21 Savage is a stage name of Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph born on October 22, 1992, in Plaistow, Newham, London. He moved to Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of seven. He was raised in a challenging environment. He faced significant struggles, including poverty and violence, which would later inform his music.
21 Savage’s early life was marked by trouble; he was expelled from middle school for gun possession and became involved with a local gang. His experiences with crime escalated, culminating in a traumatic incident on his 21st birthday when he was shot six times during a robbery attempt, while his close friend, Johnny, was killed.
Despite these challenges, 21 Savage found an outlet in music. He began his career in 2013, initially releasing a series of independent mixtapes. His debut project, The Slaughter Tape, released in May 2015, garnered regional acclaim and established him as an emerging voice in Atlanta’s hip-hop scene. He followed this with the Free Guwop EP, a tribute to his idol Gucci Mane, and Slaughter King in December 2015.
In July 2016, 21 Savage released Savage Mode, a collaborative EP with producer Metro Boomin, which marked a turning point in his career. The project peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200, propelled by hits like “X” featuring Future. This success caught the attention of major labels, and in January 2017, he signed with Epic Records.
His debut studio album, Issa Album (2017), reached number two on the Billboard 200, led by the single “Bank Account,” which peaked at number 12 on the Hot 100. That same year, he featured on Post Malone’s massive hit “Rockstar,” which topped the charts and received multiple Grammy nominations.
21 Savage’s second album, I Am > I Was (2018), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and featured the critically acclaimed single “A Lot” with J. Cole, winning a Grammy for Best Rap Song. In 2020, he and Metro Boomin released Savage Mode II, which also debuted at number one and included hits like “Runnin” and “Mr. Right Now” featuring Drake.
Amidst his rising fame, 21 Savage faced legal challenges. In February 2019, he was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), revealing his undocumented status as a British citizen who had overstayed a visa. After a turbulent legal battle, he became a lawful permanent resident in 2023.
21 Savage continued to build his discography with the release of Her Loss (2022), a collaborative album with Drake that topped the Billboard 200. His third solo album, American Dream, released in January 2024, further solidified his status in the industry, debuting at number one and featuring a range of high-profile collaborations.
Beyond music, 21 Savage is committed to philanthropy, focusing on financial literacy programs for youth. He has hosted back-to-school drives and launched initiatives aimed at empowering children in underserved communities.
With his unique style blending the raw narratives of street life and a commitment to social issues, 21 Savage remains a significant figure in contemporary hip-hop, continuing to evolve both as an artist and an advocate.
