I eat cleaner. I don’t really gotta leave the house as much,” revealed 21, whose real name is Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph. “And the doctor is convenient, too. I hate hospitals and sh-t. It’s just good to have on call. He got a different level of doctor, though. His doctor and my shit is different. He got a real doctor. Not live-in, but they’ll come give you surgery at your house, type sh-t.”
Later the rapper took to social media and shared a private text between him and the “Can’t Knock the Hustle” veteran emcee.
It said, “Top 3 things … They asked you, “Why a doctor,” Can’t make no money/ or spend money without your health! Ha!”
He wrote in the redacted text, “Freedom/ lawyer/ deals/ lawyer. Doctor/ health. Chef/ quality of life.”
The same way Jay-Z pored into 21’s life; he has educated and inspired others coming up after him.
He has launched a free online financial program called “Bank Account at Home,” an initiative that seeks to educate youth on how to manage and earn money through his Leading by Example Foundation, according to The Associated Press.
The artist used his double-platinum single “Bank Account” as the inspiration for the initiative, one that he hopes will “create social awareness around financial literacy” and encourage “youth to understand the basics of managing money, opening bank accounts, and saving for college.”
During the early part of the global pandemic, he partnered with mobile banking service provider Chime, education technology platform EverFi and nonprofit Juma Ventures to provide the tools to young people to develop some basic money management skills.
According to the Chime website, the Leading By Example Foundation “is a 501c3 nonprofit foundation 21 Savage created to spearhead his philanthropic endeavors.”
He also worked with the former mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms to provide underserved students in the Peach State capital with free Wi-Fi and tablets as part of the initiative.
In another project, he launched the “21 Savage Bank Account” campaign, The Source reports, a partnership with Juma and Get Schooled designed to teach financial literacy through local programs and workshops.
“Get Schooled was founded in 2010 through a partnership with Viacom and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” the website states. “Our mission is to empower and engage young people and to give them the tools and inspiration to get the education they need to succeed. We use our digital platform, gamification, and a recipe we call ‘sizzle and substance’ to inspire and engage students.”
According to the website, Get Schooled as of 2019 had built a community of close to a million young people attending close to 11,000 middle schools, high schools, and colleges throughout the United States.
It’s been a learning process for 21 Savage as well. He confessed that back when “Bank Account” went to the tops of the charts, he didn’t understand banking at all.
“As I have gotten smarter about financial management,” he stated. “I realize how empowering it is to control your money rather than be controlled by it.”
He added, “I want to help kids with a background similar to mine to get smart about their money.”
It seems like he is.
