Lil Tjay#2022 shooting

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Lil Tjay

| image = File:Lil Tjay on set (cropped 2).jpg

| caption = Lil Tjay in August 2024

| birth_name = Tione Jayden Merritt

| alias =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2001|4|30}}

| discography = Lil Tjay discography

| birth_place = The Bronx, New York City, U.S.

| genre = {{Hlist|East Coast hip-hop|drill|R&B}}

| occupations = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter}}

| years_active = 2017–present

| label = Columbia

| website = {{URL|liltjaymusic.com}}

}}

Tione Jayden Merritt (IPA: {{IPA|[taj.oʊn d͡ʒeɪ.dən ˈmɛɹ.ɪt]|lang=en}}) (born April 30, 2001), known professionally as Lil Tjay ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|i:|d|ʒ|eɪ|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Lil Tjay.wav}} {{respell|TEE|jay}}),{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/brad-callas/lil-tjay-everything-you-need-to-know|title=Everything You Need to Know About Lil Tjay|website=Complex|last=Callas|first=Brad|date=October 11, 2019|accessdate=April 4, 2021}} is an American rapper, singer-songwriter. He rose to prominence with his 2017 single "Resume", and signed with Columbia Records following the success of his 2018 single "Brothers", which received triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His guest appearance on Polo G's 2019 single, "Pop Out" marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100—peaking at number 11—while his own single, "F.N" became his first to do so as a lead artist. Each preceded the release of his debut studio album, True 2 Myself (2019), which peaked at number five on the Billboard 200.

His second studio album, Destined 2 Win (2021) was supported by the single "Calling My Phone" (with 6lack), which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. His 2023 song "Gangsta Boo" (with Ice Spice) likewise entered the chart, and his third studio album, 222, was released in July of that year.

Early life

Merritt was born and raised in the Fordham neighborhood of the Bronx, New York City. He was raised by a single mother and has two younger siblings in what was described as a "roomy" apartment. Merritt called himself the problematic child of the three children, as he would often get himself into petty robberies and school fights. At the age of 15, Merritt was arrested for a robbery, and sentenced to a year at the youth detention center, where he would begin to write raps; they included one of his hit songs "Resume", which he released on SoundCloud.

Merritt's childhood friend, Smelly, was fatally stabbed on August 14, 2016. Merritt pays tribute to his childhood friend in a number of his songs; referencing his name, "Smelly".{{Cite web |date=2021-08-17 |title=Lil Tjay pays tribute to deceased friend with 'Forever In My Heart' |url=https://ourgenerationmusic.com/new-music-spotlight/lil-tjay-pays-tribute-to-deceased-friend-with-forever-in-my-heart/ |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Our Generation Music |language=en-US}}

Career

=2017–2019: Beginnings, record deal, and ''True 2 Myself''=

File:Lil TJ (cropped).jpg

In 2017, Merritt began releasing music on SoundCloud.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/get-to-know-hip-hop-heartthrob-lil-tjay-who-wants-to-be-the-next-usher/|title=Get to Know Hip-Hop Heartthrob Lil Tjay, Who Wants to Be the Next Usher|website=Pitchfork|date=January 18, 2019 |access-date=February 10, 2019}} "Resume", one of his first songs, was released when Merritt was 16 years old, and quickly began spreading online.

On March 10, 2018, Merritt competed and placed first at the NYC All Ages Edition of Coast 2 Coast LIVE, where his performance gained the attention of a record label A&R who was in attendance to judge the showcase.{{Cite web|url=https://coast2coastlive.com/video/lil-tjay-performs-at-coast-2-coast-live-nyc-all-ages-edition-3-10-18-1st-place|title=Lil tjay – Lil tjay Performs at Coast 2 Coast LIVE {{!}} NYC All Ages Edition 3/10/18 – 1st Place {{!}} Videos {{!}} Coast 2 Coast LIVE {{!}} Largest Artist Showcase in the World|website=Coast 2 Coast Live|access-date=April 5, 2019}} Soon after, Merritt released the single "Brothers", which became his biggest song at the time and led to him signing with Columbia Records.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/garysuarez/2018/12/26/5-hip-hop-singles-to-watch-this-winter-on-the-billboard-hot-100/|title=5 Hip-Hop Singles To Watch This Winter On The Billboard Hot 100|last=Suarez|first=Gary|website=Forbes|access-date=February 10, 2019}}

