21 Savage’s little brother was Terrell Davis, a 27-year-old British citizen and aspiring musician who performed under the stage name TM1way. Tragically, Terrell was killed in November 2020 following a stabbing incident in South London. He was one of several siblings in 21 Savage’s complex family tree, which spans both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Who Was Terrell Davis (TM1way)?
Terrell Davis, known to the public and the London music scene as TM1way, was the younger paternal half-brother of the Grammy-winning rapper 21 Savage (born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph). While 21 Savage became a global icon of the Atlanta "trap" scene, Terrell remained in London, the city where both brothers were born. Terrell was a fixture in the local community of Brixton, South London, and was beginning to carve out a niche for himself in the UK Drill music scene.
Unlike his famous brother, who moved to the United States at the age of seven, Terrell grew up entirely within the British system. He was known by friends and family as a kind-hearted individual who was deeply devoted to his family, particularly his grandmother. His musical style, TM1way, reflected the gritty, rhythmic reality of South London life, characterized by heavy basslines and lyrical storytelling common in the drill genre.
Terrell and 21 Savage shared the same father, Kevin Emmons. Despite the geographical distance and 21 Savage's meteoric rise to fame in America, the brothers maintained a connection. The tragedy of Terrell’s death was compounded by the fact that 21 Savage had already lost another brother, Quantivayus Joseph, to gun violence in the United States years prior.
The Tragic Incident of November 2020
The events of November 22, 2020, forever changed the Abraham-Joseph and Emmons families. On that Sunday evening, Terrell Davis was visiting the Blenheim Gardens estate in Brixton. According to investigative reports and witness testimonies during the subsequent trial, Terrell had been helping his grandmother by taking her some shopping.
While at the estate, an altercation broke out between Terrell and an acquaintance, Tyreeq Wright. The dispute, which was later described in court as having no clear or rational motive, escalated rapidly. During the confrontation, Terrell was stabbed once in the chest. Despite the rapid response of the London Ambulance Service and the deployment of an air ambulance, Terrell was pronounced dead at the scene.
The news of the stabbing sent shockwaves through the Brixton community. Terrell was not known as a "troublemaker" in the traditional sense; rather, he was seen as a young man trying to navigate his way through a music career while supporting his elders. The senseless nature of the violence—occurring while he was performing a simple act of kindness for his grandmother—became a central point of grief for his family.
21 Savage’s Public Response and Grief
When the news reached 21 Savage in the United States, the rapper took to Instagram to share his heartbreak. He posted a series of childhood photos of himself and Terrell, accompanied by a caption that resonated with his millions of followers: "Can’t believe somebody took you baby bro I know I took my anger out on you I wish I could take that s*** back."
This public admission of sibling regret is common in the grieving process, but for 21 Savage, it highlighted the reality of their relationship. Because 21 Savage had faced significant legal issues with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2019—which revealed his British citizenship to the world—he had been unable to travel freely back to the UK to see his family during that period. The "distance" was not just emotional but legal and physical.
The loss of Terrell was a recurring theme in 21 Savage’s subsequent creative output. Fans and critics noted a deeper sense of somberness in his lyrics, particularly regarding the themes of loyalty, loss, and the cycle of violence. Having lost two brothers to street violence on two different continents, 21 Savage became a vocal, albeit stoic, advocate for ending the "senseless killing" that plagues urban centers globally.
Legal Proceedings and the Sentencing of Tyreeq Wright
Following the stabbing, the Metropolitan Police launched a swift investigation. Tyreeq Wright, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was eventually apprehended and charged. The legal proceedings took place at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey) in London.
During the trial in 2021, the court heard conflicting accounts of the confrontation. Wright’s defense argued a level of provocation, but the prosecution maintained that the use of a knife was a disproportionate and lethal response to a verbal or minor physical dispute. In July 2021, Wright was found guilty of manslaughter, though he was cleared of the more serious charge of murder.
Summary of Legal Outcomes
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Tyreeq Wright |
| Charge | Manslaughter (Found Not Guilty of Murder) |
| Victim | Terrell Davis (TM1way) |
| Incident Date | November 22, 2020 |
| Sentencing Date | July 2021 |
| Sentence Length | 7 years in a Young Offender Institution |
| Court | The Old Bailey (London) |
The sentence of seven years was met with mixed emotions. For the family of Terrell Davis, no amount of time could replace the life lost. The judge, Mr. Justice Henshaw, noted during sentencing that while Wright had not intended to kill Davis, the carrying and use of a knife had inevitably led to a "tragic and unnecessary death."
21 Savage’s Other Siblings and Family Tree
The story of 21 Savage’s "little brother" often requires disambiguation because the rapper comes from a large, blended family. His family history is split between London and Atlanta, leading to some confusion regarding his siblings.
- Quantivayus Joseph (Tayman): He was 21 Savage’s brother who was killed in a shooting during a drug deal gone wrong years before 21 Savage became famous. 21 Savage has a tattoo of a dagger on his forehead in honor of Quantivayus.
