21 Savage facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 21 Savage
21 Savage in 2018
Born	Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph (1992-10-22) 22 October 1992 (age 32) Plaistow, London, England
Occupation	Rapper songwriter record producer
Years active	2013–present
Works	Discography
Children	3
Musical career
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Southern hip hop trap mumble rap
Labels	Epic The Orchard Slaughter Gang

Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph (born October 22, 1992), known as 21 Savage, is a rapper from both America and Britain. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, after being born in London.

He started his music career in 2013. He released three independent mixtapes that became popular locally. His big breakthrough was an EP (Extended Play) called Savage Mode (2016). He made this with producer Metro Boomin. This EP reached number 23 on the Billboard 200 chart. Two songs from it, "X" and "No Heart", made it into the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Later in 2016, he became even more famous. He was featured on Drake's song "Sneakin'". In January 2017, he signed a record deal with Epic Records.

His first studio album, Issa Album (2017), reached number two on the Billboard 200. The main song from it, "Bank Account", got to number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, he released another album, Without Warning (2017). He made this with Metro Boomin and rapper Offset. He also appeared on Post Malone's song "Rockstar" in 2017. This song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It was nominated for two Grammy Awards.

His second album, I Am > I Was (2018), was his first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200. The song "A Lot" (featuring J. Cole) won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song. In 2020, he and Metro Boomin released Savage Mode II. This album also debuted at number one. It had two top-ten songs, "Runnin" and "Mr. Right Now" (featuring Drake).

In 2022, he was featured on Drake's song "Jimmy Cooks". This was his first song to debut at number one on the Hot 100. Later that year, he and Drake released a joint album, Her Loss (2022). This album also reached number one. His third album, American Dream (2024), was his fourth album in a row to top the charts. It included top-ten songs like "Redrum" and "Née-Nah".

On February 3, 2019, 21 Savage was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Officials said he was a British citizen who came to the U.S. in July 2005. They stated he stayed longer than allowed on a visa that expired in 2006. He was released on bond on February 13, 2019. His lawyers said he had been living legally in the U.S. for many years before 2005. In 2023, 21 Savage became a lawful permanent resident of the United States. He received his green card. He can apply for citizenship in 2028.

Early Life and School

21 Savage was born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph on October 22, 1992. He was born in Plaistow, London. His parents, Heather Carmillia Joseph and Kevin Cornelius Emmons, are British. His mother's family is from Dominica, and his father's is from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. His parents separated when he was young.

When he was seven, he moved with his mother to Atlanta, Georgia. In June 2005, at age 12, he visited the United Kingdom for a month. He returned to Atlanta on July 22, 2005, on a visa. His mother later had more children with Dr. Amsu Anpu.

In 7th grade, 21 Savage was permanently banned from all schools in DeKalb County School District. This was because he broke school rules. He then went to different schools around Atlanta metropolitan area. He was later sent to a juvenile detention center. After being released, he finished 8th grade through a special program. He started high school but dropped out in his first year. He said he was "exhausted" from being excluded many times.

Music Career

Starting Out (2013–2015)

21 Savage started rapping after a sad event involving a friend on his 21st birthday. His friend's uncle helped him pay for studio time in 2013. On March 1, 2013, his first song, "I Can't Get Enough," came out. His first mixtape, The Slaughter Tape, was released on May 25, 2015. Interview Magazine called him an "underground hero in Atlanta" after this release.

On July 2, 2015, 21 Savage released an EP called Free Guwop. He made it with Sonny Digital. This EP was a tribute to rapper Gucci Mane. On December 1, 2015, 21 Savage released his second mixtape, Slaughter King.

Rising to Fame (2016–2017)

In June 2016, XXL magazine named 21 Savage one of their "Freshman Class" of 2016. On July 15, 2016, he released the EP Savage Mode with producer Metro Boomin. This EP became very popular worldwide. It reached number 23 on the Billboard 200. In November 2016, he was on the cover of The Fader magazine. The song "X" from Savage Mode, featuring Future, became a platinum record in the US. This was 21 Savage's first platinum song. On January 18, 2017, he announced he had signed with Epic Records.

In 2017, his first studio album, Issa Album, debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200. Its main song, "Bank Account", reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Later that year, he was featured on Post Malone's song "Rockstar". This song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and broke many records. It was 21 Savage's first number-one song. It was later certified Diamond by the RIAA.

On October 31, 2017, 21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin released a joint album called Without Warning. This album debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200. Critics generally liked it. Its main song, "Ric Flair Drip", reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

More Success (2018–2019)

21 Savage in June 2018

In April 2018, 21 Savage was featured on Young Thug's EP Hear No Evil. He was also on songs by Nicki Minaj and Lil Uzi Vert. Later that month, he appeared on "Outstanding" by SahBabii. He was also on "Rover 2.0" from BlocBoy JB's mixtape Simi. The next month, he was featured on Ty Dolla Sign's "Clout".

On December 6, 2018, 21 Savage shared the cover art for his album, I Am > I Was, on Instagram. He used many goat emojis in the caption. The next day, he joked on Twitter that he "forgot" to release the album. He announced a new release date of December 21, 2018. The list of songs was shared by producer Louis Bell on December 13, 2018.

