Celebrity

21 Savage’s English origins stun fans of the Atlanta rapper

Published

7 years ago

February 5, 2019

LOS ANGELES (AP) — It was a shock for fans when 21 Savage was taken into custody by U.S. immigration agents in Georgia. It was an even bigger shock to learn he had been an immigrant in the first place.

The Grammy-nominated rapper and his music are so deeply associated with Atlanta that the notion he was actually born in England and brought to the U.S. at age 12 felt downright bizarre.

Scores of surprised tweets came after his Sunday arrest. Memes bloomed that some called cruel under the circumstances, including one of him dressed as a Buckingham Palace guard, along with an old video of him talking in a mock English accent about tea and crumpets.

“It seems so outlandish that the prototypical Atlanta rapper is not from Atlanta,” said Samuel Hines, a writer and editor at GQ who researched 21 Savage and spent a day with him for a profile in the magazine last year. “I think that’s why so many people were sort of making fun of him, and making memes.”

By all accounts, few knew his real birthplace, and it certainly wasn’t publicly known. His accent gave no indication, and his birth name, Sha Yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, could come from any number of birthplaces.

“I certainly heard no whispers challenging his accepted backstory,” Hine said.

Abraham-Joseph was detained in a targeted operation in the Atlanta area and put in deportation proceedings, U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement spokesman Bryan Cox said.

Abraham-Joseph’s attorneys said U.S. immigration officials have known his status at least since 2017, when he applied for a new visa. That application is pending, and his attorneys say he should not be detained.

Both sides agree that Abraham-Joseph came to the U.S. as a child in 2005, and he stayed in after his visa expired in 2006.

“He, like almost two million other children, was left without legal status through no fault of his own,” Kuck Baxter Immigration, the law firm representing Abraham-Joseph, said in a statement Monday, adding that he now has U.S. Citizen children of his own.

Abraham-Joseph then spent his teenage years in Atlanta, and his image and later his music became defined by the city’s distinctive hip-hop culture. Even the “21” in his name is a reference to the block where he lived there.

“Him growing up in Atlanta is a pretty fundamental part of his story,” Hine said. “His identity is so rooted in his Atlanta sound, his Atlanta crew.”

Abraham-Joseph was truthful when he rapped about his youthful exploits in Atlanta, including run-ins with the law over guns and drugs, Hine said. He just left out the stuff that came before that.

A pair of mixtapes in 2015 made his star rise quickly in the Atlanta underground. Collaborations with Atlanta artists including Metro Boomin and Offset of rap group Migos raised his profile.

He signed with Epic Records and made a pair of high-charting solo albums.

He collaborated with Drake, Cardi B, and Post Malone, whose song with 21 Savage, “Rockstar,” is nominated for two Grammys at Sunday’s awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

For many who love 21 Savage, surprise about his arrest quickly gave way to outrage.

Offset tweeted that he was “PRAYING FOR MY DAWG. ALL THE MEMES … AINT FUNNY HIS FAMILY DEPENDING ON HIM.”

Rapper Vince Staples joined many others in tweeting, “Free 21!”

Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors established an online petition to stop his deportation that was fast gaining signatories.

Singer Demi Lovato felt some of the anger when she tweeted Sunday that “21 savage memes have been my favorite part of the Super Bowl.” She later clarified that she wasn’t laughing “at anyone getting deported,” but subsequently deleted her Twitter account.

While it’s not clear if it had anything to do with his own status, Abraham-Joseph did just recently address the subject of immigration and detention. Last week on the “Tonight Show,” he added a verse to his song “A Lot: that include the line, “been through some things, but I couldn’t imagine my kids stuck at the border.”

Celebrity

Ananda Lewis: A Legacy of Empowerment and Advocacy

Published

10 months ago

June 12, 2025

Kareen Kennedy

Source: People.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) –Ananda Lewis, the charismatic MTV VJ and talk show host, passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 52, after a courageous battle with stage 4 breast cancer. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, confirmed the news, sharing that Ananda passed away peacefully in her Los Angeles home.

Born on March 21, 1973, in San Diego, California, Lewis rose to prominence in the late 1990s as a VJ on MTV, hosting shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone. Her engaging personality and insightful interviews made her a beloved figure among viewers, and she earned accolades such as an NAACP Image Award for her work on BET’s Teen Summit.

Beyond her television career, Lewis was a passionate advocate for social issues. She launched The Ananda Lewis Show in 2001, addressing topics like domestic violence and breast cancer, aiming to provide a platform for meaningful conversations. Her commitment to authenticity and social impact resonated with many, and she continued to use her platform to inspire and educate.

