21 Savage

21 Savage
Born	Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph (1992-10-22) October 22, 1992 Plaistow, London, England, UK
Occupation	Rapper
Years active	2013–present
Known for	Rap music, Billboard chart-topping albums and singles

Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph (born October 22, 1992), professionally recognized as 21 Savage, is a rapper originally from Britain who is now based in Atlanta, Georgia. Born in London and raised in the United States, he launched his music career in 2013 by independently releasing three mixtapes that garnered regional attention. His significant breakthrough came with the collaborative extended play (EP) Savage Mode (2016), created alongside producer Metro Boomin, which reached number 23 on the Billboard 200. The EP’s singles, "X" featuring Future and "No Heart", both achieved top 40 status on the Billboard Hot 100. Later in 2016, he further elevated his profile by appearing on Drake’s track "Sneakin'". In January 2017, he secured a recording deal with Epic Records.

His first studio album, Issa Album (2017), peaked at number two on the Billboard 200, with its leading single "Bank Account" climbing to number 12 on the Hot 100. That same year, he collaborated with Metro Boomin and fellow Georgia rapper Offset on the album Without Warning (2017), and also featured on Post Malone's hit single "Rockstar", which topped the Hot 100 chart and earned two Grammy nominations.

His sophomore album, I Am > I Was (2018), marked his first number one debut on the Billboard 200 and included the Grammy-winning track "A Lot" featuring J. Cole. In 2020, he reunited with Metro Boomin to release Savage Mode II, another Billboard 200 chart-topper that delivered top ten hits such as "Runnin" and "Mr. Right Now" featuring Drake. He also appeared on Drake’s 2022 single "Jimmy Cooks", which debuted at number one on the Hot 100. Later that year, they collaborated again on the album Her Loss, becoming his third project to reach the summit of the Billboard 200. His third solo album, American Dream (2024), continued this success with top-ten singles including "Redrum" and "Née-Nah".

On February 3, 2019, 21 Savage was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying an expired H-4 visa after entering the U.S. in July 2005 as a British citizen. He was released on bond on February 12 while awaiting deportation proceedings, which were indefinitely delayed due to legal arguments regarding his longstanding legal residency before his visa expired. In 2023, he obtained lawful permanent resident status in the United States and was issued a green card.

Early life

Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph entered the world on October 22, 1992, at Newham University Hospital in Plaistow, London. His parents are British: Heather Carmillia Joseph and Kevin Cornelius Emmons. His heritage is Caribbean; his mother’s lineage traces back to Dominica, while his father’s roots are from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with a Haitian grandfather on his paternal side. Abraham-Joseph identifies as African-American. His father and twin sisters—dance choreographers Kyra and Jayda Davis—reside in London where his father is employed by Westminster City Council.

Following his parents’ early separation, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia with his mother at age seven. When he was twelve in June 2005, he visited the UK for a month to attend his uncle’s funeral before returning to Atlanta on an H-4 visa that expired a year later. He had a brother named Quantivayus ("Tay-Man"), who was fatally shot following a drug-related incident.

During seventh grade at Stone Mountain Middle School, Abraham-Joseph was placed under probation for possessing a firearm. After breaking probation in eighth grade, he was expelled from the DeKalb County School District. Subsequently, he attended several schools throughout Atlanta before being sent to juvenile detention. Upon release, he completed eighth grade via an alternative education program and attended part of high school but dropped out during freshman year due to multiple suspensions.

After leaving school, he affiliated himself with a local street gang connected to the Bloods and became heavily involved in drug dealing—primarily cannabis distribution—as well as robbery and auto theft. He was arrested only once when contraband was discovered in a vehicle he was driving. In 2011, his close associate Larry died in a shootout. On his 21st birthday in 2013, Abraham-Joseph survived being shot six times during an attempted robbery by rival gang members; however, his best friend Johnny was killed during the incident.

2013–2015: Initial projects, The Slaughter Tape, and Slaughter King

Following the tragic passing of a close friend on his 21st birthday, 21 Savage embarked on his rap journey. His early career received financial backing from the uncle of his late friend, who funded studio sessions in 2013. On March 1, 2013, he introduced his first single, "I Can't Get Enough". His inaugural mixtape, The Slaughter Tape, dropped on May 25, 2015, earning him recognition as a notable figure in Atlanta's underground rap scene.

On July 2, 2015, he collaborated with Sonny Digital to release the EP Free Guwop, paying homage to rapper Gucci Mane. Later that year, on December 1, he unveiled his second mixtape, titled Slaughter King.