Released on YouTube in 2018, Merritt earned himself recognition through his sampling of Justin Bieber's "Baby" on his single, "None of Your Love".{{Cite web |date=2020-12-09 |title=Lil Tjay Flips Justin Bieber's "Baby" for "None of Your Love" |url=https://hypebeast.com/2020/12/lil-tjay-none-of-your-love-single-stream |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Hypebeast}}

Within the first ten months of Merritt's music career, he had released five tracks that recorded over one million plays on SoundCloud.{{Cite web|url=https://www.elevatormag.com/exploding-nyc-rapper-lil-tjay-doesnt-want-none-of-your-love/|title=Exploding NYC rapper Lil Tjay doesn't want 'None Of Your Love'|date=August 2, 2018|website=Elevator|access-date=April 5, 2019}} "Brothers", "Resume", "Goat", and "Leaked" each accumulated tens of millions of streams.{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/liltjay|title=Lil Tjay|website=SoundCloud|access-date=April 2, 2019}} In July 2018, Merritt worked with producer CashMoneyAP to release "None of Your Love", which also amassed tens of millions of plays. Merritt released his debut EP No Comparison at the end of 2018.

In January 2019, Merritt was featured on fellow rapper Polo G's single "Pop Out", which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lil-tjay/1436446949|title=Lil Tjay on Apple Music|website=Apple Music|access-date=April 2, 2019}} In July, he was featured on boy band PrettyMuch's "Lying".{{Cite magazine|last=Spanos|first=Brittany |date=July 19, 2019|title=Watch PrettyMuch, Lil Tjay's Graffiti-Covered 'Lying' Video|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/prettymuch-lying-lil-tjay-new-video-fomo-tour-861070/|access-date=March 5, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}} Later that year, he released an EP titled F.N; the project's lead single, "F.N", peaked at number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became his first solo charting song. Merritt released his debut album True 2 Myself on October 11, 2019. It debuted and peaked at number 5 on the US Billboard 200. In December, he was featured on a remix of 24kGoldn's song "Valentino".{{Cite web|last=A.|first=Aron|date=January 3, 2020|title=24KGOLDN Taps Lil Tjay For "Valentino (Remix)"|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/24kgoldn-taps-lil-tjay-for-valentino-remix-new-song.1985681.html|access-date=March 5, 2021|website=HotNewHipHop|language=en}}

=2020–2021: ''State of Emergency'' and ''Destined 2 Win''=

In early 2020, Merritt reached the Billboard Hot 100 again with his single "20/20", which peaked at number 94 on the chart. On May 8, 2020, Merritt released the EP State of Emergency, which focused heavily on drill music, a popular subgenre in New York City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/lil-tjay-state-of-emergency-review-2661573|title=Lil Tjay – 'State Of Emergency' EP review: trap'n'b star makes cynical grab for New York drill hype|work=NME|last=Williams|first=Kyann-Sian|date=May 8, 2020|access-date=May 8, 2020}} The seven-song EP included the track "Zoo York" (featuring Fivio Foreign and Pop Smoke), which peaked at number 65 on the Hot 100.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/i/events/1258614435922374661|title="Fans are loving Lil Tjay's song Zoo York"|via=Twitter|date=May 8, 2020|access-date=May 8, 2020}} In July, Merritt appeared on Pop Smoke's debut posthumous album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, on the track "Mood Swings", which reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/pop-smoke/chart-history/hsi/|title=Pop Smoke Chart History: Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 20, 2020}} On August 11, Merritt was included on XXL's 2020 Freshman Class.{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-2020-freshman-class-revealed/|title=XXL 2020 FRESHMAN CLASS REVEALED|work=XXL|last=Cline|first=Georgette|date=August 11, 2020|access-date=August 11, 2020}} In October, Merritt hinted at a new project on Twitter.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/liltjay/status/1319838345271365639|title=Spent the last couple months pouring my heart out into this album. It's finally done!! 🔥😤 I'm extremely excited about this project hopefully it helps ya to get to know me a lil better, I decided to opened up about a lot.|via=Twitter|date=October 24, 2020|accessdate=February 15, 2021}}

