Since 21 Savage was arrested on Sunday, Feb. 3, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a lot of rappers have shown their support on social media, people like Offset, Cardi B and J. Cole.
But Jay-Z did a little more for the incarcerated rapper by hiring attorney Alex Spiro to help with his legal troubles. The Brooklyn rap legend also put out a statement and called the arrest ludicrous, since Savage was locked up for overstaying his visa despite his reportedly applying years ago for a U visa, a type awarded to victims of crimes. Savage’s attorneys say the rapper is not supposed to be detained while his application is pending.
“The arrest and detention of 21 Savage is an absolute travesty,” Jay wrote Wednesday, Feb. 6, on Facebook. “His U Visa petition has been pending for 4 years. In addition to being a successful recording artist, 21 deserves to be reunited with his children immediately. #Free21Savage.”
On top of that, according to Variety, if Savage isn’t freed by this year’s Grammy Awards on Feb. 10, there will be an immigration tribute done in his honor during the broadcast. The 26-year-old is up for two awards that night, Record of the Year and Best Rap/Sung Performance, for his cut “Rockstar” with Post Malone.
Spiro also addressed Savage’s case and echoed Jay-Z’s words.
“We are not going to stop until he is released, bonded out or in front of a judge,” said the lawyer. “What we have here is someone who overstayed their Visa with an application pending for 4 years, not a convicted criminal that needs to be detained and removed, but by all accounts a wonderful person, father and entertainer who has a marijuana offense which was vacated and sealed.”
Plus, Savage’s team believes he was arrested because the rapper criticized the immigration laws while performing his new J.Cole assisted-song “A Lot” on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Savage performed the cut just five days before the arrest.
“Been through some things so I can’t imagine my kids stuck at the border / Flint still need water / People was innocent, couldn’t get lawyers,” he rapped during the performance.
