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Lil Tjay (Rapper) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth30 April 2001

Age21 Years

BirthplaceSouth Bronx, New York City, U. S.

ProfessionRapper, Singer, Songwriter

NationalityAmerican

Marital statusUnmarried

FamilyMother (raised him), two younger siblings

Lil Tjay (Rapper) Biography

Tione Jayden Merritt, known professionally as Lil Tjay, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from the South Bronx. Rising from releases on SoundCl

Early life and background

Tione Jayden Merritt was born on April 30, 2001, and raised in the South Bronx neighborhood of New York City. He grew up in a Ghanaian household and was raised primarily by his mother alongside two younger siblings. As a child and teenager he faced disciplinary issues and legal trouble; at age 15 he was arrested in connection with a robbery and spent time in a youth detention center. He has said that those years shaped his perspective and motivated him to write music.

Career

Lil Tjay began putting music online in 2016, using platforms that helped emerging artists reach new listeners. While still a teenager he released the track "Resume," which became his breakout single. He followed that initial success with a series of singles and EPs, building momentum through steady output and live showcases.

In 2018 he won first place in the Coast 2 Coast LIVE artist showcase and released the single "Brothers." That year he also issued an EP titled No Comparison and continued to release standalone songs including "Ride for You" and "Long Time." His early work attracted industry attention and led to a deal with Columbia Records.

In 2019 Lil Tjay released his debut studio album True 2 Myself, which reached the top five on the US Billboard 200. He also issued the EP F.N the same year. During this period he featured on notable tracks by peers, including a guest spot on Polo G's "Pop Out," and collaborated with artists such as French Montana and Pop Smoke.

His second studio album, Destined 2 Win, arrived in April 2021 and included singles like "Calling My Phone," "Headshot," and "Losses." Singles from 2020 and 2021 including "20/20" and "Calling My Phone" registered on the Billboard Hot 100, with "Calling My Phone" reaching the top three.

Lil Tjay has continued to release music and projects into 2022, including the extended play Strictly4MyFans. His catalogue spans hip-hop, trap, R&B, and drill, reflecting melodic and street-oriented influences.

Public profile

Physically, he is approximately 170 cm tall (about 5 feet 7 inches), with brown eyes and black hair. He has a forearm tattoo bearing the name "Maivey" alongside a rose design. He has described musical influences that include Drake, Meek Mill, and Usher, and has said that soccer was an important pastime in his youth.

Onstage he has performed on tours and at major festivals, including Rolling Loud in Miami and events in Los Angeles. His live appearances in 2019 included performances alongside fellow touring artists such as Lil Mosey.

Legal incidents and 2022 shooting

In December 2020 he was arrested in Brooklyn on charges related to possession of weapons and marijuana following a traffic stop. In June 2022 he was shot multiple times during an attempted robbery at The Promenade in Edgewater, New Jersey. He and others who were struck were taken to hospital, and local law enforcement later arrested a suspect and filed multiple counts connected to the incident.

Personal life

Lil Tjay is unmarried. Media reports have linked him in rumored relationships with public figures, though such items are unconfirmed in the public record provided here. He is often pictured smoking cigarettes and cigars.

Latest updates

Through 2022 he maintained an active release schedule with collaborations and guest appearances on songs by other artists. He has continued to issue music, perform live, and recover from the injuries sustained in the 2022 shooting.

Career achievements and style

Lil Tjay rose from SoundCloud releases to major-label success within a few years. His melodic delivery and combination of singing and rapping have earned him chart success on the Billboard Hot 100 and placements on high-profile recordings. He has released multiple extended plays and two studio albums to date, with a string of singles and features that raised his profile across the US hip-hop scene.
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Recent Work

Destined 2 Win

Studio album released April 2, 2021, featuring singles such as "Calling My Phone," "Headshot," and "Losses."

2021
Strictly4MyFans

Extended play released in 2022.

2022
True 2 Myself

Debut studio album released in 2019 that peaked at number five on the US Billboard 200.

2019
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Career Highlights

  1. Broke out with the single "Resume" after releasing music on SoundCloud.
  2. Signed with Columbia Records and released the album True 2 Myself (2019).
  3. Reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Calling My Phone."
  4. Survived a life-threatening shooting in June 2022 that led to hospitalization.
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Lil Tjay (Rapper) born?

30 April 2001

What is Lil Tjay (Rapper) known for?

Rapper, Singer, Songwriter

What is Lil Tjay (Rapper)’s marital status?

Unmarried