On February 12, 2021, Merritt released his single "Calling My Phone", a collaboration with Atlanta singer 6lack, which was accompanied by a music video directed by Cam Busby.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/lil-tjay-and-6lack-share-new-song-calling-my-phone-listen/|title=Lil Tjay and 6LACK Share New Song "Calling My Phone": Listen|website=Pitchfork|date=February 12, 2021}} The song debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the highest-charting single of Merritt's career.{{Cite magazine|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=February 22, 2021|title=Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License' Leads Hot 100 For 6th Week, Lil Tjay's 'Calling My Phone' Dials Up No. 3 Debut|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9529511/olivia-rodrigo-drivers-license-number-one-sixth-week-hot-100/|access-date=February 22, 2021|magazine=Billboard}} On March 19, Merritt released "Headshot", a collaboration with Polo G and Fivio Foreign as the second single from his second studio album, Destined 2 Win, which was released on April 2, 2021. The album consists of twenty-one tracks.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-tjay-announces-new-album-destined-2-win-news.128977.html|title=Lil Tjay Announces New Album "Destined 2 Win"|work=HotNewHipHop|last=Findlay|first=Mitch|date=March 24, 2021|accessdate=March 24, 2021}} On October 22, Merritt released the lead single to his upcoming third studio album "Not in the Mood" (featuring Fivio Foreign and Kay Flock). The single was teased in snippets using TikTok from September prior to its release.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-tjay-drops-new-drill-single-not-in-the-mood-with-fivio-foreign-and-kay-flock-new-song.1993039.html?_amp|title=Lil Tjay Drops New Drill Single "Not In The Mood" With Fivio Foreign & Kay Flock|website=HotNewHipHop|last=Zidel|first=Alex|date=October 22, 2021|accessdate=April 23, 2022}}

=2022–present: ''222''=

In early March 2022, Merritt began teasing a new song titled "In My Head" which uses a sample of Iyaz's "Replay". It was eventually released on April 1, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2022/04/01/watch-lil-tjay-returns-with-in-my-head-single-and-video/|title=[WATCH] LIL TJAY RETURNS WITH "IN MY HEAD" SINGLE AND VIDEO|website=The Source|last=Grant|first=Shawn|date=April 1, 2022|accessdate=April 26, 2022}} On April, Merritt released a freestyle "Lavish" on his YouTube channel. The following day, he announced his EP Strictly 4 My Fans.{{cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-04-25/165204/lil-tjay-announces-new-strictly4myfans-ep-and-drops-off-lavish-freestyle/|title=Lil Tjay announces new 'Strictly4MyFans' EP and drops off "Lavish (Freestyle)"|website=Revolt TV|last=Cho|first=Regina|date=April 25, 2022|accessdate=April 26, 2022}} On August 26, Merritt released his single "Beat the Odds", which details his near-fatal shooting and an update on his recovery.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-27 |title=Lil Tjay Drops New Track "Beat The Odds" Following Near-Fatal Shooting |url=https://hypebeast.com/2022/8/lil-tjay-beat-the-odds-new-song-video |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Hypebeast}} On November 17, Merritt teased a trailer for his single "Give You What You Want", which was released the same day at 4 p.m. on YouTube.{{Citation |title=Lil Tjay - Give You What You Want (Official Video) | date=November 17, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X-EGxnaQQ8 |language=en |access-date=2022-12-05}}

In late June 2023, Merritt revealed on social media that a new album was on the way{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Ctwat9YA3-n/|title=I got a story to tell 🤫... "June 22nd" out this Thursday! Album otw 🙏🏾❗️|via=Instagram|author=Lil Tjay|accessdate=July 14, 2023}} and released its lead singles "June 22nd" on June 23,{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2023/06/23/lil-tjay-june-22nd/|title=LIL TJAY DELIVERS "JUNE 22ND," REMEMBERING THE DAY HE WAS SHOT ONE YEAR AGO|website=The Source|last=Grant|first=Shawn|date=June 23, 2023|accessdate=July 14, 2023}} which that he revealed the album's title 222 on Instagram, and "Project Walls" featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again on July 7,{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/693495-lil-tjay-nba-youngboy-project-walls|title=Lil Tjay Drops Off "Project Walls" With NBA YoungBoy|website=HotNewHipHop|last=Cole|first=Alexander|date=July 8, 2023|accessdate=July 14, 2023}} on which he also revealed the album's cover and tracklist with features from Summer Walker, The Kid LAROI, Fivio Foreign, Jadakiss, Polo G and Coco Jones. Before the album's release, Merritt released short documentaries on his social media and performed "Bla Bla" with Fivio Foreign at Wireless Festival 2023. 222 was released on July 14, 2023. 222 sold 22k in its first week.

