Many listeners and artists have voiced the opinion that rap lyrics are frequently biased and exaggerated accounts of real-life occurrences, which has sparked discussions about whether or not they can be included as evidence in legal proceedings. While some of Savage’s cold-blooded raps may not be as autobiographical as fans think, he touched on that distinction in a new interview with Rolling Stone 21. He elaborated on how the themes of his songs are consistent with his anti-violence activism.

As the interview progresses, Savage goes on to call his music “fictional as hell.” Speaking more specifically, he says, “some of it be based off of real life, but a lot of it be creative stories.” A prevalent argument is that rap lyrics are often inspired by genuine occurrences, but they shouldn’t be taken at face value as accurate accounts of those events. Various rappers have used it in court as a defense, and fans have used it online to protest the practice. Read Savage’s entire comment on it down below.

Atlanta, the city that 21 Savage adopted, recently had a ceremony honoring him. Last Monday, Fulton County, which encompasses most of the city, formally acknowledged the rapper as an honorary citizen. Artists like Gucci Mane and Usher had comparable days in their hometowns last month. Even though Savage was born in a different country, he has been representing Atlanta for many years. Many people associate him with the city, and he often teams up with other local rappers.