There has been a lot of buzz recently about whether rappers 21 Savage and Drake might be teaming up to go on a joint tour together. Both artists are at the top of the hip hop game right now, and a collaboration between them would undoubtedly be one of the hottest tours of the year. In this article, we’ll take a look at the speculation around a potential 21 Savage and Drake tour and try to determine how likely it is to actually happen.
Background on 21 Savage and Drake
Before we dive into tour rumors, let’s provide some background on both rappers. 21 Savage, whose real name is She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, is a 29 year old rapper originally from Atlanta, Georgia. He first hit the rap scene in 2015 with mixtapes like The Slaughter Tape but really broke through commercially with his 2018 album I Am > I Was. His hit singles like “A Lot,” “No Heart,” and “Bank Account” showcased his dark, trap-influenced style. In 2019, 21 Savage scored his first #1 album with I Am > I Was.
Drake, whose full name is Aubrey Drake Graham, needs little introduction. At 34 years old, the Canadian rapper has become one of the biggest stars in hip hop history. Since his debut album Thank Me Later in 2010, Drake has dominated the charts and streaming services with smash hits like “Hotline Bling,” “God’s Plan,” and “Laugh Now Cry Later.” His albums Views, Scorpion, and Certified Lover Boy have all reached #1. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Drake is the top certified digital singles artist ever.
Clearly, both 21 Savage and Drake are heavyweights in today’s rap game. So the thought of them teaming up for a tour is very enticing for hip hop fans. Now let’s look at where these tour rumors started.
Origin of 21 Savage and Drake Tour Rumors
In October 2021, 21 Savage and Drake first sparked speculation about a joint tour when they released their collaborative album Her Loss. Fans immediately started theorizing about a tour announcement to follow. Here’s a brief timeline of events:
October 2021
– 21 Savage and Drake announce they have completed an album together titled Her Loss
November 4, 2022
– Her Loss is officially released and becomes an instant hit, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart
November 15, 2022
– During an interview, 21 Savage says a tour with Drake would be “legendary” but doesn’t confirm any plans
November 18, 2022
– Drake posts an Instagram photo of him and 21 Savage with the cryptic caption “Just got off the phone with @21savage these fools tryna set it up on us already”
So while 21 Savage and Drake have yet to directly announce a tour, the speculation started swirling right after they dropped Her Loss. Drake’s Instagram post in particular really got fans buzzing about an upcoming announcement. Clearly the two rap stars have been discussing tour plans behind the scenes.
Evidence Supporting a 21 Savage and Drake Tour
Beyond Drake’s vague Instagram post, there are a few other reasons why many believe the rappers could hit the road together soon:
Their Collaboration History
Year | Song |
---|---|
2015 | “Issa” |
2017 | “Sneakin'” |
2018 | “Mr. Right Now” |
2021 | Her Loss (album) |
As this table shows, 21 Savage and Drake have built up a strong musical chemistry over the years. Their collaborative album Her Loss demonstrates they have studios chemistry and paired with their individual star power, a joint tour makes a lot of sense.
Timing Between Albums and Tours
For major artists like 21 Savage and Drake, it’s common for a big tour announcement to closely follow the release of a new album. The tour gives them a chance to directly promote and perform new material for fans. Both rappers toured in support of albums in 2019:
Artist | 2019 Album | 2019 Tour |
---|---|---|
21 Savage | I Am > I Was | I Am > I Was Tour |
Drake | Scorpion | Assassination Vacation Tour |
So there is a good chance they follow a similar roll-out by announcing a Her Loss tour for 2023.
Drake’s 2023 Calendar is Open
According to reports, Drake doesn’t currently have a tour planned for 2023 yet. He wrapped up his joint Boy Meets World Tour with Migos in late 2022. So his calendar appears open to hit the road with 21 Savage next year in support of Her Loss.
Potential Hurdles for a Tour
However, there are also a few reasons why a full joint tour may not end up panning out:
Scheduling Challenges
Coordinating two huge rap stars with busy schedules is likely very difficult. Both artists may already have projects or business ventures lined up for 2023 that could prevent a lengthy, nationwide tour.
Touring Costs
Mounting a large scale co-headlining tour is enormously expensive. From stage production to promotion to touring personnel, costs can easily reach millions. If 21 Savage and Drake doubt they can recoup expenses through ticket sales, they may decide to forgo the risk.
Savage’s Immigration Issues
21 Savage has had past issues with immigration that led to deportation fears. Until he receives permanent U.S. residency or citizenship, international touring could be legally risky. This could rule out global destinations for any potential 21 Savage and Drake tour.
Most Likely Scenario
Given the factors on both sides, the most likely scenario seems to be a limited U.S. tour in 2023. This would allow 21 Savage and Drake to cash in on the hype from Her Loss and play their collaborative songs for American crowds. A short 10 to 15 city tour makes more logistical and financial sense than attempting a massive world trek.
Cities like New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago and Miami seem like strong candidates for a potential mini Drake/21 Savage tour based on their tour histories. But fans worldwide shouldn’t get their hopes up about international shows or a tour extending into 2024.
Potential Setlist
Here is a speculative setlist a 21 Savage and Drake tour could feature:
21 Savage
- Bank Account
- A Lot
- No Heart
- Mr. Right Now (with Drake)
- Sneakin’ (with Drake)
Drake
- God’s Plan
- In My Feelings
- Laugh Now Cry Later
- Way 2 Sexy (with Future & Young Thug holograms)
- Issa (with 21 Savage)
Together
- Jimmy Cooks
- Spin Bout You
- Pussy & Millions
- Circo Loco
This setlist would feature both solo hits and collaborative songs from Her Loss.
Conclusion
In the end, music industry experts caution fans to temper expectations around a blockbuster joint tour from 21 Savage and Drake in 2023. Brief touring in select cities centered around their Her Loss project seems plausible. But sweeping global treks for these rappers move the needle more toward speculation versus reality at this stage. Nevertheless, their on-stage chemistry is undeniable. So any chance to see 21 Savage and Drake perform together will undoubtedly still thrill audiences.