21 Savage’s Past in the UK Doesn’t Delegitimize His Music

Just because part of 21 Savage’s childhood was in the United Kingdom, doesn’t mean that he didn’t live the lifestyle that he portrays in his music. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who arrested him, said that his public persona is “false.”

ICE says that 21 Savage immigrated to the US in July 2005 and his Visa expired a year later. That means when he first moved to America, he was about three months from becoming a teenager. In a DJ Vlad interview, 21 Savage said that he started getting involved “hands on” with the drug dealer/gang member lifestyle “about 13, 14”, which is consistent to his immigration timeline.  

Some people are now acting like his lyrics aren’t based on true experiences because of his UK background. When he moved to America at the age of 12, he didn’t have that many life experiences just like every other kid that age. Your teenage years is when you start growing up and deal with experiences that can shape as a person. Since your parents are watching your every move before you become a teen, your teen years are truly the beginning of your life and that’s what 21 Savage’s music is about: when his life began.