Despite enduring arguably some of the toughest weeks of his career, rapper 21 Savage is keeping his spirits high and laughing at the internet's savagery despite having been the subject of it.
On February 3, Savage, whose legal name is She'yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, after ICE officials claimed he overstayed his visa, issued from the United Kingdom where the rapper was born.
Hours after news of Savage's detainment broke, the internet couldn't help but find amusement in his misery. Like clockwork, memes surfaced online, poking fun at the "X" rapper's alleged British accent and giving his stage name a formal title.
He no longer 21 Savage .. That’s Sir Savage the 21st ????????????????????????
— mary-go-round ???????? (@trustmeimmary) February 3, 2019
people are too fast lnfaooooooooo what is this pic.twitter.com/gBNZY1fodF
— ife the child of God (@NEELRXH) February 3, 2019
21 Savage eating a crumpet in the studio while no ones looking pic.twitter.com/EkPxxYb36D
— Elliott ⁶???? (@Significxnts) February 3, 2019
Now that the "Bank Account" rapper has been released from ICE custody and has given his first interview following the ambush, 21 is finally addressing those now-viral memes that had sides splitting from laughter.
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"Some of them was funny — I ain't gonna lie. I was appreciative of that," Savage said in an interview with The New York Times. "I coulda been another person who just, 'He locked up? Damn,' and nobody said nothing. Some people, I see why they was mad. It ain't about the meme, it's about the bigger picture. But I done been through way worse things in my life than somebody putting me on a meme."
Fans interpreted his reaction as a jab toward fellow rapper Wale, who criticized singer Demi Lovato for tweeting about the memes being her favorite part of the Super Bowl. Wale tweeted a response to a prying Lovato fan on Wednesday and informed them he "never insulted or talked down to her," so an apology on his behalf is unnecessary.
Na. I never insulted or talked down to her… ur entitlement is showing and it’s crazy .
— Wale (@Wale) February 18, 2019
Even after fans of the "Neon Lights" singer called him a coward for refusing to admit fault, Wale doubled down on his stance.
Y’all wasting time . Ain’t nobody disrespect her. I said what I said with the level of respect I didn’t receive . This entitlement gotta stop . https://t.co/6pyx7mY3Gk
— Wale (@Wale) February 18, 2019
Now, check these out:
Demi Lovato Checks Into Rehab Following Following Backlash Over 21 Savage Memes
21 Savage Is More Than An Unfunny Meme: Why Black Immigrants Are Disproportionately Targeted By ICE
