21 Savage is closing out 2025 with WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STREETS?, his rawest solo swing since American Dream, out now on Slaughter Gang and Epic, and I WISH teams him with Jawan Harris for that reflective gut-punch—like staring down old scars over a slow ride through the city.
This closer is Savage at his most unguarded: sparse trap keys from producers Anthony R. Smith and Isaiah Brown underscoring his monotone menace, flipping into Harris’s soulful, gospel-tinged pleas that swell like a lump in your throat. It’s Southern hip-hop laced with R&B ache—think booming 808s that fade into piano whispers, a far cry from his icy flexes but rooted in that Atlanta grit he’s never shaken.
Thematically, it’s a litany of what-ifs: wishing CJ dodged the trap life, Dolph skipped the delivery, Nipsey stayed in bed, Takeoff nursed a flu instead of fate’s bullet. Savage tallies the toll—tears forming oceans, cameras chasing chaos—while grappling with personal scars like missing his grandma’s hugs post-green card. It’s grief as autobiography, no armor, just raw hindsight on a culture that devours its young, born from late-night vents that turned therapy into bars.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STREETS? lands as a 14-track gut-check on the game’s evolution, kicking off with “WHERE YOU FROM” to set that zone-check tone and weaving through bangers like “MR RECOUP” with Drake’s sly assist, “DOG $HIT” flipping chaos with GloRilla, and “ATLANTA TEARS” linking arms with Lil Baby for hometown therapy. The halftime interlude breaks it up like a quick smoke, but the whole thing’s a nod to roots—less pop flex, more unfiltered zone talk amid features from Young Nudy, Latto, G Herbo, and Metro Boomin. It’s Savage asking where the code went, blending his icy precision with guests who keep it family. Teasers lit up his Insta last week, with the tracklist reveal sparking debates on the features alone.
A year after American Dream’s chart dominance and that surprise Her Loss follow-up buzz, 21’s in full command mode—tour-packed, merch empire strong, but dialing back the shine for this one. It’s him reclaiming the narrative, evolving from trap king to storyteller who’s lived every bar, proving the streets’ questions don’t fade with the plaques.
Dive into the I WISH lyrics below and unpack its raw narrative. Don’t miss other WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STREETS? tracks for more of 21 Savage’s street soul.
| Lead Vocals | 21 Savage |
| Songwriter | 21 Savage, Jawan Harris, Keith Thomas, Spiff Sinatra, Isaiah Brown, Honest Thomas, True Thomas, B.O. Dubb, Sire Castrello Raymond & R. Kelly |
| Music Producer | Anthony R. Smith & Isaiah Brown |
| 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 I WISH by 21 Savage
[Intro]
I Wish, I Wish, I Wish
I Wish, I Wish, I Wish
I Wish, I Wish, I Wish
Woah
I Wish Cj Never Even Tried to Sell That Boy Dope
Should’ve Picked Up Tayman and Just Let Him Ride to the Yo’
Pain Killin’ Me Inside, but I Can’t Let It Show
Every Time I See They Mamas, I Wanna Drop to the Floor
I Wish Dolph Would’ve Uber Eats Them Cookies Instead
I Wish Nipsey Stayed at Home With Lauren, Chilled in the Bed
You Could Prolly Make a Ocean From the Tears People Shed
but You Know It Bring Hate, Dog, When You Get Ahead
I Wish Takeoff Got Sick and Had to Stay in Atlanta
Real Drinker, You Ain’t Even Like No Ice With Your Fanta
Used to Swear That It Was Fate ‘Cause the Shit Was So Random
Nowadays, People Hear Shots and Pull Out They Camera
I Wish Me and Johnny Said, “Fuck It”, Turned Back ‘Round
if Yo’ Name Come Up ‘Bout Schemin’ You Gon’ Get Smacked Down
Lil Keed Was a Player, Dawg, No Cap, No Gown
I Wish Trouble Got a Room and Hit That Ho Outta Town [Chorus: Jawan Harris]
Oh, I Wish
I Wish That I Could See My Friend (I Wish)
Just So I Could Smile Again, I Wish (Smile)
I Know This Ain’t the End, I Wish (Ain’t the End)
‘Cause I’ma See Him Again Someday (I Wish)
I’ve Been Tryna Hold It Down, I Wish (Hold It Down)
Since My Niggas Ain’t Around, I Wish (Ain’t Around)
I Hope I Make You Proud (I Wish)
I Wish, I Wish, I Wish [Verse 2: 21 Savage]
and I Wish X Never Even Went to That Store
Still Rockin’ My Dior, Long Live Pop Smoke
Young Superstars, I Wish They Got the Freedom to Grow
Pnb, We Love You, Wish You Got That Chicken to Go
Can’t Believe I Seen Rich Homie Quan on a Shirt
I Wish Juice Wrld Never Even Took That Perc’
I Hate a Stupid Bitch, Long Live Scooter, Free Dirk
Seem Like Funerals the Only Time I Walk in a Church
I Wish Von Would’ve Never Even Went to the Club
I Miss Grandma, She Took Care of the Whole Hood Just ‘Cause
Killed My Lil’ Brother, Nigga, I Ain’t Got No Love
Got My Green Card and I Couldn’t Even Give Him a Hug [Chorus: Jawan Harris]
Oh, I Wish
I Wish That I Could See My Friend (I Wish)
(Wish That I Could See You)
Just So I Could Smile Again (I Wish)
(I Need to Smile, Need to Smile)
I Know This Ain’t the End, I Wish (Oh My, Oh)
‘Cause I’ma See You Again Someday (I Wish)
I’ve Been Tryna Hold It Down (I Wish)
Since My Niggas Ain’t Around (I Wish)
I Know You’re Lookin’ Down, Hope I Make You Proud (I Wish)
Hey, Hey, Yeah
[Outro: Jawan Harris]
I Wish, I Wish, I Wish
I Wish, Mmm, I Wish
Wish My Niggas Were Still Here
and if I Make It Out This Thug Life
Let Me Hear the Children Say
I Wish, I Wish, I Wish
Ooh, Ooh
I Wish, I Wish, I Wish
Ooh, Ooh
I Wish, I Wish, I Wish
I Wish, I Wish, I Wish
