21 Savage is a chart-topping rapper known for his ability to flip murderous street lyrics into enjoyable club bangers. The artist, who was born in London before immigrating to Atlanta, Georgia in his youth, has amassed millions of fans in the brief time since he came on the scene, and has been listed among the world’s highest-paid rappers at numerous points in his career. Today, 21 Savage holds an estimated $16 million in net worth according to Celebrity Net Worth.
While these figures are quite impressive, Savage has made it clear that he still has plenty of room to grow as an exciting young artist. While most of this money comes from music streams and sold-out shows, Savage has also invested into a wide array of other financial endeavors, such as real estate and merch deals. Let’s take a moment to examine 21 Savage’s net worth, and dissect the many factors which contribute to his growing wealth.
Early Life & Career Beginnings
Long before he became the “redrum” vocalist that we all know and love, 21 Savage was born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, to a pair of British national parents. Savage’s parents split up when he was 7 years old, prompting his mother to immigrate with him to the United States. While the rapper is technically an immigrant to the country, 21 Savage’s life and identity was indisputably formed by his time growing up in Atlanta, as evidenced by his quintessential musical roots.
21 Savage encountered a number of legal troubles in his youth, including charges of gun possession, robbery, car theft, and more. After being banned from every school in his district and sent to juvenile detention, Savage took to the streets as a full-time drug dealer, engaging in a wide array of gang activity. By the time he turned 21, Savage had lost numerous friends and family members to shootings and gang violence, and even suffered six bullet wounds on his 21st birthday, in a shootout with a rival gang.
While speaking with Seth Rogen for Interview Magazine, Savage explained that the shooting marked a turning point in his life, stating “When I got shot there wasn’t really nothing else for me to do, because I couldn’t really move around the way I wanted to. So I was either in the house or in the studio… My best friend who died, his uncle had a whole lot of dope money, so he started buying me studio sets and s***.” Despite the hardships he suffered while recovering from the shooting, 21 Savage claims that the incident saved his life, stating “if I didn’t get shot I’d be dead or in jail.”
Music Career
21 Savage released his first track “I Can’t Get Enough” in 2013. While the song obviously sounds quite different than his modern sound, the building blocks of his biggest hits are definitely present, proving that Savage was a gifted songwriter right out of the gate. The track and accompanying music video are still available to view on YouTube today. 21 Savage’s first long-form release came in the form of a 2015 mixtape titled “The Slaughter Tape.” The project made Savage a known force in the Atlanta underground, eventually leading him to collaborate with the likes of Sonny Digital, Metro Boomin, and The Migos’ Offset.
The Atlanta MC began picking up major steam in 2016, joining acts such as Lil Yachty, Denzel Curry, Lil Uzi, and Anderson .Paak on the 2016 XXL Freshman cover. In 2017, 21 Savage released his debut LP, “Issa Album,” after signing to Epic Records. The project debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 charts, and catapulted the rising star to household name status among young hip hop heads. To date, 21 Savage has released 3 solo studio albums, as well as 3 full-length collaborative efforts with the likes of Offset, Metro Boomin, and Drake. His most recent album, 2024’s “American Dream” was his fourth consecutive project to top the Billboard charts upon release, signaling Savage’s growing influence and longevity in the hip hop landscape.
Salary & Streams
While 21 Savage has certainly brought in millions of dollars from music streams alone, his live performances likely contribute more to his overall net worth than his catalogue. A write-up in Capitalism.com indicates that the rapper brings in over $1.39 million per year from his music streams. 21 Savage is among a select few artists to own their own master recordings, meaning the rapper has full access to his back catalogue for streaming or investment purposes. Today, Savage has over 56 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, with plenty of die-hard fans willing to pay top-dollar to see him perform his hits live in concert.
According to TMZ, 21 Savage was paid a sum of $1 million to perform at a private Bar Mitzvah in 2017. In the years since, Savage has only continued to grow his profile, meaning his single-night charge has probably doubled or even tripled. 21 Savage has headlined multiple national and world tours since exploding onto the scene in the mid 2010s, and has even co-headlined alongside such acts as Drake and J. Cole. His current “American Dream” tour is still bringing in millions in ticket sales at the time of this writing, and expected to continue through the Summer of 2024.
Investments & Endorsement Deals
In addition to pulling in millions through music streaming and tours, 21 Savage has contributed to his net worth with a wide array of investments and brand deals. He has partnered with companies such as Adidas and Avion Tequila, appearing in promotional materials and shouting out the brands in his music. Savage was also an early investor in the NFT platform Sound.xyz, which allows artists to monetize their creations by interfacing with their fans directly.
Since 2018, 21 Savage has openly expressed that he no longer makes frivolous purchases such as expensive jewelry, claiming that he has been “getting way richer” by investing his money into stocks, land, and art. Savage credits this move to Jay-Z, who has been espousing the value of art investments since 2017.
Philanthropy
With all this money coming in, it’s no surprise that 21 Savage chooses to give so much back to his community. The Atlanta-based artist has repeated hosted an annual back to school drive, offering free haircuts, styles, and school supplies to children in need from the greater Atlanta area. Beyond that, Savage has launched philanthropic efforts such as the Bank Account Campaign, which opens bank accounts for underprivileged kids and teaches them financial literacy. Over the years, Savage has also donated massive sums toward anti-bullying campaigns, Atlanta’s school systems, and COVID-19 relief programs.
It is truly remarkable that 21 Savage was able to turn his life around through music. From his early days being kicked out of school and engaging in gun fights, to funding programs to ensure young people from his city understand investment strategies, 21 Savage is a true American success story, no matter where he was born.
