21 Savagehas spoken out for the first time since being arrested by ICE a week and a half ago, in an interview withGood Morning America.
The Atlanta rapper says the arrest was “definitely targeted,” pointing out that a helicopter was on deck waiting to take him to a deportation center. “I was just driving and I just seen guns and blue lights, and then I was in the back of the car and I was gone. They didn’t say nothing. They just said, ‘We got Savage.’”
Despite not being born on U.S. soil, he says he grew up here and has been in the country since seven years old, back before he even knew what a visa was. He also feels it was unjust to be “arrested and put in a place where a murderer would be for just being in the country for too long.”
He doesn't discount the idea that authorities didn't like his lyrics critical ofTrump’s immigration policy during aTonight Showperformance. “My lawyers think that… I ain’t really know…I would see why people would think that.”
Given his recent experience, Savage has a personal stake in immigration reform. He vowed, “I feel your pain and I’ma do everything in my power to try and bring awareness to your pain.”
Earlier today, it was reported that a Georgia club promoter is going after the rapper for taking $17,000 in fees and not playing a show as promised.TMZreports 21 Savage turned himself in this (Friday) morning at the Liberty County Sheriff's Department, where he was booked for theft by deception. He was released on his own recognizance. It's also possible he will settle up with the club promoter out of court to avoid the whole ordeal.