21 Savage's Mom Got Grammy Tickets in His Place — Following ICE Arrest — but Didn't Attend
Though Post Malone upset some fans by not mentioning 21 Savage at Sunday’s show, he did wear a shirt with the rapper’s stage name on it underneath his jacket during his performance
By Dana Rose Falcone
Post Malone took the stage at Sunday’s Grammys Awards to perform his hit song “Rockstar.”
Noticeably missing, however, was his collaborator 21 Savage, who wasarrested on Feb. 3 by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as authorities claimed 21 Savage, 26, is actually a citizen of the United Kingdom and had overstayed his visa.
He remains held without bond, and therefore wasn’t able to perform at the Grammys with Malone, 23, as planned.
In a previous statement, his attorney told PEOPLE his arrest was “based upon incorrect information about prior criminal charges.”
He slammed the rapper’s ongoing detention, arguing it “serves no other purpose than to unnecessarily punish him and try to intimidate him into giving up his right to fight to remain in the United States.”
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Though Malone upset some fans by not mentioning 21 Savage, born She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, while on stage with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he did wear a shirt with the rapper’s stage name on it underneath his jacket during the performance.
Earlier in the day, 21 Savage’s co-manager tweeted that the Grammys wouldn’t release his client’s tickets to his mom to go on his behalf amid his incarceration.
“We won’t be going to Grammys … the politics and s— is ridiculous …” Justin “Meezy” Williams wrote.
Following outcry online, Williams updated that the Recording Academy did, in fact, end up giving 21 Savage’s mother the tickets.
Be sure to check out PEOPLE’s full Grammys coverage to get the latest news on music’s biggest night.
“Plot twist: tickets were just released 5 minutes ago,” he tweeted hours later. “Shouts to social media for getting this issue resolved … see you again next time.”
PEOPLE learned that in the end, 21 Savage’s mom received two tickets to the show.
However, later Sunday, Williams tweeted again to say that “NOBODY from our camp” — including 21 Savage’s mom — “attended Grammys.”
“Please don’t false report … we were given tickets last minute before the show when it no longer mattered,” he added.
Plot twist: tickets were just released 5 minutes ago -___-
— Stone Mound Meezy (@MEGAMEEZY) February 10, 2019
Shouts to social media for getting this issue resolved … see you again next time
— Stone Mound Meezy (@MEGAMEEZY) February 10, 2019
Another member of 21 Savage’s management team shared his regret for the rapper missing the Grammys.
“My boi would’ve looks so amazing on that stage. I can’t help but cry rn,” Kei Henderson tweeted on Sunday. He later defended his “emotional moment,” writing, “Savage works hard. We work hard. He deserves better.”
My boi would’ve looks so amazing on that stage. I can’t help but cry rn 😔
— Kei (@keiopensdoors) February 11, 2019
I’m allowed to have an emotional moment. Savage works hard. We work hard. He deserves better.
— Kei (@keiopensdoors) February 11, 2019
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“Rockstar” was also nominated for record of the year and best rap/sung performance.
The 61st Annual Grammy Awards are broadcasting live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS.