The world of hip-hop has been rocked by an escalating drama surrounding rapper 21 Savage, whose romantic entanglements and legal battles have converged in a stunning twist that threatens his future in the United States. What began as whispers of a secret relationship with fellow artist Latto has now exploded into a full-blown crisis, with allegations of immigration fraud brought forth by his estranged wife, Kiana Joseph. This complex narrative, weaving through legal challenges, public declarations of love, and a bitter feud, paints a picture of betrayal and high-stakes consequences.

For years, 21 Savage, whose real name is She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, proudly represented Atlanta, dominating its rap scene with an authenticity that made his British origins almost unthinkable to many fans. However, in February 2019, the truth emerged when he was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His visa had expired a year prior, and ICE revealed he was part of a targeted operation, making them aware of his undocumented status. The revelation sent shockwaves through his fanbase, who had firmly believed him to be an Atlanta native. Despite facing the looming threat of deportation, 21 Savage was eventually released on bond, continuing to make music and collaborate with other artists.

It was during this period of legal uncertainty that his relationship with Latto reportedly began to blossom. Their initial collaboration on “Pull Up” was a hit with fans, leading to further joint projects. While the internet began “shipping” them, both artists maintained a fierce privacy regarding their love lives. Latto, in particular, was known for her secretive nature, consistently denying rumors about a relationship with 21 Savage. Her stance was always that her private life was just that—private, asserting that “the internet don’t know a goddamn thing.”

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However, the layers of secrecy began to peel back, revealing a more complicated picture. In 2020, 21 Savage dropped a bombshell, revealing he had gotten married. Sources later identified his wife as Kiana Joseph, a woman with whom he had a prior relationship before his high-profile romance with Amber Rose. Their marriage in October 2020 raised eyebrows, particularly due to its timing—just months after he faced the risk of deportation. This led many fans and commentators to speculate about the nature of the union, suggesting it might be a marriage of convenience, or “immigration fraud,” designed to secure his residency in the US. The idea of treating marriage as a business transaction became a prevalent theory, fueled by the fact that he was publicly linked to other women even after his marriage to Kiana.

Despite the marital status, the persistent rumors of 21 Savage and Latto’s secret romance continued to swirl. Their attempts to remain discreet were often thwarted by the internet’s relentless “detective spree.” The first solid evidence emerged in December 2020, when Latto celebrated her birthday in Puerto Rico. While 21 Savage claimed to be vacationing in Miami, keen-eyed fans noticed that the background in his social media stories eerily matched Latto’s vacation setting. Further fueling the speculation, members of 21 Savage’s crew were also reportedly in Puerto Rico, despite claiming to be in Miami. The ultimate “icing on the cake” came with reports that 21 Savage had surprised Latto with a pink Corvette, a gift she proudly showcased in pictures at the time.

Latto initially tried to dismiss these swirling rumors, but her actions often spoke louder than her words. Shortly after, she began wearing a distinctive “777” chain, a subtle nod to 21 Savage, as 7 + 7 + 7 equals 21. While still tight-lipped about the identity of her partner, she admitted on Fat Joe’s show that she was in an “important relationship” that she preferred to keep private, fearing public scrutiny and “groupies” picking apart their bond.

Latto's smile is beautiful. #latto #rap

However, their efforts to maintain privacy weren’t always successful. On one occasion, 21 Savage accidentally posted a picture of Latto on his story, quickly deleting it, but not before the internet captured a screenshot. The caption, “No makeup dang you fine it’s only one way to come about you twin,” caused an uproar and further cemented public suspicion of their relationship. Later, at her 23rd birthday party, 21 Savage was present, and she was reportedly gifted a Lamborghini, again allegedly from him, linking them once more.

The dynamic between the two artists and the ongoing speculation reached new heights. Before the release of her album “777,” Latto revealed that a male rapper she collaborated with had made “unwanted advances” at her, delaying the album’s release. While she didn’t name names, fans quickly pointed fingers at Kodak Black, known for controversial statements about working with female artists. Kodak Black, however, denied the allegations, stating he respected 21 Savage too much to act inappropriately towards Latto.

By 2023, 21 Savage and Latto seemed to be shedding their layers of secrecy. Latto got a tattoo behind her ear, reportedly featuring 21 Savage’s real name, She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, in red ink and a specific script. The Shade Room reported that 21 Savage reciprocated with a matching tattoo of Latto’s real name on his ear. These public displays of affection signaled a shift in their relationship, moving from covert to more openly acknowledged.

Kiana Joseph - 🌸 | LinkedIn

Yet, just as their romance seemed to solidify, Kiana Joseph, 21 Savage’s legal wife, began to reassert her presence. Shortly after the tattoo reveals, Kiana and 21 Savage were spotted on a date, seemingly marking her territory and reminding the world of her marital status. Two months later, she posted a birthday message for 21 Savage’s mother, affectionately calling her “the best mother-in-law a girl could ask for.” These actions underscored the complex love triangle at play.

The plot thickened in 2024 when Latto tweeted, “Fun fact my man really is first and only man I let hit on the first date and we’re 4 years in.” While she carefully avoided naming names, the implication was clear: she was speaking of 21 Savage, who was still legally married to Kiana. Despite the complexities, a month ago, Latto and 21 Savage were spotted on vacation together, further solidifying their public image as a couple. Rumors quickly spread that they were taking their relationship to the “next level,” possibly even heading towards marriage.

However, Kiana Joseph has reportedly decided she won’t be silently “dumped.” Word on the streets is that she was initially fine with 21 Savage “stepping out” as long as their marriage remained intact. But with Latto now openly claiming him and talk of divorce circulating, Kiana has allegedly taken drastic action. Reports suggest she is filing an official complaint with ICE, accusing 21 Savage of immigration fraud—a serious charge, as marrying solely for a visa is illegal. Given ICE’s increased scrutiny on immigrants, this move could place 21 Savage on “thin ice,” literally threatening his ability to remain in the US.

The motivations behind Kiana’s alleged actions are also a subject of intense speculation. If their marriage was purely transactional, as many fans suspected, her vindictive response to his relationship with Latto seems contradictory. Many are wondering if Kiana “caught feelings” for 21 Savage and grew to enjoy her role as his wife, leading to her current outrage and decision to potentially hand him over to ICE.

What started as a covert affair has now spiraled into a dramatic love triangle entangled with severe legal ramifications. While Latto proudly claims her man, declaring “My man, my man, my man, my man for real this time,” Kiana Joseph is reportedly playing a high-stakes game of revenge. The impending legal battle and the ongoing personal drama promise to keep fans and the media on the edge of their seats. The saga of 21 Savage, Latto, and Kiana Joseph is far from over, and whatever happens next, it is bound to be explosive.