Recalling his early encounters, 21 Savage mentioned seeing Gucci Mane at local spots, such as Church’s Chicken and Miss W’s. He described his upbringing in an area rife with challenges, including crime and violence, yet emphasized that his mother allowed him a degree of freedom to explore his surroundings. “She just used to let me figure it out,” he said, highlighting his bond with older peers, particularly a friend named Aaron, who acted as a protective figure during his youth.