21 Savage

October 22, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, professionally known as 21 Savage, was born in London on October 22, 1992. He started getting into trouble with the law as early as the seventh grade when he was banned from school due to gun possession. He eventually went to a juvenile detention center before dropping out of high school to join a local street gang and became a full-time drug dealer. In 2013 — on his 21st birthday, he was shot six times by members of a rival who also killed his best friend. This marked a turning point for 21 Savage as he decided to start rapping. He is now a Grammy Award winner.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph

Nickname:

21 Savage, The Slaughter King

Birth date:

October 22, 1992

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Libra

Height:

6' 0"

Relationship Status:

Single

Net Worth:

$12 million

Background

21 Savage is loved by millions worldwide who vibe and listen to his music. Born in London on October 22, 1992, he relocated to the U.S. with his mother after his parents — Heather Joseph and Kevin Emmons, British nationals with Caribbean origins — separated.

21 Savage has had quite an eventful life, but he is a phenomenal rapper who has risen to worldwide stardom. In 2014, he released his first single, Picky, produced by DJ Plug, and in 2015, he released a collaborative EP, Free Guwop. In 2016, he was named by the popular hip-hop magazine XXL under Freshman Class. That same year, he released an E.P., Savage Mode. It was an international success and peaked at number 23 on Billboard 200. 21 Savage released his first album, Issa Album, in 2017, which peaked at number two on Billboard 200. One of their singles, Bank Account, reached number 12 on Billboard Hot 100. 21 Savage appeared on Ty Dolla $ign’s Clout. His second album, I Am > I, was released on December 21, 2018, and features collaborations with stars like Travis Scott, J. Cole, Yung Miami, Offset, Lil Baby, Childish Gambo, Post Malone, and others. In 2018, he created the 21 Savage Bank Account Campaign to help kids learn how to save and make money. He donated $21,000 to the cause and another $10,000 to fund an anti-bullying campaign at Continental Colony Elementary School in Atlanta. He was nominated for and won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song, A Lot, which featured J. Cole. His album, I Am > I, was nominated for Best Rap Album but did not win.

21 Savage is under Epic Record, associated with Sony Music Entertainment. He has two sons and one daughter named Kamari, Ashaad, and Rhian. He was convicted of felony drug charges in 2014, and in 2018, he started a movement called Guns Down, Paintballs Up, which was linked to several property crimes and homicides. He was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2019, who claimed 21 Savage was a British National living unlawfully in the U.S. after his visa expired in 2006. He and his mother are religious followers of the Yoruba religion in Nigeria called Ifa. 21 Savage has faced many legal and controversial issues in his lifetime, but he remains a stellar artist!

Career timeline

2014

The First Single

21 Savage releases his first single, ‘Picky.’

2017

The Epic Records Deal

21 Savage signs a recording contract with Epic Records, which Sony Music Entertainment owns.

2019

The Arrest by Immigration

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehend 21 Savage for having an expired visa since 2007.

2020

The Grammy Award Win

21 Savage wins a Grammy Award in the category of Best Rap Song, ‘A Lot,’ which features J. Cole.

2023

"I'm Coming Home!"

He is set to perform his first UK show, in London's O2 Arena.

Why We Love 21 Savage

He is an award-winning rapper
21 Savage has been nominated for many awards and won quite a number of them, including a Grammy Award, Billboard Music Award, and MTV Video Music Award. We love how celebrated he is!
He loves his community
21 Savage has involved himself in philanthropic activities like hosting the Issa Back to School Drive in his neighborhood in Atlanta, where free hairstyles and school uniforms were given. He has also donated $10,000 to fund an anti-bullying campaign at Continental Colony Elementary School in Atlanta. He even started a paintball campaign that, while controversial, has helped reduce gang-related deaths.
He is on Forbes 30 under 30
21 Savage made it on the cover and list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 in 2019. We celebrate his success despite all odds stacked against him.

5 Surprising Facts

Drake bought him a Ferrari
On his 24th birthday, Drake surprised fans and Savage when he bought him a Ferrari.
21 Savage is British
He is not American but British by birth and nationality.
Gucci Mane inspires him
21 Savage looks up to Gucci Mane for opening up the door for rappers from the streets like him.
21 means something
He got 21 from his gang, the 2100 Street Gang, while Savage comes from how he perceives himself.
He got shot six times
On his 21st birthday, he and his best friend were shot by a rival street gang — he survived, but his best friend did not.