The Dark Past of the Gloomy 21 Savage
21 Savage, born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph in London, did not reveal his UK citizenship until he was arrested by ICE in 2019. While not strictly an English rapper, if he were, he would be the most successful British rapper in history. (When 21 Savage was born, “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men was the number one song in the US, while in the UK, it was “Sleeping Satellite” by Tasmin Archer.) Both of Savage’s parents were Caribbean immigrants — his mother from Dominica and his father from Saint Vincent and Grenadines. After his parents’ separation, Savage moved to Atlanta with his mother at the age of 7.
Early Life and Challenges
Savage grew up in challenging circumstances, arrested for gun possession in 7th grade, and dropping out of school by 9th grade. As a child, he sold marijuana and stole cars, losing many friends and family members to street violence. On his 21st birthday, he was shot six times, and his best friend was killed.
The Start of His Rap Career
In 2013, he began rapping, immediately impressing the underground scene in Atlanta. 21 Savage rapped about his criminal lifestyle with a whispering voice, portraying himself as a bloodthirsty ghost and embracing the persona of a villain in a horror movie. He didn’t focus on melodies or complex patterns, even avoiding pitch. Instead, he simply and directly expressed that he would be happy to kill his enemies. This style soon gained popularity beyond Atlanta, and his 2016 song “Red Opps” reached #72 on the Hot 100.
Rapid Rise to Fame
21 Savage’s rise to fame was rapid and disorienting. Even his name started trending, with a rapper named 22 Savage emerging, claiming to be “tougher” than 21 Savage. Other Savage variations appeared, such as 23 Savage, 24 Savage, and up to 30 Savage, but none lasted long.
XXL Freshman Class and Breakthrough
21 Savage became a part of XXL’s Freshman Class, joining peers like Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, and Lil Yachty. By the end of 2016, Savage and Metro Boomin, another Number Ones artist, released the collaborative EP Savage Mode, a truly remarkable street rap project. The song “X” featured Future, another Number Ones artist, and it reached #36 on the charts.
Savage’s Unique Style
Savage’s style was almost darkly comical. In one famous interview, when asked about his cross tattoo on his forehead, Savage mumbled, “Issa knife.” His style might have seemed too restricted and grim to surpass, but nonetheless, his fame and reputation grew steadily.
The Breakout Album: Issa
In the summer of 2017, Savage released his full debut album, Issa, which reached #12 on the charts, with his single “Bank Account” becoming a major hit. When he appeared in “Rockstar”, Savage was already midway through his rookie year.
