Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, known professionally as 21 Savage, is a rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He was born in London, England, on October 22, 1992, and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, with his mother at the age of seven. His early life in Atlanta was marked by challenges, including being expelled from middle school for gun possession. On his 21st birthday, he was shot six times in an incident where his friend was killed.
Career Beginnings
21 Savage began his rap career in 2013. He gained initial recognition in the Atlanta underground scene with his 2015 mixtape, "The Slaughter Tape". His breakthrough came in 2016 with the collaborative EP "Savage Mode" with producer Metro Boomin. The EP featured the hit singles "X" and "No Heart", both of which charted on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, he was featured on Drake's single "Sneakin'" and was named to XXL's "Freshman Class".
Mainstream Success
In January 2017, 21 Savage signed a record deal with Epic Records. His debut studio album, "Issa Album" (2017), debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, and its lead single, "Bank Account," became a top 20 hit. Later that year, he collaborated with Offset and Metro Boomin on the album "Without Warning" and was featured on Post Malone's chart-topping single "Rockstar," which earned him two Grammy nominations. His second album, "I Am > I Was" (2018), became his first to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. The album's single "A Lot" featuring J. Cole won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song.
Collaborations and Recent Work
21 Savage continued his success with "Savage Mode II" (2020), another collaboration with Metro Boomin, which also topped the charts. In 2022, he and Drake released the collaborative album "Her Loss," which became his third number-one album. His feature on Drake's "Jimmy Cooks" also earned him his first number-one debut on the Hot 100. His third solo studio album, "American Dream," was released in January 2024 and also debuted at number one, marking his fourth consecutive chart-topping album.
Legal Issues and Citizenship
In February 2019, 21 Savage was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which revealed he is a British citizen who had overstayed his visa that expired in 2006. He was released on bond pending a deportation hearing. In October 2023, it was confirmed that he had become a lawful permanent resident of the United States, allowing him to travel internationally.
Philanthropy
21 Savage is also known for his philanthropic work. He founded the Leading by Example Foundation in 2018, which provides financial literacy education to underserved youth. His "21 Savage Bank Account Campaign" helps kids learn how to save and open bank accounts. He has hosted annual back-to-school drives in his Atlanta neighborhood, providing free school supplies and uniforms. In recognition of his charitable efforts, DeKalb County in Georgia declared December 21st "21 Savage Day".