Rapper 21 Savage is finally free!
He was released from US immigration custody on Wednesday, where he was being held for overstaying a visa over a decade ago, his attorney Charles Kuck said.
21 Savage, whos unfortunate real name is Sheyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, was released on bond and a photo was provided to CNN, by his attorneys, that showed the rapper and his mother boarding a private plane after his discharge.
He was arrested by ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) on February 3, which said he was born in the United Kingdom and was in the United States illegally.
His birth certificate proves that he was born in East London to British parents.
This deeply disputed arrest also showed the seriousness at stake for undocumented immigrants in America, “particularly in the Trump era,” shared CNN.
Allowing other artists throughout the country to come forward and address the problem at hand. Including Kendrick Lamar, DJ Khaled, America Ferrera, Common and SZA.
“No person in the world deserves to be treated like this,” DJ Khaled said in a video released by the website Mic.
“The time for change is now.”
The video also created a petition to #Free21Savage.
He was scheduled to perform at the Grammys on Sunday night with Post Malone during his “Rockstar” performance and he was also nominated in several categories.
Post was even wearing a shirt with the rapper’s stage name on it underneath his jacket during his performance with Red Hot Chili Peppers.
But the special moment came when songwriter of “This is America”, Ludwig Coransson, made sure to mention his friend in his own award speech.
“We want to thank all the rappers that are featured on the song. 21 Savage, who should be here tonight,” which gained large applause from the audience, including Post Malone.
His attorneys Kuck, Dina LaPolt and Alex Spiro, issued a statement Tuesday on behalf of the performer:
“21 Savage asked us to send a special message to his fans and supporters – he says that while he wasn’t present at the Grammy Awards, he was there in spirit and was grateful for the support from around the world.
“And is more than ever, ready to be with his loved ones and continue making music that brings people together,” the statement said.
“He will not forget this ordeal or any of the other fathers, sons, family members, and faceless people he was locked up with or that remain unjustly incarcerated across the country. And he asks for your hearts and minds to be with them.”
It is too common and tragic that so many individuals grow up in America believing they’re American, yet end up getting deported.
The rapper first came to the US in 2005 at 7-years-old.
But in 2006 his parents failed to renew his visa. Therefore, he has been living in the US illegally since then, according to immigration officials.
Kuck has said his client has a U-visa application pending with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to CNN and “has relief from removal available to him.”
This visa application was filed in 2017 and still has yet to be approved. He filed four years after he was reportedly shot six times during an incident in which a close friend of his died.
A U-visa is available to those who have been victims of a crime in the United States, have suffered physical or mental injury as a result of a crime and who are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in an investigation, according to ICE.
LaPolt said in a statement to CNN that “Mr. Abrham-Joseph is a role model to the young people in this country, especially in Atlanta, Georgia, and is actively working in the community leading programs to help underprivileged youths in financial literacy.”
After the rappers hit song “Bank Account” he announced a campaign last year that gave 21 teens $1,000 to start their own bank accounts and learn about financial literacy.
“It’s ironic because growing up in Atlanta, I knew almost nothing about bank accounts, 21 Savage said in a March news release.
“Now that I do have money in my bank account, I want to help kids with a background similar to mine to get smart about their money.”
CNN reports that this is not the only run-in Savage has had with the police.
Back in October 2014, Savage was convicted in Fulton County, Georgia, on counts of marijuana possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm or knife, delivery, distribution and/or possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
The rapper’s representatives said the “conviction was expunged.”
But like his latest album states, “I Am > I Was”.
Atlanta’s underground and elite hip-hop scene gained Savage around 2013 and since then he has conquered the music game.
We are all glad to have him back and maybe we will release a hit soon about his occurrence. Which will hopefully inform the world on the Immigration system and how it needs some major adjusting.