2022 shooting

On June 22, 2022, Merritt was shot seven times during an attempted robbery in Edgewater, New Jersey.{{cite web|url=https://www.bcpo.net/three-men-charged-in-edgewater-nj-shooting/|title=THREE MEN CHARGED IN EDGEWATER, NJ SHOOTING|website=Bergen County Prosecutor's Office|date=June 22, 2022|access-date=August 26, 2022}} He was flown to Hackensack University Medical Center and underwent emergency surgery, while a second victim—22-year-old Antoine Boyd—who is friends with Merritt, was also shot once and was in stable condition.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-22 |title=Rapper Critically Wounded, Second Victim Stable In Edgewater Shooting |url=https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/cliffsidepark/news/rapper-critically-wounded-second-victim-stable-in-edgewater-shooting/835818/ |access-date=2022-06-22 |website=Cliffside Park-Edgewater Daily Voice |language=en}} Meanwhile, the shooter was also hit by gunfire, and escaped with help from an unidentified co-conspirator.{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Liam |title=Court records detail what led up to the shooting of NY rapper Lil Tjay in Edgewater |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/edgewater/2022/06/23/edgewater-nj-shooting-lil-tjay-suspect-also-shot/7712683001/ |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=North Jersey Media Group}} The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office reported that the shooting did not appear random, and that one victim was upgraded from critical to stable condition, while the other was in good condition.{{Cite tweet|user=bcponj|number=1539652258169638913|title=Update on #BCPONJ & @EdgewaterPolice investigation in Edgewater NJ shooting: per initial investigation, does not appear to be random act and one victim upgraded from critical to stable condition. Other admitted to hospital with non-life threatening injuries in good condition.}}

Later that day, police arrested 27-year-old Mohamed Konate, who was charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of first-degree armed robbery, and multiple weapons offenses.{{Cite web |date=June 23, 2022 |title=Prosecutor: Man charged in Edgewater shooting that injured 2, including rapper Lil Tjay |url=https://newjersey.news12.com/police-2-shot-overnight-in-edgewater-tmz-reports-one-victim-is-rapper-lil-tjay |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=News 12 - New Jersey |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622163057/https://newjersey.news12.com/police-2-shot-overnight-in-edgewater-tmz-reports-one-victim-is-rapper-lil-tjay |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |first1=Tariq |last1=Zehawi |first2=Liam |last2=Quinn |first3=Nicholas |last3=Katzban |title=New York rapper Lil Tjay shot in Edgewater shopping center in attempted robbery |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/edgewater/2022/06/22/lil-tjay-shot-edgewater-nj-emergency-surgery/7698064001/ |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=North Jersey Media Group}} Jeffery Valdez, who was with Merritt but was not injured, and Antoine Boyd were both charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, but charges were later dropped. Merritt was not charged with any crime.{{Cite web |title=Bronx-born rapper Lil Tjay shot in N.J., Manhattan man charged |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-rapper-lil-tjay-shot-surgery-new-jersey-20220622-kkttmsq4orgzfdps3w5cmiurja-story.html |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=New York Daily News|date=June 22, 2022 }}

On June 23, 2022, it was reported that Merritt was still unconscious following the shooting.{{Cite news |title=Lil Tjay Still Unconscious Following Shooting |url=https://www.tmz.com/2022/06/23/lil-tjay-shooting-new-jersey-unconscious/ |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=TMZ |language=en}} Days following a lack of any credible updates on Merritt's condition, rumors began to surface claiming that he was paralyzed and possibly brain dead. However, multiple sources later disproved these rumors, as news came out on July 1, 2022, stating that Merritt was still hospitalized but "alert and talking."{{Cite tweet|title=Lil Tjay Alert & Talking Following NJ Shooting... |user=liltjay|number=1562473894123950082}}

On August 24, 2022, Merrit uploaded an update video on his social media accounts. In the video, he states how he's doing better and is "going to come back stronger than ever" while wearing a neck brace.{{cite tweet|user=liltjay|number=1562473894123950082|title=Thanks for the love and support ya I appreciate everything}}

On August 26, 2022, Merritt released his single "Beat the Odds", which details his near-fatal experience and recovery.

