21 Savage Biography

Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, known professionally as 21 Savage, is an American-British rapper born on October 22, 1992. Although born in London, he was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where he faced significant challenges during his childhood. By middle school, he had encountered legal issues, including charges of gun possession, and was expelled from multiple schools, leading to a stint in a detention center as a teenager.

In his early twenties, 21 Savage discovered his passion for rap music, adopting his stage name as he set out to establish a career in entertainment. He released his debut single, "Picky," in 2014, produced by his mentor DJ Plugg. His first mixtape, The Slaughter Tape, followed shortly after in May 2015. This was succeeded by another mixtape, Slaughter King, and his debut EP, Free Guwop, both released in the same year.

21 Savage achieved widespread recognition with his collaborative EP, Savage Mode, produced with Metro Boomin, which was released in 2016. The project marked a turning point in his career, reaching number 23 on the Billboard 200 and yielding successful singles like "X" featuring Future and "No Heart," both of which ranked within the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. This collaboration further solidified his reputation within the hip-hop community.

Following the success of Savage Mode, 21 Savage signed a contract with Epic Records in January 2017 and released his debut studio album, Issa Album, later that year. This album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200, driven by the lead single "Bank Account," which reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the same year, he also appeared on Post Malone's hit "Rockstar," which topped the chart and received two Grammy nominations, enhancing his visibility in the industry.

His next project, I Am > I Was, released in 2018, became his first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 and included the single "A Lot," featuring J. Cole, which won Best Rap Song at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. 21 Savage continued to collaborate with Metro Boomin, releasing Savage Mode II in 2020, which also debuted at number one and featured the successful singles "Runnin" and "Mr. Right Now."

In 2022, he collaborated with Drake on the album Her Loss, further cementing his status as a leading figure in hip-hop. Recently, 21 Savage announced his third studio album, American Dream, set to release on January 12, 2024. Upon its release, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, marking his sixth top ten entry and fourth consecutive number-one album. It features collaborations with various artists, including Travis Scott and Doja Cat, and continues to highlight 21 Savage's evolution as a prominent and influential artist in the music industry. Additionally, he teased a biopic titled American Dream: The 21 Savage Story that raised interest, though later confirmed to be a parody.