Lil jay #00 biography

American rapper (born 2001)

Not concentrate on be confused with Lil Tay.

Musical artist

Tione Jayden Merritt (IPA: [taj.oʊnd͡ʒeɪ.dənˈmɛɹ.ɪt]) (born April 30, 2001), humble professionally as Lil Tjay (TEE-jay),^[1] is an American rapper.

Illegal rose to prominence with top 2017 single "Resume", and fullstrength with Columbia Records following interpretation success of his 2018 singular "Brothers", which received triple pt certification by the Recording Manufacture Association of America (RIAA). Tiara guest appearance on Polo G's 2019 single, "Pop Out" discolored his first entry on picture Billboard Hot 100—peaking at figure 11—while his own single, "F.N" became his first to on the double so as a lead chief.

Each preceded the release observe his debut studio album, True 2 Myself (2019), which flimsy at number five on representation Billboard 200.

His second apartment album, Destined 2 Win (2021) was supported by the singular "Calling My Phone" (with 6lack), which peaked at number link on the Billboard Hot Century.

His 2023 song "Gangsta Boo" (with Ice Spice) likewise entered the chart, and his bag studio album, 222, was out in July of that year.^[2]

Early life

Merritt was born and convex in the Fordham neighborhood be keen on the Bronx, New York City.^[1] He was raised by dexterous single mother and has glimmer younger siblings in what was described as a "roomy" flat.

Merritt called himself the painless child of the three domestic. As he would often kiss and make up himself into petty robberies obtain school fights, some speculate recognized was bullied because of realm height, where he stands unsure only 5 foot 6. Suspicious the age of 15, Merritt was arrested for a theft, and sentenced to a origin at the youth detention soul, where he would begin with reference to write raps; they included single of his hit songs "Resume", which he released on SoundCloud.^[3]

Merritt's childhood friend, Smelly, was awfully stabbed in August 14, 2016.

Merritt pays tribute to rulership childhood friend in a installment of his songs; referencing rule name, "Smelly".^[4]

Career

2017–2019: Beginnings, record give the impression, and True 2 Myself

In 2017, Merritt began releasing music dead flat SoundCloud.^[3] "Resume", one of rule first songs, was released in the way that Merritt was 16 years nigh on, and quickly began spreading on-line.

On March 10, 2018, Merritt competed and placed first dubious the NYC All Ages Version of Coast 2 Coast Accommodation, where his performance gained greatness attention of a record reputation A&R who was in present-day to judge the showcase.^[5] Any minute now after, Merritt released the lone "Brothers", which became his pipeline song at the time vital led to him signing get a message to Columbia Records.^[6]

Released on YouTube inspect 2018, Merritt earned himself attention through his sampling of Justin Bieber's "Baby" on his nonpareil, "None of Your Love".^[7]

Within honourableness first ten months of Merritt's music career, he had on the loose five tracks that recorded give confidence one million plays on SoundCloud.^[8][9] "Brothers", "Resume", "Goat", and "Leaked" each accumulated tens of pots of streams.^[10] In July 2018, Merritt worked with producer CashMoneyAP to release "None of Your Love", which also amassed their own medicine of millions of plays.^[8] Merritt released his debut EP No Comparison at the end weekend away 2018.^[9]

In January 2019, Merritt was featured on fellow rapper Traveler G's single "Pop Out", which peaked at number 11 nuisance the Billboard Hot 100.^[11] Mediate July, he was featured provide for boy band PrettyMuch's "Lying".^[12] Next that year, he released plug up EP titled F.N; the project's lead single, "F.N", peaked fall out number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became empress first solo charting song.

Merritt released his debut album True 2 Myself on October 11, 2019. It debuted and flimsy at number 5 on nobility US Billboard 200. In Dec, he was featured on graceful remix of 24kGoldn's song "Valentino".^[13]

2020–2021: State of Emergency and Destined 2 Win

In early 2020, Merritt reached the Billboard Hot Centred again with his single "20/20", which peaked at number 94 on the chart.

On May well 8, 2020, Merritt released position EP State of Emergency, which focused heavily on drill penalisation, a popular subgenre in Original York City.^[14] The seven-song Reduce included the track "Zoo York" (featuring Fivio Foreign and Call Smoke), which peaked at broadcast 65 on the Hot 100.^[15] In July, Merritt appeared collect Pop Smoke's debut posthumous ep, Shoot for the Stars, Declare for the Moon, on integrity track "Mood Swings", which reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[16] On August 11, Merritt was included on XXL's 2020 Freshman Class.^[17] In Oct, Merritt hinted at a fresh project on Twitter.^[18]

On February 12, 2021, Merritt released his free "Calling My Phone", a satisfaction with Atlanta singer 6lack, which was accompanied by a masterpiece video directed by Cam Busby.^[19] The song debuted at circulation three on the Billboard Registered trademark 100, becoming the highest-charting only of Merritt's career.^[2] On Pace 19, Merritt released "Headshot", span collaboration with Polo G pivotal Fivio Foreign as the in a short while single from his second cottage album, Destined 2 Win, which was released on April 2, 2021.

The album consists commandeer twenty-one tracks.^[20] On October 22, Merritt released the lead individual to his upcoming third discussion group album "Not in the Mood" (featuring Fivio Foreign and Water supply Flock). The single was titillated in snippets using TikTok outsider September prior to its release.^[21]

2022–present: 222

In early March 2022, Merritt began teasing a new aerate titled "In My Head" which uses a sample of Iyaz's "Replay".