- Kyra Davis and Jayda Davis: These are 21 Savage's sisters. They became more prominent in the media during the rapper’s 2019 ICE detention, where they spoke out in his defense and clarified the family's British roots. Both sisters are active on social media and have occasionally worked in the beauty and fashion industries.
- Other Half-Siblings: Through his father, Kevin Emmons, 21 Savage has other siblings in the UK. The family dynamics are complex, as his mother, Heather Carmillia Joseph, moved Shéyaa (21 Savage) to Georgia while his father and other siblings remained in or around London.
The loss of both Terrell and Quantivayus has left 21 Savage as the primary surviving male figure among his immediate siblings, a position that he has often discussed in interviews as being a heavy emotional burden.
The Cultural Impact: UK Drill and London Knife Crime
To understand the context of Terrell Davis’s life and death, one must look at the environment of South London in the early 2020s. Terrell was part of the UK Drill scene, a subgenre of rap that has faced significant scrutiny from the Metropolitan Police and the British government.
Drill music, characterized by its dark, cynical lyrics and focus on street life, is often blamed by authorities for fueling gang rivalries. However, many artists, including those who knew Terrell, argue that the music is a symptom of the environment, not the cause. Terrell’s death was an example of the "knife crime epidemic" that has plagued London for over a decade.
For 21 Savage, who became the face of Atlanta's "Zone 6," the death of his brother in London highlighted that the dangers of the street are universal. Whether it is gun violence in Georgia or knife crime in Brixton, the result—the loss of young Black lives—is the same. This realization influenced the 2024 album american dream, where 21 Savage reflects on his dual heritage and the trauma that followed him across the Atlantic.
Quantivayus vs. Terrell: A History of Loss
It is important for researchers and fans to distinguish between the loss of Quantivayus Joseph and Terrell Davis. While both were 21 Savage’s brothers, their deaths occurred nearly a decade apart and under different circumstances.
Quantivayus (Tayman) was the catalyst for 21 Savage’s entry into the rap world. His death was the moment Shéyaa decided to take music seriously as a way out of the lifestyle that claimed his brother’s life. The iconic "21" in his name is a reference to the 211 street gang in which he and Quantivayus were involved.
Terrell’s death in 2020, conversely, happened when 21 Savage was already a multi-platinum superstar. It served as a reminder that wealth and fame cannot always protect one's family, especially when separated by international borders. The loss of Terrell was more of a "mature" grief for the rapper—one that forced him to confront his British identity and the family he had left behind in London.
The Current Status in 2026
As of 2026, the legacy of Terrell Davis continues to be felt within 21 Savage's circle. Tyreeq Wright, sentenced in 2021 to seven years, has reached the point in the British legal system where parole or supervised release is often considered, depending on behavior and time served.
21 Savage has since resolved many of his immigration hurdles, officially becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States in late 2023. This change in status finally allowed him to travel internationally. In late 2023 and throughout 2024, he returned to the UK for his first performances on British soil since his childhood. These trips were reportedly very emotional, as they allowed him to visit his brother’s resting place and spend time with his grieving family in London.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Terrell Davis older or younger than 21 Savage?
Terrell Davis was 21 Savage's younger brother. At the time of his death in 2020, Terrell was 27 years old, while 21 Savage was 28. They were very close in age, which added to the tragedy of the loss.
Did 21 Savage attend his brother's funeral?
At the time of Terrell's death and funeral in late 2020/early 2021, 21 Savage was unable to travel to the United Kingdom due to his ongoing legal case with ICE and the travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he provided significant financial support for the family and the funeral arrangements.
How many brothers has 21 Savage lost?
21 Savage has lost two brothers. His brother Quantivayus Joseph was shot and killed in Atlanta years ago, and his brother Terrell Davis was stabbed to death in London in 2020. These losses are frequently referenced in his music and are the reason behind his "dagger" forehead tattoo.
What was Terrell Davis's rap name?
Terrell Davis performed under the name TM1way. He was an aspiring artist in the UK Drill scene, and his music can still be found on various streaming platforms, serving as a digital archive of his artistic contributions.
Who is 21 Savage's father?
21 Savage’s father is Kevin Emmons, a British man living in London. Kevin is also the father of Terrell Davis. While 21 Savage’s relationship with his father has been described as strained or distant in the past, the family has had to come together following the death of Terrell.
Summary of Family Guidance and Support
If you are looking for more information on the life of 21 Savage or want to support anti-violence initiatives inspired by these events, the following actions are recommended:
- Research "Leading Families Against Youth Crime": This and similar UK-based organizations work specifically with families affected by knife crime in London.
- Listen to 'american dream' (2024): 21 Savage’s album provides his most direct musical commentary on his British roots and the pain of losing family members while living abroad.
- Support Local Music Archives: Seeking out TM1way's music on platforms like SoundCloud or YouTube helps preserve the artistic legacy of a young man whose career was cut short.
The story of 21 Savage's little brother is a somber reminder of the realities of street violence, but it also highlights the resilience of a family that has faced immense tragedy on a global stage.
