Grammy-nominated rapper 21 Savage in ICE custody as a British citizen (2024)

Rapper 21 Savage was born in Britain to British parents before being taken to Atlanta by his mother as immigration officials accused him of living a 'false' life in the US, MailOnline can reveal today.

The musician, 26, was held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and is in federal immigration custody in Georgia and could be deported back to the UK.

Until last night fans believed that he was born and raised in Atlanta - because he has a thick Georgian accent and thecity and his tough upbringing there is the inspiration for his music.

Today it emerged he was only held as an illegal immigrant when Atlanta Police arrested his friend and fellow rapper Young Nudy, 21, after stopping the car they were travelling in together on Sunday night.

Officers held Nudy but also ran 21 Savage's date of birth through their system and he was then turned over to ICE who put him in custody pending an immigration hearing before a judge.

The authorities today accused him of lying about his past and MailOnline can confirm his birth certificate shows he was born on October 22, 1992 at Newham Hospital, in east London.

21 Savage, who is worth around $8million, was born Sheyaa bin Abraham to British-born parents Heather Joseph and Kevin Emmons.

It appears he moved to the US legally with his British-born mother in July 2005 at the age of 12 while his father Kevin, from Brixton, stayed in the UK and has two daughters.

Last night ICE spokesman Bryan Cox says the rapper overstayed his US visa, which expired a year later in July 2006.

According to CNN he said: 'His whole public persona is false. He actually came to the US from the UK as a teen and overstayed his visa'.

He added: 'In addition to being in violation of federal immigration law, Mr Abraham-Joseph was convicted on felony drug charges in October 2014 in Fulton County, Georgia'.

21 Savage, who previously dated model Amber Rose, was arrested Sunday morning in the Atlanta area.

Mr Cox said the hip hop star is currently in ICE custody in Georgia and 'has been placed into removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts.' An immigration judge will determine future actions.

He has made millions after a string of number one albums and famouslycollaborated on the hit Sneakin'with his friend Drake, who recently bought him a Ferrari to say thanks.

Abraham-Joseph took the name 21 Savage after getting shot six times on his 21st birthday and has had various run-ins with police before his arrest for immigration offences.

He last performed in Atlanta on Thursday January 31 at the Super Bowl Music Fest at the State Farm Arena alongside Ludacris.

The news will come as a shock to his fans, who considered the rapper an Atlanta local and born and brought up in DeKalb County, which covers the eastern suburbs of the city.

His birth was registered in the London borough of Newham in 1992.

Cox says Abraham-Joseph has been placed in deportation proceedings in federal immigration court and revealed Abraham-Joseph was convicted on felony drug charges in Georgia in October 2014.

'ICE will now await the outcome of his case before a federal immigration judge to determine future actions,' Cox said.

His attorney, Dina LaPolt, said she's working to get him out of custody.

LaPolt told TMZ: 'We are working diligently to get Mr. Abraham-Joseph out of detention while we work with authorities to clear up any misunderstanding.

'Mr. Abraham-Joseph is a role model to the young people in the country -- especially in Atlanta, Georgia and is actively working in the community leading programs to help underprivileged youths in financial literacy.'

21 Savage is one of 11 children born to his British-born mother Heather.

Despite his success as a rapper he had a troubled upbringing and aged 12 reportedly was expelled from school and banned from all others in his area after being caught with a gun.

He was moved to a school outside Atlanta and after getting into more trouble sent to a youth detention centre in Georgia.

After his time in custody he returned to mainstream education he then dropped out and said later he was 'exhausted' by being excluded all the time.

He then joined a small street gang linked the the LA-based Bloods crime family and allegedly involved in robbery, grand theft auto and drug dealing.

Aged 19 he lost his best friend and 'right hand' man Larry in a shootout.

On his 21st birthday he was shot six times himself in a failed assassination attempt and that's why he took the rap name 21 Savage.

Around the same time his brother Johnny was shot dead during an attempted robbery.

In 2017 he launched his debut album Issa and in 2018 his second I Am > I Was went to the top of the Billboard 200 charts, leading to his Grammy nominations.

As his profile increased he started a movement called 'Guns Down, Paintballs Up' aimed at reducing gun violence.

But the head of the Detroit Police Department, James Craig, said although 'well-intentioned' it was also 'misguided' and the movement was linked to several armed robberies and murders.

21 Savage, who had three children, has not responded to James Craig's assertion but reportedly paid for the funeral of T'Rhigi Diggs, three, who was killed in a drive-by last April.

Last June he was filmed at an Atlanta pool party brandishing a gun when a rival allegedly pulled a weapon.Abraham-Joseph later claimed he was holding it for a friend, according to TMZ.

Stars have shared their shock at 21 Savage's arrest and detainment while singer Demi Lovato has deleted her Twitter account after sharing a meme that poked fun at the suggestion that 21 Savage is British.

Lovato received backlash for the post - a picture of a person writing with a quill in candlelight with the words 'this how 21 Savage be writing his verses' - and she later wrote on Instagram that she 'wasn't laughing at anyone getting deported'.

'I know that's not a joke... not have I EVER laughed at that. The meme I posted/was talking about was of him being writing with a feather pen,' she said.

US rapper Killer Mike tweeted: 'My sincere hope is to see this young man who has made a way for himself allowed to stay and continue to prosper and grow his legacy.

'Sincere prayers for him and his family and team. @21savage Should be allowed to remain in this country.'

US rappers Lil Yachty and Meek Mill both tweeted similar messages calling for 21 Savage to be freed.

US social media personality Karen Civil tweeted: 'The 21Savage arrest is beyond sad, he has been doing such incredible things in the community and changing the stigma of people perceive rappers to think/be.'