The Grammy-nominated artist, whose real name is Sha Yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, came to the US from the UK on a visa when he was 12 in 2005 and never left, officials say
RAPPER 21 Savage will be released on bond today by US immigration after spending nine days behind bars.
The Grammy-nominated artist, whose real name is Sha Yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, came to the US from the UK on a visa when he was 12 and never left, officials say.
21 Savage, who previously dated model Amber Rose, was arrested on February 2 in Atlanta and faces deportation over claims he overstayed his visa by more than a decade.
Atlanta US Immigration Court Judge Dan Pelletier granted the 26-year-old bond during a hearing on Tuesday.
The bond amount was set at $100,000, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.
The rapper was granted an expedited hearing after speaking with ICE officials to clarify his legal standing and bond eligibility, his legal team said in a statement.
“In the last 24 hours, in the wake of the Grammy Awards at which he was scheduled to attend and perform, we received notice that She’yaa was granted an expedited hearing,” his lawyers said.
“Today, 21 Savage was granted a release on bond. He won his freedom.”
The rapper still faces deportation proceedings in federal immigration court, his attorney Charles H Kuck said.
"His case is not over by a long shot," he added.
“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.”
In a message to his fans, 21 Savage said that while he wasn’t present at the Grammy Awards, he was there in spirit.
“He is 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 added.
21 Savage was nominated for two Grammy Awards for the hit Rockstar with Post Malone, including the coveted record of the year category.
But he was unable to attend the glitzy awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday because he was being held in Georgia.
Abraham-Joseph was convicted on felony drug charges in Georgia in 2014, and was arrested as part of a targeted operation with the cooperation of local law enforcement, an ICE spokesman said.
The rapper has claimed that immigration officials are trying to “intimidate” him into leaving the US.
His lawyer denied the rapper had ever hid his immigration status or birthplace and slammed cops for detaining his client - claiming he is not a flight risk.
He accused immigration officials of trying to “unnecessarily punish him” claiming they are trying “to intimidate him into giving up his right to fight to remain in the United States”.
He said that 21 Savage actually applied for a U-Visa back in 2017 – on the basis of being a victim of crime - and the application is pending.
In 2013 he was shot during an incident in which his best friend was murdered.
Mr Kuck says the star was “severely affected physically and mentally” after the shooting and has applied to stay in the US.
The lawyer added that his client has US citizen children, whom he supports and is eligible for relief from deportation.
He insisted the arrest was based on “incorrect information about prior criminal charges".
Savage pled guilty to felony drug possession back in 2014, but that conviction was expunged last September, TMZ reported.
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