Lil Zay Osama

Last updated

Lil Zay Osama
Birth nameIsaiah Jaylaun Dukes
Born (1997-06-03) June 3, 1997 (age 27)
Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
OccupationRapper
Years active2011–present
Labels Warner
Website lilzayosamaofficial.com

Isaiah Jaylaun Dukes (born June 3, 1997), known professionally as Lil Zay Osama, is an American rapper. His music, which he describes as "pain music", reflects his violent upbringing on the South Side of Chicago and explores subjects including grief, trauma and survival. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life

Isaiah Dukes was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He lived at the Robert Taylor Homes in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side until he was 10. [3] [4] His mother was the primary caretaker for Dukes and his five siblings; although his parents did not formally separate until he was nine, his father was in and out of jail and rarely present. [5]

Career

Inspired by his older brother, Dukes began rapping when he was 8 and recording at 10. At 12, simultaneous to the release of his first tracks and videos, he joined a gang. [5] "Part of an emerging wave of MCs changing Chicago rap", he was initially associated with Chicago's drill scene. [4] He used the name Lil Zay until 2010, when, as his gang-related activity ramped up, he was christened on the street as Lil Zay Osama. [6] [7]

In 2015 Dukes was shot in the chest, and while in the hospital, he was arrested on gun charges. At 16, he was sentenced to five years in a juvenile detention center. Committed to keeping away from the streets when he was freed, he focused on music for the duration of his incarceration, writing rap as well as songs influenced by pop and R&B. [5] [7]

Osama's sentence was reduced to three years, and he was released in 2017. At 19, he returned to the South Side with a "new style, a new perspective, and a new level of determination." [8] In 2018, he put 8 new songs on SoundCloud, and in 2019, he released Hood Bible, a collection of 14 songs that came out one by one. [9] Hood Bible included his first hit, "Changed Up". The video for "Changed Up" received more than 20 million views on YouTube over the course of several months. Pitchfork attributed Osama's success to "relatable struggles in his lyrics" and "a realness that resonated". [10]

In August 2019, Osama signed with Warner Records. [11] Among other songs, he has since released "Like a Pimp", a collaboration with Stunna 4 Vegas, [12] "Rumors", "Ride 4 Me" featuring Jackboy and "61st to 64th". [13] His mixtape, Trench Baby, was released on February 19, 2021. [14]

His fourth mixtape, Trench Baby 2, was released on November 12, 2021. The mixtape contained songs featuring EST Gee, Mook6340, Benny The Butcher, Luh Kel, and Sean Kingston.

Discography

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected details
TitleDetails
Turn Up
Hood Bible
  • Released: October 18, 2019
  • Label: Warner
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Trench Baby
  • Released: February 19, 2021
  • Label: Warner
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Trench Baby 2
  • Released: November 12, 2021
  • Label: Warner
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Trench Baby 3
  • Released: August 12, 2022
  • Label: Warner
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
4 The Streets
  • Released: August 13, 2023
  • Label: Warner
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Hood Bible 2
  • Released: December 15, 2023
  • Label: Warner
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Extended plays

List of EPs, with selected details
TitleEP details
The Streets Calling My Name

Charted and certified singles

TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
US
Bub.
[16] 		US R&B/HH
[17]
"Changed Up"2019——
"Fuck My Cousin, Pt. II"
(with Lil Durk)		20221044Trench Baby 3

Related Research Articles

Tavares Lamont Taylor, known professionally as Lil Reese, is an American rapper. Hailing from Chicago's drill scene in the early 2010s, he is known for his collaborations with Chief Keef, Fredo Santana, and Lil Durk. In 2012, Taylor was featured on Chief Keef's single "I Don't Like", which peaked at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100, peaked at number 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and peaked at number 15 on the Hot Rap Songs chart. His debut mixtape, ‘Don't Like’ was released later that year. Since the first mixtape release, Taylor has gone on to release six mixtapes in total, including the 2013 ‘Supa Savage’ mixtape, as well as three EPs, including the 2017 collaborative project ‘Supa Vultures’ EP with Lil Durk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fredo Santana</span> American rapper (1990–2018)

Derrick Antonio Coleman, known professionally as Fredo Santana, was an American rapper. The older cousin of rapper Chief Keef, Santana began recording music in 2011, releasing a series of mixtapes throughout 2012 and 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah Rashad</span> American rapper (born 1991)