2016–2017: Savage Mode, Issa Album, and Without Warning

In June 2016, 21 Savage was selected for the "Freshman Class" by XXL. Shortly after, on July 15, he launched the joint EP Savage Mode alongside producer Metro Boomin. This project reached number 23 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking their highest-charting EP so far. The track "X", featuring Future, achieved platinum certification, becoming his first single to earn this status. By January 2017, he had inked a deal with Epic Records.

His first studio album, Issa Album, entered the US Billboard 200 at number two in 2017. The album’s leading single, "Bank Account", climbed to number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, he appeared on Post Malone's chart-topping single "Rockstar", which secured the number one spot on the Hot 100 and received Diamond certification from the RIAA—marking his inaugural number-one hit.

On October 31, 2017, the collaborative album Without Warning, created with Offset and Metro Boomin, debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 and garnered favorable critical reception. Its primary single "Ric Flair Drip" reached number 13 on the Hot 100 chart.

2018–2019: I Am > I Was

In early 2018, 21 Savage contributed to Young Thug's EP Hear No Evil, appeared on SahBabii's track "Outstanding", featured in BlocBoy JB's "Rover 2.0" from the mixtape Simi, and took part in Ty Dolla Sign's "Clout" from the deluxe version of Beach House 3.

On October 31, 2018, he hinted at a forthcoming project with Metro Boomin that was later confirmed as Metro’s debut album, Not All Heroes Wear Capes.

By December 6, 2018, he announced his sophomore studio album titled I Am > I Was, sharing its cover art via Instagram. After initially missing its intended release date, he confirmed it would be available on December 21, 2018. Producer Louis Bell leaked the tracklist beforehand; it featured collaborations with artists such as Travis Scott, Post Malone, Childish Gambino, Offset, J. Cole, Gunna, Lil Baby, Project Pat, Yung Miami, and Schoolboy Q—though none were listed as lead artists.

Upon release, I Am > I Was debuted atop the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales totaling 131,000 album-equivalent units (including 18,000 pure sales), marking his first chart-topping album in the United States. The lead single "A Lot", featuring J. Cole, peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him his first Grammy Award. In the following year of 2019, his sole release was the single "Immortal".

2020–2023: Savage Mode II, Spiral soundtrack, and Her Loss

In February 2020, 21 Savage and producer Metro Boomin revealed plans for a follow-up to their Savage Mode EP, titled Savage Mode II. A preview narrated by Morgan Freeman was unveiled on September 28, 2020, ahead of the album’s release on October 2. The project debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart, moving 171,000 units in its opening week. It included two singles that reached the top ten: "Runnin" and "Mr. Right Now", which featured Drake.

April 2021 saw the release of the EP Spiral, serving as the official soundtrack for the film Spiral: From the Book of Saw. Around this time, 21 Savage collaborated with Justin Bieber on DJ Khaled's track "Let It Go" from Khaled’s album Khaled Khaled. On May 14, he was featured on "My Life" from J. Cole's The Off-Season, which climbed to number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Later that year in October, he appeared on Nardo Wick's remix of "Who Want Smoke?" alongside G Herbo and Lil Durk, a track that peaked at number seventeen on the Hot 100 and earned a triple Platinum certification. On November 16, 2021, he was featured on Drake’s "Knife Talk" from the album Certified Lover Boy, which reached number four on the Hot 100 and was eventually certified five times Platinum.

On January 14, 2022, Savage was featured with Baby Tate on JID's single "Surround Sound". Shortly after, on February 4, he appeared on Chicago rapper King Von's track "Don't Play That", which attained number 40 on the Hot 100 chart. In March, he contributed to Latto’s "Wheelie" from her album 777. June brought a collaboration involving Pharrell Williams, Tyler, the Creator, and Drake, with Savage featuring on Drake’s chart-topping single "Jimmy Cooks" from Honestly, Nevermind. This song marked his second number-one hit on the Hot 100 and was reissued as a single in October alongside a music video that announced their joint album Her Loss, released November 4. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with sales of 404,000 units; all sixteen songs charted on the Hot 100, eight of which entered the top ten.

On December 2, 2022, Savage appeared on four tracks from Metro Boomin's album Heroes & Villains, including "Creepin'" with The Weeknd. This song was re-released as the lead single in January 2023 and peaked at number three on the Hot 100. Subsequently, it received a remix featuring Diddy.