21 Savage released his second studio album I Am > I Was on December 21, 2018. It featured artists like Travis Scott, Post Malone, Childish Gambino, Offset, J. Cole, Gunna, Lil Baby, Project Pat, Yung Miami, and Schoolboy Q. None of these artists were officially credited on the album. I Am > I Was debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. This was 21 Savage's first number one album in the US. The song "A Lot", featuring J. Cole, led the album. The song reached number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also earned 21 Savage his first Grammy award. In 2019, 21 Savage released only one song called "Immortal".

Recent Projects (2020–Present)

In February 2020, 21 Savage and Metro Boomin hinted at a sequel to their Savage Mode EP, called Savage Mode II. On September 28, 2020, a preview for Savage Mode II was released. It was narrated by Morgan Freeman. The album came out on October 2. This joint album reached number one on the Billboard 200. It included two top-ten songs: "Runnin" and "Mr. Right Now", featuring Drake.

In April 2021, 21 Savage announced his new EP, Spiral. This was the official soundtrack for the movie Spiral: From the Book of Saw. He was also featured on DJ Khaled's song "Let It Go" with Justin Bieber. On May 14, 2021, he released the Spiral EP. The same day, he was on the song "My Life" from J. Cole's album The Off-Season. This song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. In October 2021, he appeared on the remix of Nardo Wick's "Who Want Smoke?". This song reached number seventeen on the Billboard Hot 100. On November 16, 2021, Savage was featured on Drake's "Knife Talk". This song reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

On January 14, 2022, 21 Savage was featured on JID's "Surround Sound". On February 4, 2022, he was on King Von's song "Don't Play That". This song reached number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. On March 11, 2022, Savage was featured on Latto's "Wheelie". In June 2022, he appeared on Pharrell Williams' "Cash In Cash Out" with Tyler, the Creator. A week later, on June 17, 2022, 21 Savage was on "Jimmy Cooks" from Drake's album Honestly, Nevermind. This song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. On October 22, 2022, Drake and 21 Savage released the music video for "Jimmy Cooks". They also announced their joint album, Her Loss, which came out on November 4, 2022. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. All sixteen songs from the album appeared on the Billboard Hot 100.

On December 2, 2022, 21 Savage appeared on four songs from Metro Boomin's album, Heroes & Villains. These included "Umbrella" and "Creepin'" with The Weeknd. "Creepin'" was released as a single and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2023, Savage was featured on many songs. These included "Peaches & Eggplants" by Young Nudy, "06 Gucci" by Gucci Mane, and "War Bout It" by Lil Durk. He was also on two songs from Metro Boomin's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack. He appeared on the remix of Burna Boy's "Sittin' on Top of the World". This remix was nominated for a Grammy Award. He was also on songs from Young Thug's album Business Is Business and Travis Scott's album Utopia. Later in 2023, he was featured on "Turks & Caicos" by Rod Wave and "Another One of Me" with Diddy and The Weeknd. He also appeared on Drake's "Calling for You".

On January 8, 2024, 21 Savage announced a movie called American Dream: The 21 Savage Story. He later said on a podcast that the "trailer" was a joke. On January 10, 2024, Savage announced his third studio album American Dream. It was released on January 12, 2024. The album featured artists like Travis Scott, Young Thug, Doja Cat, and Burna Boy. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The songs "Redrum" and "N.H.I.E." reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. Burna Boy performed "Sittin' On Top of the World" at the Grammy Awards with 21 Savage.

Musical Style

21 Savage is known for his unique "villainous monotone drawl" voice. His music style is influenced by the group Three 6 Mafia.

Giving Back to the Community

In early August of 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, 21 Savage hosted the "Issa Back to School Drive". This event was named after his album Issa Album. It took place in his old neighborhood in Atlanta. The drive offered free haircuts, hairstyles, school supplies, and school uniforms to kids.

In March 2018, 21 Savage started the 21 Savage Bank Account Campaign. This was named after his popular song "Bank Account". He announced it on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He also donated $21,000 to the cause. He said the campaign helps kids learn to save and earn money. It also helps them open bank accounts. Four months later, he gave $10,000 to Continental Colony Elementary School in Atlanta. This money was for an anti-bullying program.

On July 1, 2020, 21 Savage launched a free online program. It teaches kids and teenagers about financial literacy. This was especially helpful for those stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said it's important to give the next generation tools to succeed. The program works with Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. They provide free tablets and WiFi to students who need them in Atlanta.

Personal Life

21 Savage and his mother follow the traditional West African religion Ifá. In June 2017, he started dating model Amber Rose. They separated in May 2018. In October 2017, he began taking flying lessons to learn how to fly a Cirrus SR20 aircraft.

In 2018, a song from 21 Savage's album I Am > I Was caused some discussion. The lyrics included a line about "Jewish money." This line was criticized for possibly promoting negative stereotypes. LeBron James shared the lyric on Instagram, which brought more attention to it. 21 Savage later apologized on Twitter. He said he meant that Jewish people he knew were smart with money. He added that he never meant to offend anyone and loves all people.

Discography

Studio Albums

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

Collaborative Albums

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

Film and Video Games

21 Savage has also worked on a YouTube animated mini-series called Year 2100.

Video Games

Tours

Headlining Tours

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

Co-headlining Tours

• The Off-Season Tour (2021) (with J. Cole)
• It's All a Blur Tour (2023) (with Drake)

Opening Act Tours

• HiHorse'd Tour (2016) (with Young Thug)
• Beerbongs & Bentleys Tour (2018) (with Post Malone)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: 21 Savage para niños

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