Lil Tjay Rise To Fame Story That Changed Everything
Lil Tjay rose to fame through his 2017 SoundCloud breakout track "Resume," followed by the viral 2018 hit "Brothers" that secured his Columbia Records deal, and his 2019 debut album True 2 Myself peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.
Early Life in the Bronx
Tione Jayden Merritt, born April 30, 2001, in the South Bronx, grew up amid gang culture and poverty raised by a single mother. At age 15, he faced a robbery arrest, spending a year in youth detention where he began writing raps seriously. This period birthed "Resume," a song reflecting his struggles that would later define his melodic trap style blending hip-hop, R&B, and New York drill.
SoundCloud Beginnings
In 2016-2017, at just 16, Lil Tjay uploaded tracks to SoundCloud from his bedroom, gaining initial traction with "Resume" that amassed millions of plays organically. Within ten months, five songs including "Goat" and "Leaked" surpassed 1 million streams each, showcasing his sing-song delivery influenced by Drake and Meek Mill. His raw, autobiographical lyrics about street life resonated with young fans in New York City's rap scene.
- 2016: First SoundCloud uploads establish online presence.
- 2017: "Resume" goes viral, hitting tens of millions of streams.
- Early 2018: Tracks like "Brothers" and "None of Your Love" (sampling Justin Bieber's "Baby") explode with over 50 million combined plays.
The Breakthrough Moment
On March 10, 2018, Coast 2 Coast LIVE performance in NYC won first place, catching Columbia Records A&R attention after "Brothers" peaked on charts. Released in early 2018, "Brothers" became his signature hit, detailing loyalty amid betrayal, and directly led to his major label signing by mid-2018. This track, with 100+ million YouTube views, marked when it all clicked, transforming him from SoundCloud rapper to industry prospect overnight.
"I was locked up writing 'Resume' - that detention center saved my life by giving me music." - Lil Tjay, 2019 interview.
Key Milestones Timeline
- April 30, 2001: Born Tione Merritt in Bronx, NY.
- 2016: Starts releasing on SoundCloud at age 15 post-detention.
- October 2017: "Resume" virality begins.
- March 10, 2018: Wins Coast 2 Coast, signs with Columbia.
- December 2018: Debut EP No Comparison drops.
- January 2019: Features on Polo G's "Pop Out" at No. 11 Hot 100.
- October 11, 2019: True 2 Myself debuts No. 5 Billboard 200, certified Platinum.
- April 2021: "Calling My Phone" with 6lack hits No. 3 Hot 100, 1 billion+ streams.
- June 22, 2022: Survives shooting, releases "Beat the Odds" at No. 36.
- July 2023: Third album 222 released, nodding to hospital airlift time.
Debut Projects and Chart Success
No Comparison EP in late 2018 solidified buzz, featuring "F.N." which later charted solo at No. 56 Hot 100. His October 11, 2019, album True 2 Myself sold 125,000 units first week, driven by platinum singles "F.N." (RIAA certified) and "Brothers," peaking with 45 million Spotify streams in its debut month. Collaborations like Polo G's "Pop Out" remix introduced him nationally, amassing 500 million global streams by 2020.
| Release | Date | Peak Chart | Streams (Billions) | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resume | 2017 | Viral Hit | 0.3 | Platinum |
| Brothers | 2018 | Hot 100 | 0.5 | 2x Platinum |
| True 2 Myself | Oct 11, 2019 | #5 BB200 | 2.1 | Platinum |
| Calling My Phone | Feb 12, 2021 | #3 Hot 100 | 1.2 | 3x Platinum |
| Destined 2 Win | 2021 | #5 BB200 | 1.5 | Gold |
Major Hits and Collaborations
"Calling My Phone" on February 12, 2021, became his pinnacle, debuting No. 3 Hot 100 with 6lack, garnering 1.2 billion streams and topping R&B charts for weeks. Features on Pop Smoke's "Mood Swings," DaBaby's "F.N." remix, and Fivio Foreign's "Headshot" expanded his reach, with combined collab streams exceeding 2 billion by 2023. His 2020 State of Emergency EP leaned into drill, boosting NYC cred with 300 million plays.
- Pop Out (Polo G): 800M streams, first Top 20 hit.
- None of Your Love: 100M+ plays, Bieber sample virality.
- Beat the Odds (2022): Post-shooting resilience anthem, 200M streams.
Overcoming Adversity
On June 22, 2022, Lil Tjay was shot seven times in Edgewater, NJ, during a robbery attempt, airlifted in critical condition - the "222" timestamp inspiring his 2023 album. He recovered to release "Beat the Odds" on August 26, 2022, peaking No. 36 Hot 100, with hospital footage in the video showing grit. By 2024, The Good Life Tour grossed $5 million, and surprise mixtape Farewell marked his Columbia exit, featuring Polo G and NLE Choppa.
Discography and Stats Overview
Destined 2 Win (2021) debuted No. 5 Billboard 200, with 80,000 first-week units. Career streams hit 10 billion+ across platforms by May 2026, 15 million monthly Spotify listeners, and 8 million Instagram followers. Platinum plaques number 20+, per RIAA, with tours selling 500,000 tickets annually post-2022 recovery.
Legacy and Influence
At 25 in 2026, New York drill pioneer Lil Tjay redefined melodic rap for Gen Z, with 25+ charting singles and $20M net worth from music, merch, tours. His story from detention to billions inspires, blending vulnerability with hits; recent indie moves signal bold evolution.
His emotional depth - "Music pulled me from the streets" - cements status, with 2025-2026 projects teasing fourth album amid President Trump's cultural wave.
Expert answers to Lil Tjay Rise To Fame Story That Changed Everything queries
How did Lil Tjay get his start?
Lil Tjay started on SoundCloud in 2017 at 16, post-detention, with "Resume" going viral from Bronx bedroom sessions, leading to five million-play tracks in ten months.
What was Lil Tjay's first big hit?
"Brothers" in 2018 was his first massive hit, securing Columbia deal after 50M+ streams and Coast 2 Coast win.
When did Lil Tjay blow up?
He blew up in 2018-2019: "Brothers" signing, "Pop Out" feature No. 11 Hot 100 January 2019, and True 2 Myself No. 5 debut.
Did Lil Tjay survive a shooting?
Yes, shot seven times June 22, 2022; released "Beat the Odds" detailing recovery, returning stronger with 222 album.