Early in 2023, Savage was featured on Young Nudy's "Peaches & Eggplants", Gucci Mane's "06 Gucci" alongside DaBaby, and Lil Durk's "War Bout It" from his album Almost Healed. In June, he contributed vocals to two tracks on Metro Boomin’s soundtrack for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and appeared on Toosii's album Naujour. Later that month, he took part in Burna Boy's remix of "Sittin' on Top of the World," which earned a nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Additionally, he featured twice on Young Thug's album Business Is Business and twice more on Travis Scott’s release Utopia.

On September 15, Savage appeared on Rod Wave’s "Turks & Caicos" from the album Nostalgia as well as on "Another One of Me" alongside Diddy and The Weeknd. In October, he was featured on Drake’s track "Calling for You" from his eighth studio album, For All the Dogs.

2024–present: American Dream

On January 8, 2024, 21 Savage announced a biographical film titled American Dream: The 21 Savage Story, featuring himself alongside Donald Glover and Caleb McLaughlin. However, he later clarified on January 24 during Shannon Sharpe's podcast, Club Shay Shay, that the film was not real and its “trailer” was intended as a spoof.

Two days after the initial announcement, on January 10, 2024, Savage unveiled his third studio album, American Dream, which was officially released on January 12. This project includes collaborations with artists such as Travis Scott, Young Thug, Doja Cat, Brent Faiyaz, Lil Durk, Summer Walker, Mariah the Scientist, Burna Boy, and Metro Boomin. The album entered the Billboard 200 chart at number one with first-week sales totaling 133,000 units. This achievement marked his sixth entry into the top ten and his fourth consecutive album to reach the summit of the charts.

The album's promotion was bolstered by singles including "Redrum" and "N.H.I.E." featuring Doja Cat; these tracks peaked at numbers five and nineteen on the Billboard Hot 100 respectively. Additionally, "Née-Nah", featuring Travis Scott and Metro Boomin, debuted at number ten. Burna Boy’s single "Sittin' On Top of the World", which features 21 Savage, earned a nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. At the ceremony, Burna Boy performed this track alongside 21 Savage and Brandy, whose 1998 hit "Top of the World" is heavily sampled within the song.

Musical style

Metro Boomin has described 21 Savage as "one of the last authentic street artists still producing music." His lyrical content is deeply personal, often reflecting on violent experiences and criminal activities from his past such as alleged homicide involvement and drug trafficking. Vocally, he is recognized for his distinctive villainous monotone drawl and cites influence from groups like Three 6 Mafia.

Philanthropy

Between 2016 and 2019, 21 Savage organized the "Issa Back to School Drive" in Atlanta, offering complimentary haircuts, school supplies, and uniforms to children. In March 2018, he appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to launch the 21 Savage Bank Account Campaign, donating $21,000 aimed at enhancing financial literacy among young people. Later that year, he provided $10,000 to support an anti-bullying initiative at Continental Colony Elementary School in Atlanta.

On July 1, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he introduced a free online financial education program for youth in collaboration with Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. This initiative also included distributing tablets and WiFi access to students from underserved communities.

Personal life

Both 21 Savage and his mother practice the traditional West African faith of Ifá. He began dating model Amber Rose in June 2017; however, their relationship ended in May 2018. In October 2017, he commenced flight training in a Cirrus SR20 single-engine plane.

In 2018, he launched the "Guns Down, Paintballs Up" campaign aimed at curbing gun violence by encouraging paintball gun use instead of firearms. Detroit Police Chief James Craig criticized this initiative as "well-intended but misguided," following reports linking paintball guns to injuries, property damage, and retaliatory violence. The campaign became associated with incidents involving property crimes and homicides. Although 21 Savage has not publicly commented on these outcomes, he did cover funeral expenses for a child who died in a related event.

The song "ASMR" from his album I Am > I Was stirred controversy due to lyrics mentioning "Jewish money," which were condemned for reinforcing negative stereotypes. In response, 21 Savage issued an apology on Twitter expressing his respect for the Jewish community.

In November 2020, his half-brother Terrell Davis (known as "TM1Way") was tragically stabbed to death in Lambeth, London.

In September 2025, rapper Latto confirmed their romantic relationship following widespread speculation about their connection.

Feuds

At the beginning of 2020, tensions arose between 21 Savage and producer Young Chop following Chop’s disparaging remarks about 21 Savage during an Instagram livestream. On April 6, Chop stated that while he was reportedly riding in an Uber within 21 Savage’s neighborhood attempting to find him, an unidentified assailant fired shots at his vehicle. Fortunately, Chop was unharmed. However, no independent verification of the shooting exists, and no video footage captured any gunfire.

