Lil Tjay

Personal Details :

• Full Name: Tione Jayden Merritt
• Stage Name: Lil Tjay
• Date of Birth: April 30, 2001
• Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York City, USA
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter
• Genres: Hip hop, Trap, R&B
• Years Active: 2017 – present
• Label: Columbia Records

Social Media Presence :

• Instagram: @liltjay
• Twitter: @liltjay
• YouTube: Lil Tjay
• OnlyFans: Lil Tjay
• Facebook: Lil Tjay
• TikTok: Lil Tjay

Career Overview :

2017–2019: Early Beginnings and Breakthrough

• SoundCloud Debut: In 2017, Lil Tjay began releasing music on SoundCloud, gaining attention with his single “Resume.”

• Record Deal: Following the success of his 2018 single “Brothers,” which achieved triple platinum status, he signed with Columbia Records.

• Debut Album: His debut studio album, True 2 Myself, was released on October 11, 2019. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the RIAA in February 2023.

2020–2021: Continued Success

• Second Album: In 2021, Lil Tjay released his second studio album, Destined 2 Win. The album featured the hit single “Calling My Phone” with 6lack, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

• Collaborations: He continued to collaborate with various artists, further solidifying his presence in the music industry.

2022: Personal Challenges and Recovery

• Shooting Incident: In June 2022, Lil Tjay was shot multiple times during an attempted robbery in Edgewater, New Jersey. He underwent emergency surgery and faced a lengthy recovery process.

• Resilience: Despite the severity of the incident, Lil Tjay’s resilience and determination led to a remarkable recovery, allowing him to return to music and continue his career.

2023–2024: New Releases and Evolution

• Third Album: On July 14, 2023, Lil Tjay released his third studio album, 222. The album featured collaborations with artists like The Kid LAROI, NBA YoungBoy, Jadakiss, Summer Walker, and Fivio Foreign. The title “222” is symbolic, representing both an angel number and the time he was airlifted after being shot.

• Farewell EP: On December 6, 2024, he released the EP Farewell, which marked his departure from Columbia Records. The EP featured guest appearances from NLE Choppa, Rich the Kid, Polo G, and G Herbo.

Lil Tjay’s career trajectory showcases his growth as an artist and his resilience in the face of personal challenges. From his early beginnings in the Bronx to becoming a prominent figure in the music industry, his journey continues to inspire many

Personal Life & Interests :

Early Life

• Birth Name: Tione Jayden Merritt

• Date of Birth: April 30, 2001

• Hometown: The Bronx, New York City, USA

• Lil Tjay was raised in the Bronx, where he faced many challenges growing up, including involvement with street life and the juvenile justice system.

 Family

• Lil Tjay is very close to his family, especially his mother and siblings.

• He often credits his family for supporting him and keeping him grounded through his rise to fame.

• He has not publicly disclosed much about his romantic relationships but shares occasional glimpses of his personal life on social media.

 Interests and Hobbies

• Music: From a young age, Lil Tjay was passionate about music, especially rap and melodic hip-hop.

• He often cites artists like A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Kodak Black, and Juice WRLD as musical influences.

• His style blends melodic singing with rap, focusing on emotional storytelling.

• Basketball: Lil Tjay enjoys playing basketball in his free time and is a fan of the sport.

• He has referenced basketball culture in his lyrics and social media posts.

• Fashion: Known for his trendy streetwear style, Lil Tjay frequently wears popular brands and collaborates with fashion designers for his looks.

 Personal Challenges

• At age 15, Lil Tjay served time in a juvenile detention center, which influenced his perspective on life and music.

• In 2022, he survived a near-fatal shooting during an attempted robbery, undergoing emergency surgery and a long recovery period. This experience deeply affected his outlook and inspired some of his recent music.

Philanthropy and Community

• Lil Tjay has expressed a desire to give back to his community in the Bronx.

• Though not widely publicized, he participates in efforts to support youth and promote positive change through his music and social media influence.

Net Worth :

As of 2025, Lil Tjay’s net worth is estimated to be between $6 million and $10 million, reflecting his multifaceted career and strategic financial endeavors.

 Sources of Income

1. Music Sales & Streaming

• Lil Tjay’s music generates substantial income through streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

• His collaborations with artists such as Polo G and 6lack have further contributed to his financial success.

2. Touring & Live Performances

• In 2025, Lil Tjay embarked on a highly successful world tour, selling out arenas and commanding significant fees for his electrifying shows.

3. Merchandise Sales

• The rapper’s brand resonates with a young audience, making his merchandise appealing and profitable.

4. Business Ventures

• Lil Tjay has expanded his financial portfolio through strategic investments in various business ventures.

• He has established his own clothing line, partnered with popular brands, and ventured into the world of real estate.

5. Endorsements & Sponsorships

• His growing popularity has attracted numerous brand endorsements and sponsorships.

• Companies in the fashion, technology, and lifestyle sectors have partnered with him, leveraging his influence to reach broader audiences.

Awards & Achievements :

• American Music Awards

  • 2021 Nominee: Favorite Hip-Hop Song for “Calling My Phone” (featuring 6lack)

  iHeartRadio Music Awards

  • 2022 Nominee: Best New Hip-Hop Artist

  Brit Awards

  • 2022 Nominee: International Song of the Year for “Calling My Phone” (featuring 6lack)

  Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA)

  • 2022 Nominee: Best Original Song – Video Game for “Vroom” (Gran Turismo 7), shared with The Fanatix, Idris Elba, Davido, Koffee, and Moelogo

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   Chart Achievements

  • “Calling My Phone” (featuring 6lack):

    • Debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Lil Tjay’s highest-charting single.

    • Peaked at #1 on the Canadian Hot 100.

    • Achieved 4× Platinum certification in the United States.

  • “F.N.”:

    • Achieved 5× Platinum certification in the United States.

  • “Brothers”:

    • Achieved 3× Platinum certification in the United States.

  • “Leaked”:

    • Achieved 2× Platinum certification in the United States.

  • “Hold On”, “Ruthless”, “One Take”, “GOAT”:

    • Each achieved Platinum certification in the United States.

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   Album Certifications

  • “True 2 Myself”:

    • Certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA in February 2023.

  • “Destined 2 Win”:

    • Certified Platinum by the RIAA in January 2023.

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   Industry Recognitions

  • Billboard 21 Under 21 (2020):

    • Recognized as one of the top young artists in the music industry.

  • XXL Freshman Class (2020):

    • Featured as part of XXL’s annual Freshman Class, highlighting emerging hip-hop talent.

Fun Facts :

• Real Name: His birth name is Tione Jayden Merritt.

• Early Rap Start: He began rapping at the age of 13 while living in the Bronx.

• Juvenile Detention: Before his music career took off, he spent some time in juvenile detention, which inspired much of his music’s emotional depth.

• SoundCloud Fame: Lil Tjay first gained attention by uploading songs to SoundCloud, a platform known for breaking new artists.

• Hit Song Inspiration: His hit song “Calling My Phone” was inspired by personal relationship struggles.

• Shooting Survival: In 2022, Lil Tjay survived a serious shooting incident, which profoundly affected him and his music.

• Angel Number Album: His third album 222 references the angel number 222, symbolizing balance and harmony, and also the time he was airlifted to the hospital after being shot.

• Collaborations: He has collaborated with big names like Polo G, Juice WRLD, and Lil Durk.

• Fashion Forward: Lil Tjay is known for his fashion sense and often wears luxury streetwear brands.

• Young Success: By his early 20s, he had already achieved multi-platinum certifications and major award nominations.