#21 Savage & J. Cole’s Classic ‘A Lot’ Certified 5x Platinum

According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the pair’s “a lot” track from Savage’s i am > i was album has officially been certified five times platinum.

US Certifications (@RIAA): @21savage, a lot 5x Platinum (5,000,000).

— chart data (@chartdata) April 1, 2021

Released as the lead single from i am > I was, “a lot” also earned Cole the 2019 HipHopDX Award for Verse of the Year as he highlighted young rappers caught up in the criminal justice system (6ix9ine), a slew of his NBA friends (Dennis Smith Jr., Markelle Fultz), and his prowess of nailing every guest verse he’d deliver all year, to the point believing other rappers feared him.

Days after the release of the video for “a lot” featuring Savage’s family and various scenes of the highs and lows of life, he was arrested by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). Although he was later released and cleared, the call-to-action for his release was made even louder by Cole, who solely wished for Savage’s freedom so he could once more provide for his children.

The impact of “a lot” carried over in 2020 as both Savage and Cole would win their first Grammy Award respectively for Best Rap Song. The track beat out singles from Nipsey Hussle, Cordae, Rick Ross and DaBaby to win the coveted honor.

Revisit the hit single from Savage and Cole with its powerful music video below.