21 Savage was arrested early Sunday morning. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the rapper, whose real name is Sha Yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, is reportedly from the United Kingdom and overstayed his visa.
21 Savage has a remarkable history in Atlanta. Here are some notable facts about the rapper’s music, love life and charitable work.
Musical achievements
Last December, 21 Savage's album "I Am > I Was" album was No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It includes guest appearances from Offset of Migos, Travis Scott, Childish Gambino and Post Malone.
His debut solo album, “Issa Album,” hit No. 1 in July 2017. His collaboration with Offset and Metro Boomin’, “Without Warning,” made it to No. 4 on the Billboard 200 November 2017.
His collaboration with Post Malone, “Rockstar,” won song of the year at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Charity work
Last August, 21 Savage hosted his third annual "Issa Back 2 School Drive" and gave free school supplies to more than 2,500 people.
“I might rap about a lot of stuff, but that’s just a reflection of what I’ve been through,” he told The AJC. “In real life, everything I do, I want to bring everybody together. I want to give back to the community, help the kids, get them uniforms, books, book bags, everything they need…just do better. That’s where it starts, the kids.”
21 Savage launched a “Bank Account” campaign during an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to help young adults learn fiscal responsibility.
He also does low-key charitable work, such as paying for the funeral of T'Rhigi Diggs, a 3-year-old who was killed in an April 2018 shooting.
The AJC's music writer, Melissa Ruggieri, wrote a thorough profile of 21 Savage's charity work.
Amber Rose
21 Savage dated Amber Rose for almost two years before the two broke up. They have both said positive things about each other since their breakup last year.
In a radio appearance, Rose said it can be difficult to be in a relationship when both parties are famous.
“To be in a relationship, in general, is very difficult and to be famous and in a relationship is even more difficult because you have teams and people,” Rose shared on “Big Boy’s Neighborhood.” “Then you wind up and arguing about things that you wouldn’t usually argue about as a normal person, but I love him.”
When 21 Savage was on "Breakfast Club," he said he and Rose were "cool."
“Amber my dawg,” he said. “She the coolest person ever.”
Turning to music
21 Savage has rapped about his criminal past extensively. His arrests for gun-related legal skirmishes since dropping out of high school in ninth grade have been the topic of his lyrics and interviews.
On his 21st birthday, in 2013, he was shot six times and his best friend was killed. That event actually inspired his rap name− 21.
“I couldn’t move much,” he said. “I had a cast on, my hip was hurt.”
During this time he bought studio equipment to use in the house. Music became his redeemer.
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