21 Savage and G Herbo are linking up like old war vets on WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STREETS?, 21’s surprise drop hitting today via Epic Records, and CODE OF HONOR snaps like a pinky swear sealed in gun smoke—raw oaths to the code that kept ’em breathing.
This one’s heavy from the jump, opening with 21’s raw intro about losing “Johnny”—a close friend gunned down unexpectedly, the kind of untouchable you never see coming. From there, it’s a shared eulogy for the fallen and the code that binds the survivors, over a brooding beat from Taurus and Casper that rumbles like distant thunder: sparse piano keys, muffled drums, and a low hum that lets the pain breathe. 21’s verse unpacks the grind—running up racks but icing out his bros, late-night serves with just a Ruger for company, and that shattering moment Larry got hit with his mom in the car. He flips envy into distance, admitting success cracked old bonds, but he’d still handle threats himself. Herbo slides in next, reminiscing on pouring Act’ with Gilly before prison, ignoring Kobe’s ignored warnings, and graduating from a .32 to sticks while dodging the statistic trap. It’s trap at its most confessional, blending East Coast grit with ATL’s unflinching edge, all about survival’s toll without romanticizing the violence.
The album? It’s 21 questioning the erosion of street ethos in a 50-minute gut-check, pulling from sessions spanning his Metro Boomin collabs to fresh ink. Stack includes heavy hitters: Drake on “MR RECOUP,” Lil Baby closing “ATLANTA TEARS,” GloRilla snarling “DOG $HIT,” Young Nudy on “STEPBROTHERS,” Latto popping “POP IT,” and Metro’s tag on “GANG OVER EVERYTHING.” Interludes like “HALFTIME” break up the barrage, but it’s cohesive chaos—no singles pre-drop, just a full-project ambush proving 21’s back to blueprinting the trap lane.
21’s storming 2025 off American Dream’s double-platinum run and that sold-out Issa Tour extension through spring, where he dusted off classics that bent arenas. Herbo, fresh from Strictly 4 My Fans 2’s critical heat, adds that drill-rooted edge he’s sharpened post-legal wins—together, they’re the elders schooling the game on codes that don’t bend, even as the streets evolve into something colder.
Dive into the CODE OF HONOR lyrics below and unpack its raw narrative. Don’t miss other WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STREETS? tracks for more of 21 Savage’s unflinching street tales.
| Lead Vocals | 21 Savage & G Herbo |
| Songwriter | 21 Savage, G Herbo, Taurus, Casper & Sade Adu |
| Music Producer | Taurus & Casper |
| Distributor | Sony Music Entertainment |
| Label | Slaughter Gang & Epic Records |
| Release Date | December 12, 2025 |
| Song Language | English |
| Copyright © | Slaughter Gang, Epic Records & Sony Music Entertainment |
| Phonographic Copyright ℗ | Slaughter Gang, Epic Records & Sony Music Entertainment |
Lyrics of CODE OF HONOR by 21 Savage
[Intro]
Not Johnny, Cuz, Hell Nah, Man, Shit Like That Was Difficult, Was Like—
When Bro Passed That Shit Was— It Wasn’t Expected ‘Cause Like
Like That Ain’t No Nigga You Thought That Would Die, You Know What I’m Sayin’?
Nigga Always Had a Good Eye, Nigga Always on Point Like the Way He Move Like
So Like Hearin’ Johnny Died, Like What? Like That Nigga Was Untouchable
Tattoos Cover My Face
Scars on My Whole Body
on the Cup Bad, I’m Missing Johnny
I Had Shootouts With Him Right Beside Me
Code of Honor, Man, It’s Understood
I Gave Everything to My Hood
Call Me Pussy, Boy, I Wish You Would
F**k a Shooter, Nigga, I’ll Do It
Hundred M’s, I Done Ran Through It
Iced the Bros Out Like I’m ‘Posed to Do It
You Think I’m Bluffin’, Nigga, Call My Jeweler
Twenty Chains Like I’m Rick the Ruler
Late Night Serving, It Was Just Me and My Ruger
Hollow Hit Your Head and Matter Come Out Your Medula
Wrecked the Hotbox on the Move, My Mama Called a Uber
Scared to Be Myself Around You, Feel Like I Might Lose You
Larry Got Killed With His Mama, I Broke Into Pieces
I’ma Up This B**ch and Blam Soon as You Get to Reachin’
I Was Adolescent Thuggin’, Didn’t No Og Teach Me
Treated Buddy Like My Blood and He Was F**kin’ Leechin’
I Just Want the Best for You, My Nigga, I Ain’t Preachin’
You Got Envy in Your Heart, and That’s Why We Ain’t Speakin’
Soon as I Became Successful, Like Our Bond Weakened
Better Thank God That I Ain’t Smack Your Ass and Leave You Leakin’ [Chorus: 21 Savage]
Tattoos Cover My Face
Scars on My Whole Body
on the Cup Bad, I’m Missing Johnny
I Had Shootouts With Him Right Beside Me
Code of Honor, Man, It’s Understood
I Gave Everything to My Hood
Call Me Pussy, Boy, I Wish You Would
F**k a Shooter, Nigga, I’ll Do It [Verse 2: G Herbo]
Worth Some Millions, I Was Still Posted in the Trenches
Wartime We Goin’ for It, Like It’s Fourth and Inches (Phew)
Poured a Four of Act’ With Gilly ‘Fore He Took His Sentence
Old Days, He Was Twice My Age, Not to Mention (Yeah)
I Told Kobe Not to Walk Home, but He Didn’t Listen (Mhm)
I Heard Every Shot Go Off When Them Nigga Hit Him (Damn)
Before This Rap Shit Got Turnt, I Really Been on Missions
That’s Why Anywhere on Earth, I Blend in With the Killers
Still Remember That First Hit, I Blew a .32, Whole Six
Back and Forth, Now This B**ch Lit, I Had to Graduate to a Stick
You Ain’t Never Pull Up in Four Whips,
Jump Out (Skrrt), Leave Everybody on They Shit (Grah)
I Got Aim, I Don’t Need No Switch, No Cap, I’ma Empty This B**ch Quick
Can’t Believe That I Got Rich
Dad to Move My Mama Way Out to the Sticks ‘Cause Nigga Wicked
I Couldn’t End Up Like Some Ones I Once Loved, and Be a Statistic
Act Like Hoes ‘Cause They Can’t Kick It
or Worse Than That, They Turn to Witnesses
Beat the Streats, Sometimes I Miss It
[Outro: G Herbo]
Dead Friends Tatted in My Skin
I Lost Greg, Damn, I Miss My Twin
I Lost Rock, All I Did Was Spin
Swear to God, I Would Do It Again
in My Feelings, Got Me Drug Abusin’
Only Thing That Saved Me Was Music
Got My Glock on Me, I’m Ridin’, Cruisin’
F**k a Hitter, Nigga, I’ll Use It
