After years of immigration issues that resulted in his 2019 detention by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), 21 Savage has been declared a legal U.S. citizen and has finally announced his first headlining show in the country of his birth, the United Kingdom. Savage is set to perform at the O2 in London on November 30 with special guests Baby Drill and 21 Lil Harold.
Born in the U.K. but raised from early childhood in Atlanta, Savage (real name: She’yaa Bin Abraham-Josep) has been unable to travel outside of the States for some time. In February 2019, he was arrested and detained by ICE, which claimed that he was “unlawfully present” in the U.S. over a visa that expired in 2006.
His lawyer, Charles Kuck, gave a statement that explained that his case had been closed. “She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph followed all applicable Immigration laws since his initial detention by ICE,” he said. “His immigration court proceedings have now been terminated and he is a lawful permanent resident of the United States with the freedom to travel internationally.”
Savage commemorated getting a green card by performing with Drake at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena as part of their collaborative “It’s All a Blur Tour.” He was denied entry to Canada at first, but was ultimately allowed across the border to join Drake on stage. Drake referenced the milestone on “8am in Charlotte,” a track off his new album “For All the Dogs.” “Savage got a green card straight out of the consulate,” he raps. “Where I Go, you go, brother, we Yugoslavian.”
Drake also seemed to suggest that he will be joining Savage at the London show. In an Instagram post on Friday, 21 teased his return to the U.K., writing, “London… I’m comin home.” Drake slid into the comments, writing “We’re.”
