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If the demand is there why not…

The internet lost its mind over the summer when Lil Baby said he only did features for other artists for $100,000 USD (around $130,000 AUD) . Well, it turns out that seems pretty standard for rappers, with 21 Savage’s manager recently opening up on 21’s fee for guest verses.

Taking to Twitter to share some info that managers are probably not meant to share, Savages manager Meezy kept it all the way 100, stating that “Dawg a 21 Savage feature is 6 FIGURES,” adding “y’all gotta stop wit da ‘check ya dm bra u playin,'” referring to the numerous lesser-known rappers who DM him asking for a 21 feature.

Dawg a 21 Savage feature is 6 FIGURES … y’all gotta stop wit da “check ya dm bra u playin” lol naw cause when u get hit wit da ticket u ain’t built for it 🗡

— Stone Mound Meezy (@MEGAMEEZY) January 11, 2021

It’s pretty fucking audacious, but honestly, why not. He’s one of the biggest stars in the hip hop game so if people are willing to shell that out, then who are we to judge?

But it wasn’t always like that, with rapper T.I reflecting with Savage about the early days on his ExpediTIously podcast a couple weeks back. Specifically, he recounted the time Savage asked him to sign him for $1 million USD ($1.3 million AUD), but Tip declined, instead telling him to go for a deal that let him keep the rights to his music (that’s a real one right there).

“I had the same conversation with Thug,” he said. “If I give you a $1 million, I’m going to take 10 times as much because that’s just the way the game goes. If you want to maintain ownership of your art and equity in your art, you need to go through those tough times in the beginning.

“Can’t accept upfront money and cushion your blow. You have to go ahead and get it out the mud the same way you do anything else.”

Damn straight. They start talking about the encounter around the 2:45 mark of the hour-and-a-half long podcast. Check out the full conversation below.