Isaiah Rashad Joel McClain is an American rapper. He first gained recognition following his performances on the 2012 Smoker's Club Tour alongside rappers Juicy J, Joey Badass and Smoke DZA. He is a founding member of the Chattanooga, Tennessee-based hip hop collective The House, which he formed with rappers YGTUT, Michael Da Vinci (MikeyD), Chris P, and Brian Brown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil Bibby</span> American rapper (born 1994)

Brandon George Dickinson, better known by his stage name Lil Bibby, is an American rapper and record executive. Beginning his career in 2011, Bibby released his debut mixtape, Free Crack in 2013. It was followed by two sequels—Free Crack 2 (2014) and Free Crack 3 (2015)—until he signed with Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Records, an imprint of RCA Records; however, he released no studio albums under the label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G Herbo</span> American rapper (born 1995)

Herbert Randall Wright III, better known by his stage name G Herbo, is an American rapper. He signed with the Chicago-based record label Machine Entertainment Group in 2011, at the age of 16. His debut mixtape, Welcome to Fazoland (2014), was released by the label, along with its follow-ups Pistol P Project (2014), Ballin Like I'm Kobe (2015), and Strictly 4 My Fans (2016). His debut studio album, Humble Beast (2017), was released by Cinematic Music Group and met with critical acclaim. He signed onto a triple-joint venture with Epic Records to release his collaborative album and major label debut, Swervo (2018) with record producer Southside; its sequel, Still Swervin (2019), served as Wright's second album. His third album, PTSD (2020), peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200, along with his fourth and fifth albums, 25 (2021) and Survivor's Remorse (2022); 25 was his first release with Republic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil Durk</span> American rapper (born 1992)

Durk Devontay Banks, known professionally as Lil Durk, is an American rapper. Regarded as a pioneering artist in the Chicago-based hip hop subgenre drill music, he has been noted as one of the subgenre's most commericially successful rappers. He initially garnered local success with the release of his Signed to the Streets mixtape series (2013–2014), which led to him to sign with Def Jam Recordings. The label released his debut studio album, Remember My Name (2015), and its follow-up, Lil Durk 2X (2016), to moderate commercial reception before parting ways with the rapper in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Beyoncé</span> 2015 single by Lil Durk featuring Dej Loaf

"My Beyoncé" is a song by American rapper Lil Durk featuring fellow American rapper Dej Loaf, released on November 9, 2015, as a single. It appears on Durk's mixtape 300 Days, 300 Nights (2015) and his second studio album Lil Durk 2X (2016). The song was produced by C-Sick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tee Grizzley</span> American rapper (born 1994)

Terry Sanchez Wallace Jr., known professionally as Tee Grizzley, is an American rapper. He first began posting music online following a two year prison sentence, he released the song "First Day Out" in 2017. It quickly gained viral status—earning two million views on YouTube in under three weeks—due to a social media challenge enacted by basketball player LeBron James, after which the song peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100 and led him to sign with 300 Entertainment. Its release preceded his debut mixtape My Moment (2017), and was followed by the single "From the D to the A", which received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His collaborative mixtape with Lil Durk, Bloodas (2018), was followed by his debut studio album, Activated (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YoungBoy Never Broke Again</span> American rapper (born 1999)

Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, known professionally as YoungBoy Never Broke Again or NBA YoungBoy, is an American rapper. From 2015 to 2017, he released eight independent mixtapes and garnered a regional following for his work. He signed with Atlantic Records and Artist Partner Group in the latter year to release the singles "Untouchable" and "No Smoke", both of which marked his first entries on the Billboard Hot 100. Released in January of the following year, his single "Outside Today" became his first to peak within the top 40 of the chart, and received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It served as both his mainstream breakthrough and the lead single for his debut studio album, Until Death Call My Name (2018), which peaked at number seven on the US Billboard 200 despite mixed critical reception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil Baby</span> American rapper (born 1994)

Dominique Armani Jones, known professionally as Lil Baby, is an American rapper. He rose to prominence following the release of his 2017 mixtapes Harder than Hard and Too Hard — the former of which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100 entry with its lead single, "My Dawg." He signed with Quality Control Music, an imprint of Motown and Capitol Records to release his debut studio album Harder Than Ever (2018), which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was supported by the Billboard Hot 100-top ten single "Yes Indeed". Later that year, he released the collaborative mixtape Drip Harder with fellow Georgia-based rapper Gunna, and his solo mixtape Street Gossip; the former spawned his second top-ten single "Drip Too Hard", while the latter peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quando Rondo</span> American rapper