Legal issues

In October 2014, 21 Savage faced a felony drug conviction in Fulton County, Georgia.

Further controversy ensued on June 10, 2018, when he brandished a firearm amid a dispute at a pool party. The gun had been handed to him by an associate after a rival group member drew a weapon.

On February 15, 2019, 21 Savage turned himself in due to a felony theft by deception charge linked to a 2016 concert engagement. He was accused of accepting $17,000 for a performance that he neither delivered nor refunded. He was subsequently released on his own recognizance while awaiting court proceedings.

Illegal immigration charges

Two days after unveiling the music video for his track "A Lot", on February 3, 2019, 21 Savage was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a traffic stop involving his cousin, Young Nudy, and two other individuals. Young Nudy and the others faced allegations of aggravated assault and breaching the Georgia Gang Act. 21 Savage later asserted that he was also targeted in this operation.

ICE disclosed that 21 Savage holds British citizenship and had overstayed his non-immigrant visa since July 2006. His representatives stated that he had been pursuing visa renewal since 2017. Prior to this revelation, it was commonly believed he originated from the Atlanta area; interviews frequently cited Atlanta or Decatur, Georgia as his hometown.

An ICE representative commented, "His entire public image is misleading. He arrived in the U.S. from the U.K. as a teenager and overstayed his visa." However, a birth certificate revealed he was born in Newham, London on October 22, 1992, making him only 12 years old when his visa expired in July 2005—not technically a teenager. He first entered the United States at age seven, briefly left in 2005 for a funeral, then re-entered later that year. His lawyer confirmed the visa overstay but emphasized that he never concealed his status and had applied for a U visa, granted to victims of crimes who assist law enforcement.

21 Savage was released from ICE custody on February 13, 2019. His immigration hearing was initially set for April but was postponed indefinitely due to court delays. Additional postponements occurred after new criminal charges were filed in January 2022.

On October 5, 2023, rapper Drake dropped "8AM in Charlotte", claiming that 21 Savage had obtained a green card. This claim was verified by both 21 Savage and his attorney the next day, allowing him to travel internationally with upcoming plans for global performances.

Lawsuits

In November 2022, both 21 Savage and Drake were sued by Condé Nast, publisher of Vogue, for using the Vogue name without authorization to promote their joint album Her Loss.

Discography

Studio albums

• Issa Album (2017)
• I Am > I Was (2018)
• American Dream (2024)

Collaborative albums

• Without Warning (alongside Offset and Metro Boomin) (2017)
• Savage Mode II (with Metro Boomin) (2020)
• Her Loss (in partnership with Drake) (2022)

Filmography

21 Savage took part in the animated YouTube mini-series titled Year 2100.

Video games

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2023	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II	Himself	Playable character downloadable content; voice and likeness featured

Tours

Headlining

• Issa Tour (2017)
• Numb the Pain Tour (2017)
• I Am > I Was Tour (2019)
• American Dream Tour (2024)

Co-headlining

• The Off-Season Tour (2021)
• It's All a Blur Tour (2023)

Opening act

• HiHorse'd Tour (2016)
• Beerbongs & Bentleys Tour (2018)

Awards and nominations

Award	Year	Nominee	Category	Outcome	Ref.
American Music Awards	2018	"Rockstar" (featuring Post Malone)	Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Song	Template:Nom
			Collaboration of the Year	Template:Nom
Berlin Music Video Awards	2024	"Redrum"	Best Director	Template:Nom
BET Awards	2017	Himself	Best New Artist	Template:Nom
	2018	"Bartier Cardi" (featuring Cardi B)	Best Collaboration	Template:Nom
	2019	Himself	Best Male Hip Hop Artist	Template:Nom
		"A Lot" (featuring J. Cole)	Video of the Year	Template:Nom
		Best Collaboration	Template:Nom
	2021	Himself & Metro Boomin	Best Group	Template:Nom
	2023	"Her Loss" (with Drake)	Album of the Year	Template:Nom
		Himself & Drake	Best Group	Template:Won
		"Creepin'" (with Metro Boomin, The Weeknd)	Best Collaboration	Template:Nom
		Himself	Best Male Hip Hop Artist	Template:Nom
		"Jimmy Cooks" (with Drake)	Viewer's Choice Award	Template:Nom

Award	Year	Nominee	Category	Outcome	Ref.