In 2020, Lewis publicly disclosed her diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer and later revealed that it had progressed to stage 4. Despite medical advice recommending a double mastectomy, she chose alternative treatments, later expressing some regret about that decision. Throughout her illness, Lewis remained vocal about cancer awareness, encouraging women to prioritize their health and live authentically.

Ananda Lewis leaves behind a legacy of empowerment, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to her values. Her influence extended beyond the entertainment industry, inspiring countless individuals to embrace authenticity and advocate for positive change.

Her passing marks the loss of a significant figure in entertainment who also became a voice for health advocacy. Her legacy includes a strong commitment to authenticity and social impact, and her estimated financial worth was around $8 million.

Ananda Lewis’s impact on television and her dedication to social causes have left an indelible mark on the industry and the hearts of many.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

Celebrity

Val Kilmer, Iconic ‘Top Gun’ Star, Dies at 65

Published

1 year ago

April 3, 2025

Kareen Kennedy

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) –Val Kilmer, one of Hollywood’s most memorable actors, has passed away at the age of 65. Known for his dynamic range and unmistakable voice, Kilmer captivated audiences with his standout performances in a career that spanned over four decades.

A Career Full of Iconic Roles

Kilmer’s breakout role came in the 1980s with Top Gun (1986), where he portrayed the cocky and charming fighter pilot, Iceman. The film catapulted him into stardom alongside Tom Cruise, and it remains one of the most iconic films in Hollywood history. Kilmer’s portrayal of Iceman left an indelible mark on pop culture, with his line “I am dangerous” becoming an enduring catchphrase.

Beyond Top Gun, Kilmer’s career featured a diverse range of roles, from playing the suave rock star in The Doors (1991) to the legendary Batman in Batman Forever (1995). He brought depth to each of his characters, making them memorable even in smaller roles, such as his comedic turn in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005). His performances were often praised for their intensity, wit, and ability to disappear into his roles.

A Life Beyond the Screen

Kilmer’s life was marked by both triumph and personal struggles. Despite his fame, he was known for his private nature and his journey battling throat cancer. In recent years, Kilmer’s health struggles became widely known, as he had to undergo a series of surgeries that left him with a diminished ability to speak. However, he continued to embrace his craft and the fans who loved him, most recently appearing in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), a sequel to the film that first made him a star.

The documentary Val (2021) offered fans a rare, candid look into his life, showcasing not only his successes but also his personal battles and the deep affection he had for his craft. Through this film, Kilmer shared never-before-seen footage from his personal archive, allowing fans to see the man behind the roles.

A Legacy That Will Live On

Kilmer’s death marks the end of an era for Hollywood. He leaves behind a legacy of timeless performances that will continue to resonate with generations of fans. From the depths of his dramatic portrayals to the highs of his action-packed roles, Val Kilmer’s impact on cinema is undeniable. His unforgettable presence and voice, once a hallmark of his performances, will be greatly missed by fans and colleagues alike.

Val Kilmer is survived by his children and countless fans who cherished him throughout his illustrious career. His contributions to film will continue to inspire new audiences for years to come, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the ability of one man to shape the very fabric of cinema.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

Celebrity

LPGA Pros Shutout Celebs at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions “Break The Glass” Challenge

Published

1 year ago

January 28, 2025

Mike Brodsky

Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – Some big names in sports, entertainment, and music can be found with golf clubs in hand at The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, this weekend. About 50 celebrities will compete for a $500,000 purse, while LPGA Tour players try to grab their share of $2 million in prize money.

Today, LPGA pros Megan Khang, Alexa Pano, and Bailey Tardy took on celebrities Landon Donovan, Major League Soccer legend, Michael Peña, award-winning actor, and Kira Dixon, Reporter and Miss America 2015 in the annual “Break The Glass” challenge. The LPGA pros shutout the celebs 3-0. You can watch the action here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFYsQKbyiAi/?igsh=YzZlNG9rNXhvbnRy. (And be sure to follow Florida National News on Instagram and Facebook.)

Lydia Ko returns to defend her title, after adding an Olympic gold medal and membership in the LPGA Hall of Fame to her resume since last year’s tournament. Actors Don Cheadle and Larry The Cable Guy, NBA stars Blake Griffin and Ray Allen, and Pro Football Hall of Famers Marcus Allen and Charles Woodson are just some of the celebs hitting the links Thursday, 1/30 through Sunday, 2/2. Tickets and more information are available online at http://www.HGVLPGA.com.