Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph (born October 22, 1992) was born in Plaistow, London, England. He is a British-born American Rapper. He is professionally known as 21 Savage. He relocated to Atlanta with his mother when he was seven years old. In 2015, he released two mixtapes that brought him initial recognition, but it was his collaborative EP Savage Mode with Metro Boomin in 2016 that propelled him to international attention. The EP's singles "X" featuring Future and "No Heart" achieved significant success, reaching the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, his guest feature on Drake's single "Sneakin'" further bolstered his profile.
In January 2017, 21 Savage signed a recording contract with Epic Records, marking a significant milestone in his career. He followed this with his debut studio album, Issa Album, which peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. The album's lead single, "Bank Account," reached number 12 on the Hot 100, solidifying his position in the mainstream music scene. Later that year, he collaborated with Offset and Metro Boomin on the album Without Warning, which featured the hit song "Ric Flair Drip" that peaked at number 13 on the Hot 100.
21 Savage's breakthrough moment came with his feature on Post Malone's 2017 chart-topping single, "Rockstar." The song achieved immense popularity and earned Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Rap/Sung Performance in 2019. His second studio album, I Am > I Was, released in 2018, became his first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200. The album's standout track, "A Lot" featuring J. Cole, won Best Rap Song at the 2020 Grammy Awards.
In 2020, 21 Savage and Metro Boomin reunited for the highly anticipated sequel to their 2016 EP, releasing Savage Mode II. The album debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 and spawned two U.S. top 10 singles, "Runnin" and "Mr. Right Now" featuring Drake. The following year, 21 Savage achieved his second number-one debut on the Hot 100 as a featured artist on Drake's song "Jimmy Cooks" from his album Honestly, Nevermind.
Outside of his musical success, 21 Savage faced legal challenges. In February 2019, he was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to his status as a British citizen who had overstayed a visa. After being granted bond, his deportation hearing was postponed indefinitely, with his lawyers asserting that he had been living legally in the U.S. for several years prior to the visa's expiration in 2006.
Throughout his career, 21 Savage has consistently demonstrated his talent and versatility as a rapper, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. With his unique background and compelling storytelling, he continues to make an impact on the music industry.