rowspan="4"|2024 Himself American Dream "Good Good" (with Usher & Summer Walker)BET Award for Best Collaboration rowspan="23"|BET Hip Hop Awards rowspan="3"|2018 rowspan="4"|2019 rowspan="3"| "A Lot" (with J. Cole) rowspan="3"|2021 Himself & Metro Boomin Savage Mode II(with Metro Boomin) 2022 rowspan="12"|2023 rowspan="3"|Himself Lyricist of the Year Hustler of the Year Himself & Drake Her Loss(with Drake) Best Collaboration rowspan="2"|Song of the Year rowspan="15"|Billboard Music Awards rowspan="5"|2018 Himself rowspan="4"| "Rockstar" (with Post Malone) Top Collaboration Top Rap Song 2022 rowspan="9"|2023 rowspan="2"|Himself rowspan="2"|Her Loss(with Drake) rowspan="4"| "Creepin'" (with Metro Boomin, The Weeknd) Top Collaboration Top R&B Song

BET Award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
BET Award for Album of the Year
BET Award for Video of the Year
"Bartier Cardi"	Best Featured Verse
"Ric Flair Drip" (with Offset and Metro Boomin)	Best Collabo, Duo or Group
"Rockstar" (with Post Malone)
Best Hip Hop Video
Best Collabo, Duo or Group
Impact Track
"Wish Wish" (with DJ Khaled & Cardi B)	Best Featured Verse
Best Duo/Group
Hip Hop Album of the Year
"Mr. Right Now" (with Drake & Metro Boomin)	Best Collaboration
"Jimmy Cooks" (with Drake)
Hip Hop Artist of the Year
Best Duo/Group
Hip Hop Album of the Year
"Spin Bout U" (with Drake)	rowspan="2"|Best Hip Hop Video
"Sittin' on Top of the World" (with Burna Boy)
"Rich Flex" (with Drake)
"Sittin' on Top of the World" (with Burna Boy)	rowspan="2"|Best Featured Verse
"Creepin'" (with Metro Boomin, The Weeknd)
Top New Artist
Top Hot 100 Song
Top Streaming Song (Audio)
Knife Talk (with Drake and Project Pat)
Top Rap Artist
Top Rap Male Artist
Top Billboard 200 Album
Top Rap Album
Top Hot 100 Song
Top Radio Song
	-	"Rich Flex" (with Drake)	Top Rap Song	- Brit Awards - 2023 - Drake & 21 Savage - Best International Group - - rowspan="11"|Grammy Awards - rowspan="2"|2019 - -"Rockstar" (with Post Malone) - Record of the Year - - - - Best Rap/Sung Performance - Template:Nom - - rowSpan=2 | 2020 - - "A Lot" - Best Rap Song - Template:Won - "I Am Greater than I Was" - Best Rap Album - Template:Nom - rowSpan=2 | 2022 - - "My Life" (with J. Cole and Morray) - Best Rap Performance - Template:Nom - - Best Rap Song - Template:Nom - rowSpan=5 | 2024 - - "Rich Flex" (with Drake) - Template:Nom - - Best Rap Performance - Template:Nom - - "Spin Bout U" (with Drake) - rowSpan=2 | Best Melodic Rap Performance - Template:Nom - - "Sittin' on Top of the World" (with Burna Boy) - Template:Nom - - Her Loss (with Drake) - Best Rap Album - Template:Nom - rowSpan=2 | iHeartRadio Music Awards 2018 Himself Best New Hip-hop Artist Template:Nom - Rockstar (with Post Malone) Hip-hop Song of the Year Template:Nom - rowSpan=2 | iHeartRadio Titanium Awards 2018 Rockstar (with Post Malone) 1 Billion Total Audience Spins on iHeartRadio Stations Template:Won - 2023 Creepin' (with Metro Boomin, The Weeknd) Template:Won - rowSpan=2 | MTV Europe Music Awards 2018 Rockstar (with Post Malone) Best Song Template:Nom - 2023 Creepin' (with Metro Boomin, The Weeknd) Best Collaboration Template:Nom - rowSpan=5 | MTV Video Music Awards 2018 Rockstar (with Post Malone) Song of the Year Template:Won - Bartier Cardi Best Hip Hop Video Template:Nom - 2019 A Lot Video of the Year Template:Nom - Best Hip Hop Template:Nom - 2024 Good Good (with Usher & Summer Walker) Best R&B Template:Nom - Streamy Awards 7th Streamy Awards 2017 Himself Breakthrough Artist Template:Nom

See also

• List of artists who have achieved number one on the UK Singles Chart