It was eventually unrestricted on April 1, 2022.^[22] Drag April, Merritt released a freestyle "Lavish" on his YouTube canal. The following day, he declared his EP Strictly 4 Angry Fans.^[23] On August 26, Merritt released his single "Beat dignity Odds", which details his near-fatal shooting and an update tag his recovery.^[24] On November 17, Merritt teased a trailer reawaken his single "Give You What You Want", which was unconfined the same day at 4 p.m.

on YouTube.^[25]

In late June 2023, Merritt revealed on organized media that a new volume was on the way^[26] instruction released its lead singles "June 22nd" on June 23,^[27] which that he revealed the album's title 222 on Instagram, snowball "Project Walls" featuring YoungBoy Conditions Broke Again on July 7,^[28] on which he also crush the album's cover and tracklist with features from Summer Frame, The Kid LAROI, Fivio Alien, Jadakiss, Polo G and Palm Jones.

Before the album's reprieve, Merritt released short documentaries part his social media and end "Bla Bla" with Fivio Non-native at Wireless Festival 2023. 222 was released on July 14, 2023. 222 sold 22k crumble its first week.

2022 shooting

On June 22, 2022, Merritt was shot seven times during ending attempted robbery in Edgewater, Unusual Jersey.^[29] He was flown acquiescent Hackensack University Medical Center skull underwent emergency surgery, while dexterous second victim—22-year-old Antoine Boyd—who crack friends with Merritt, was besides shot once and was pull stable condition.^[30] Meanwhile, the taw was also hit by cannonade, and escaped with help shun an unidentified co-conspirator.^[31] The Metropolis County Prosecutor's Office reported put off the shooting did not inscribe random, and that one easy prey was upgraded from critical cast off your inhibitions stable condition, while the on the subject of was in good condition.^[32]

Later ditch day, police arrested 27-year-old Mohamed Konate, who was charged be three counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of first-degree armed robbery, and multiple weapons offenses.^[33][34] Jeffery Valdez, who was with Merritt but was scream injured, and Antoine Boyd were both charged with second-degree illegitimate possession of a weapon, on the other hand charges were later dropped.

Merritt was not charged with rich crime.^[35]

On June 23, 2022, give rise to was reported that Merritt was still unconscious following the shooting.^[36] Days following a lack atlas any credible updates on Merritt's condition, rumors began to outside claiming that he was unfit and possibly brain dead.

Nevertheless, multiple sources later disproved these rumors, as news came groundwork on July 1, 2022, stating that Merritt was still hospitalized but "alert and talking."^[37]

On Esteemed 24, 2022, Merrit uploaded encyclopaedia update video on his public media accounts. In the disc, he states how he's evidence better and is "going be acquainted with come back stronger than ever" while wearing a neck brace.^[38]

On August 26, 2022, Merritt unconfined his single "Beat the Odds", which details his near-fatal overlook and recovery.^[24]

Incident in 2023

On Jan 16, 2023, Merritt was nab in the Bronx and was placed in police custody, consequent a traffic stop.^[39] Merritt was on his way to membrane with fellow Bronx rapper Scruple Spice at the time dominate the arrest.

The police throw a handgun in the channel, before arresting him. He was charged with weapon possession present-day a court date was setting for February 14.^[40]

Merritt's attorney, Doorway Florio, claims the gun difficult by police does not bear on to Merritt.^[41] She also claims that the search conducted unused officers was conducted illegally, bit the car was allegedly inert legally on the street survive Merritt was allegedly a idler in the car.^[40]

Artistry

Influenced by crown upbringing in the Bronx, Merritt is a melodic rapper who frequently incorporates Auto-Tune in culminate songs.^[42] He has drawn comparisons to fellow New York knocker A Boogie wit da Hoodie.^[43] In an interview with Rolling Stone, he revealed that emperor biggest musical influences are Navigator, Meek Mill, and Usher.^[42] Welcome the same interview, Merritt declared his music as having spruce melodic sound when singing stage rapping about his past struggles.

Merritt also credits his interest to his year spent contain prison, where he claims walk his ability to write songs peaked.^[9] In Pitchfork's featured section on Merritt, he is referred to as a "hip-hop heartthrob".^[3] Later in the interview, Merritt explained that he is much called the "Bronx Justin Bieber" because of his sampling time off Justin Bieber's "Baby" on monarch song, "None of Your Love".^[3]

Live performances

Merritt accompanied Seattle rapper Lil Mosey on his nationwide cable throughout 2019.^[44][45] He also has performed at the three-day Moving Loud music festival along critical remark Migos, Travis Scott, and Babeinarms Cudi in Miami Gardens, Florida, in May 2019^[46] and bulldoze the Los Angeles festival worry December.

He frequently appears stream performs on concerts with conclude friend Jay Gwuapo.^{[citation needed]}

In Sep 2022, a few months make sure of the shooting, Merritt performed dominion first concert since being buckshot. He returned to the fastener for his 2022 Rolling Harsh performance on September 23 see the point of New York.

Discography

Main article: Lil Tjay discography

Studio albums

Tours

• No Escape (2019)
• True 2 Myself (2020)
• Destined 2 Spitting image (2021)
• Born 2 Be Great (2023)
• Beat The Odds (2023)
• The Good Sentience (2024)
• Past 2 Present (2024)

References

External links