Incident in 2023

On January 16, 2023, Merritt was arrested in the Bronx and was placed in police custody, following a traffic stop.{{Cite web |title=Lil Tjay Arrested For Gun Possession En Route To Ice Spice Video Shoot |url=https://www.tmz.com/2023/01/16/lil-tjay-arrested-gun-possession-bronx-ice-spice-music-video/ |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=TMZ |date=January 16, 2023 |language=en}} Merritt was on his way to film with fellow Bronx rapper Ice Spice at the time of the arrest. The police found a handgun in the vehicle, before arresting him. He was charged with weapon possession and a court date was set for February 14.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-28 |title=Lil Tjay Released Again After Judge Blunder Sent Him Back To Jail |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/lil-tjay-out-on-bail-again-gun-charges |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}

Merritt's attorney, Dawn Florio, claims the gun found by police does not belong to Merritt.{{Cite web |title=Lil Tjay's Attorney Thinks Rapper Was Illegally Searched During Gun Arrest |url=https://www.tmz.com/2023/01/17/lil-tjay-attorney-illegal-search-gun-arrest-bronx-ice-spice-music-video/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=TMZ |date=January 17, 2023 |language=en}} She also claims that the search conducted by officers was conducted illegally, as the car was allegedly parked legally on the street and Merritt was allegedly a passenger in the car.

Artistry

Influenced by his upbringing in the Bronx, Merritt is a melodic rapper who frequently incorporates Auto-Tune in his songs.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/lil-tjay-profile-artist-you-need-to-know-773450/|title=Rising Bronx Rapper Lil Tjay Will Make You Feel Old|last=Holmes|first=Charles|date=January 3, 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=February 10, 2019}} He has drawn comparisons to fellow New York rapper A Boogie wit da Hoodie.{{Cite web|url=https://grittyvibes.com/2018/06/lil-tjay-is-new-yorks-next-big-star/|title=Lil Tjay is New York's next big STAR|last=Hunt|first=Relly|date=June 21, 2018|website=Gritty Vibes Magazine|access-date=April 3, 2019}} In an interview with Rolling Stone, he revealed that his biggest musical influences are Drake, Meek Mill, and Usher. In the same interview, Merritt described his music as having a melodic sound when singing or rapping about his past struggles. Merritt also credits his success to his year spent in prison, where he claims that his ability to write songs peaked.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lil-tjay-mn0003807005/biography|title=Lil Tjay {{!}} Biography & History|website=AllMusic|access-date=April 3, 2019}} In Pitchfork's featured article on Merritt, he is referred to as a "hip-hop heartthrob". Later in the interview, Merritt explained that he is often called the "Bronx Justin Bieber" because of his sampling of Justin Bieber's "Baby" on his song, "None of Your Love".

Live performances

Merritt accompanied Seattle rapper Lil Mosey on his nationwide tour throughout 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jambase.com/band/lil-tjay|title=Lil Tjay – Upcoming Shows, Tickets, Reviews, More|date=August 26, 2018|website=JamBase|access-date=April 5, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/lil-mosey-lil-tjay-c-glizzy-bandkids/Event?oid=63378992|title=Lil Mosey, Lil TJay, C Glizzy, Bandkids|website=Chicago Reader|date=September 23, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2019}} He also has performed at the three-day Rolling Loud music festival along with Migos, Travis Scott, and Kid Cudi in Miami Gardens, Florida, in May 2019{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/rolling-loud-miami-2019-travis-scott-kid-cudi-cardi-b-more/|title=Rolling Loud Miami 2019: Travis Scott, Kid Cudi, Cardi B, amogh <3 Kiran, and More|author=|website=Pitchfork|date=January 28, 2019|access-date=April 5, 2019}} and at the Los Angeles festival in December. He frequently appears and performs on concerts with close friend Jay Gwuapo.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

In September 2022, a few months after the shooting, Merritt performed his first concert since being shot. He returned to the stage for his 2022 Rolling Loud performance on September 23 in New York.