21 Savage apologizes for ‘Jewish money’ song lyrics after LeBron’s apology

Over the past weekend, NBA superstar LeBron James found himself drawing plenty of attention after an Instagram post quoted controversial hip-hop lyrics. The Los Angeles Lakers star posted a line from part of a 21 Savage song called “ASMR” which included a line saying “We been getting that Jewish money. Everything is kosher.” After posting the line, on his Instagram stories post, LeBron ultimately apologized for it.

According to Hot New Hip Hop, 21 Savage is also offering an apology for the lyrics he penned and used in his track. Early on Christmas Day, 21 Savage posted on his Twitter account to clarify what he meant with the lyrics. He mentioned, “The Jewish people I know are very wise with there [sic] money.” The hip-hop artist added, “I’m sorry if I offended everybody never my intention I love all people.”

The track “ASMR” comes from a new 21 Savage mixtape called “I am > I was.” The new release includes guest spots from Post Malone, Gunna, Childish Gambino, ScHoolboy Q, Travis Scott, and J. Cole among other artists. However, that particular song’s lyrics were considered offensive and anti-Semitic by some people. LeBron James’ Instagram Story post brought more attention to it once the media picked it up.

Among the media who retweeted or shared a screenshot of LeBron’s original post was sports business reporter Darren Rovell. He questioned LeBron’s judgment in sharing the particular lyric, noting that James is usually “careful” with what he does. Rovell also said he didn’t think quoting lyrics from a song should “absolve the person quoting from the responsibility behind the words.”

After his Instagram Story post, LeBron James noted that he tends to quote song lyrics he’s listening to when he’s in his car just listening to music. The Lakers star called his social media post the “byproduct” of listening to great music and posting some of the lyrics. He went on to offer, “My apologies. It definitely was not the intent, obviously, to hurt anybody.”

There was no punitive action of any kind taken by the National Basketball Association for the social media post. In addition, the song continues to be available as part of 21 Savage’s new streaming mixtape, as the controversy is probably helping it enjoy more publicity than it might have otherwise.