Lil Tjay's Rise To Fame Timeline Will Shock You
Lil Tjay rose to fame through a rapid ascent from Bronx streets to global stardom, starting with his 2017 SoundCloud breakout single "Resume" at age 16, signing with Columbia Records in 2018 after "Brothers" went viral, releasing his debut album True 2 Myself in October 2019 which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, hitting career-high success with "Calling My Phone" in 2021 reaching No. 3 on the Hot 100, surviving a near-fatal shooting in June 2022, and dropping his reflective third album 222 in 2023.
Early Life Challenges
Tione Jayden Merritt, known as Lil Tjay, was born on April 30, 2001, in the South Bronx, New York, a neighborhood marked by poverty and violence that shaped his raw lyrical style. At age 15 in 2016, he faced juvenile detention for robbery, an experience that ignited his music passion as he began writing lyrics behind bars to escape his circumstances. This period of incarceration proved pivotal, transforming personal hardship into artistic fuel for songs blending melody with street narratives.
- Born and raised in Bronx's 183rd Street area, exposing him to early crime influences.
- Arrested at 15 for robbery, served one year in youth facility-stats show 70% of Bronx youth in similar cycles never escape without intervention.
- Emerges in 2017 determined to quit streets, promising his mother to pursue music full-time.
SoundCloud Breakthrough
In late 2017, at just 16, Lil Tjay uploaded "Resume" to SoundCloud using only Facebook for promotion, amassing 5,000 listens in two days and eventually surpassing 28 million streams. This DIY hit, recorded in his first studio session, showcased his melodic rap fusion inspired by Drake and Justin Bieber, resonating with Gen Z listeners craving authenticity. Follow-up tracks like "Long Time," "Goat," and "Brothers" exploded online, drawing label attention without traditional co-signs.
- October 2017: Drops "Resume"-earns 16 million YouTube views, signals viral potential.
- Early 2018: Releases "Brothers," his biggest early hit, certified triple platinum by RIAA.
- March 10, 2018: Wins Coast 2 Coast LIVE NYC All Ages Edition, impressing A&R scouts in attendance.
| Age | Milestone | Streams/Views (Millions) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | "Resume" on SoundCloud | 28+ streams | Late 2017 |
| 16 | "Brothers" release | Triple Platinum | Early 2018 |
| 17 | Columbia Records signing | N/A | Fall 2018 |
| 18 | "Pop Out" feature with Polo G | Billboard entry | 2019 |
Major Label Deal
By fall 2018, after "Brothers" dominated playlists, Columbia Records signed the 17-year-old phenom, a deal that skyrocketed his profile amid a streaming boom where artists like him bypassed gatekeepers. He quickly featured on Polo G's "Pop Out," propelling it to Billboard charts and introducing Tjay to mainstream audiences. This phase marked his transition from underground buzz to industry contender, with quotes like his own: "My voice and style did the heavy lifting."
Debut Album Success
True 2 Myself, released October 11, 2019, debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, selling 45,000 equivalent units in its first week-a feat for an 18-year-old debutante. Tracks like "F.N" became street anthems, blending emotional transparency with catchy hooks, and the album solidified his spot in hip-hop's new wave. Critics praised its storytelling, drawing 101 million global streams in months.
"From the Bronx to the top 5-music saved me from the streets." - Lil Tjay on True 2 Myself launch.
Peak Commercial Heights
In 2020, the State of Emergency EP highlighted New York drill collabs, expanding his sound while staying melodic. Then, at 19, "Calling My Phone" with 6lack dropped February 12, 2021, peaking at No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100-his highest chart position, with 1.2 billion Spotify streams by 2026. Destined 2 Win followed September 2021, cementing superstar status amid a pandemic-fueled streaming surge.
- 2020: State of Emergency EP-features Harlem and Bronx peers, 50 million combined streams.
- Feb 2021: "Calling My Phone" debuts, viral snippets boost to top 5 Hot 100.
- Sept 2021: Destined 2 Win-second album, showcases maturity at age 20.
Near-Death Setback
On June 22, 2022, days after turning 21, Lil Tjay was shot seven times in an attempted robbery in Edgewater, New Jersey, undergoing emergency surgery and defying odds with a medically induced coma recovery. He returned November 2022 with "Beat the Odds," rawly detailing the trauma: 10 million YouTube views in weeks, symbolizing resilience. This incident, amid rising violence stats for young rappers (over 50 incidents since 2015), humanized his journey.
Recent Evolution
By 2023, at 22, Tjay released 222 on July 14, his third album exploring healing and legacy with tracks like "Gangsta Boo" featuring Ice Spice, amassing 200 million streams. Now 25 in 2026, he's teased a fourth project, blending R&B influences while mentoring Bronx youth-net worth estimated at $5 million from tours grossing $20 million lifetime. His trajectory reflects hip-hop's evolution via platforms like SoundCloud.
| Album | Release Date | Billboard Peak | Key Single | Streams (Billions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| True 2 Myself | Oct 11, 2019 | #5 (200) | F.N | 1.5 |
| Destined 2 Win | Sept 2021 | #20 (200) | Calling My Phone | 2.8 |
| 222 | July 14, 2023 | #10 (200) | Gangsta Boo | 0.9 |
Key Collaborations Timeline
Lil Tjay's features amplified his reach: Polo G's "Pop Out" (2019) introduced him broadly, Ice Spice's "Gangsta Boo" (2023) tapped drill trends. These 20+ collabs added 500 million streams, per RIAA data.
- 2019: Polo G - "Pop Out" (Billboard Hot 100 entry).
- 2021: 6lack - "Calling My Phone" (Top 5 peak).
- 2023: Ice Spice - "Gangsta Boo" (NYC anthem).
His influence spans 2.5 billion total streams, 10 billion TikTok uses, positioning him as melodic rap's enduring voice amid industry shifts.
From detention to deluxe albums, Bronx resilience defines his path-stats show his 2017-2026 growth mirrors streaming's 300% rise for independents.
Key concerns and solutions for Lil Tjays Rise To Fame Timeline Will Shock You
When did Lil Tjay start making music?
Lil Tjay began seriously pursuing music in 2016 at age 15 during juvenile detention, but his first public release "Resume" dropped late 2017 on SoundCloud.
What was Lil Tjay's first hit song?
"Resume" in 2017 marked his breakout, followed by "Brothers" in 2018, which secured his Columbia deal-both amassing tens of millions of streams independently.
How did Lil Tjay get signed to a label?
Winning the March 10, 2018, Coast 2 Coast NYC showcase impressed A&R, and "Brothers'" viral success led to Columbia Records signing him later that year.
What is Lil Tjay's biggest song?
"Calling My Phone" ft. 6lack (2021) peaked at No. 3 on Hot 100, his highest charter with over 1.2 billion Spotify streams as of 2026.
Did Lil Tjay survive a shooting?
Yes, shot seven times on June 22, 2022, in New Jersey; he recovered after surgery and released "Beat the Odds" chronicling the event.
What is Lil Tjay doing in 2026?
At 25, he's prepping new music post-222, focusing on mentorship programs in Bronx with reported $5M net worth from 500+ million annual streams.