21 Savage Chooses Toronto for Triumphant First International Performance With Drake
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“To who it may concern, Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, known officially as 21 Savage, is now cleared to travel up north and perform for his beloved fans,” a man, declaring he was there on behalf of “his majesty, Charles III,” announced on stage during Drake’s show in Toronto Saturday night.
“He has chosen Toronto as his first destination. Ladies and gentleman —,” he continued, before getting cut off by the rapper.
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“No, no. Let me do it. Ladies and gentlemen, performing for the first time outside of America in his life. Make some noise for the brother, 21!,” Drake yelled into that mic as Scotiabank Arena erupted in cheers and 21 Savage walked through the crowd.
Draped in the Canadian flag, 21 Savage took to the stage, marking his first international performance outside of the United States. To celebrate his triumphant return, Drake enlisted the help of the crowd to sing “O Canada!”
21 Savage’s four-year immigration saga came to a happy conclusion as the rapper revealed Friday that he is now a “lawful permanent resident” of the U.S. and, with his status no longer in question, he is allowed to visit his birth nation of England.
In an Instagram post shared on Saturday, soundtracked by Skylar Grey’s “Coming Home,” 21 Savage declared “London, I’m comin home,” hinting at his first-ever concert in the U.K. (In the comments, Drake — who enlisted 21 Savage for the U.S. leg of the It’s All a Blur tour, corrected him, saying “We’re,” suggesting his Her Loss partner will also be involved.)
Back in February 2019, 21 Savage was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Atlanta, with the agency revealing that the rapper is actually from the United Kingdom and overstayed his visa after coming to America as a teenager.
Following a weeklong detainment in an ICE detention center, 21 Savage was released and allowed to remain in America while his immigration was sorted out. The artist was allowed to tour the U.S. — including as special guest on Drake’s trek — but was unable to perform outside America, including the Canadian leg of the It’s All a Blur tour.
While 21 Savage was expected to to be at Drake’s side during his Friday concert, he was denied entry into Canada, although it’s not clear why — leading to Lil Baby filling in for the first Toronto stop.
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