Tyquian Terrel Bowman better known by his stage name Quando Rondo, is an American rapper and singer. He signed with YoungBoy Never Broke Again's namesake record label, an imprint of Atlantic Records shortly after the release of his 2018 single, "I Remember". The song received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and preceded his debut studio album, QPac (2020), which entered the Billboard 200 and contained his second platinum-certified song, "ABG". His second album, Recovery (2023), entered the chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calboy</span> American rapper (born 1999)

Calvin Lashon Woods, better known by his stage name Calboy, is an American rapper from Calumet City, Illinois. He is best known for his 2018 single "Envy Me", which received quintuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. Its success led him to sign with Polo Grounds Music, an imprint of RCA Records, who issued the song as lead single for his debut extended play (EP), Wildboy (2019). The EP peaked at number 30 on the Billboard 200, while his second, Love Live the Kings (2020), lukewarmly entered the chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polo G</span> American rapper

Taurus Tremani Bartlett, known professionally as Polo G, is an American rapper. He rose to prominence with his singles "Finer Things" and "Pop Out". His debut album Die a Legend (2019) peaked at number six on the US Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the RIAA, a feat matched by his two subsequent albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King Von</span> American rapper (1994–2020)

Dayvon Daquan Bennett, known professionally as King Von, was an American rapper and gangster from Chicago, Illinois, who was affiliated with the Black Disciples gang. He was considered a preeminent figure in the drill genre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pooh Shiesty</span> American rapper from Tennessee (born 1999)

Lontrell Donell Williams, Jr., better known by his stage name Pooh Shiesty, is an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. He signed with Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, an imprint of Atlantic Records in 2020, he rose to prominence following his collaborations with the label's founder and cohorts. That same year, his single "Back in Blood" peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It preceded the release of his debut commercial mixtape Shiesty Season (2021), which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. His stage name was given by his late brother, who adapted his childhood nickname "Mr. Pooh" with the vernacular slang term "shiesty"—referential of his lifestyle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stunna Gambino</span> American rapper (born 2001)

Isaias Elijah Garcia, known professionally as Stunna Gambino, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter from Washington Heights, New York. He is best known for his guest appearance alongside Polo G on the Kid Laroi's 2021 single "Not Sober," which peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. He released his debut studio album, Vultures Don't Kry, on August 18, 2022. He has been described as a "SoundCloud rapper," as he built his following releasing music on the platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speaker Knockerz</span> American rapper and producer (1994–2014)

Derek McAllister Jr., known professionally as Speaker Knockerz, was an American rapper and record producer from Columbia, South Carolina. He was known for his independent tracks which would gain traction on the video-sharing platform YouTube. Some of his biggest tracks include "Dap You Up" and "Lonely". He was described by XXL as a frontrunner in the melodically-driven state of modern rap and has been cited as an influence by numerous rappers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fuck My Cousin</span> 2022 single by Lil Zay Osama

"Fuck My Cousin" is a song by American rapper Lil Zay Osama, released on March 14, 2022 as the lead single from his mixtape Trench Baby 3 (2022). It was produced by Fatman Beatzz and Vito. An official remix of the song titled "Fuck My Cousin, Pt. II" was released on July 29, 2022 and features American rapper Lil Durk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DD Osama</span> American rapper (born 2006)

David DeShaun Reyes, known professionally as DD Osama, is an American rapper based in New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob49</span> American rapper

Robert Coleman Thomas, known professionally as Rob49, is an American rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is best known for his guest appearance alongside 21 Savage on Travis Scott's 2023 song "Topia Twins", which peaked within the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100.

References

  1. ↑ Holmes, Charles (April 19, 2019). "Song You Need to Know: Lil Zay Osama, 'Changed Up'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  2. ↑ Simpson, Paul. "Lil Zay Osama | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Rising Chicago Rappers You Need to Know". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Galil, Leor (March 7, 2019). "Lil Zay Osama is part of an emerging wave of MCs changing Chicago rap". The Chicago Reader. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 DJ Smallz Eyes 2 (June 21, 2020). "Lil Zay Osama Parents Split by Age 9 and How It Affected Him, Father in State Prison 3 Years". www.youtube.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ Barshad, Amos (November 23, 2020). "Why Are So Many New Rappers Named After Osama Bin Laden?". GQ. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "EXCLUSIVE: Lil Zay Osama Details Getting Shot in the Chest at 15, Sentenced to Juvenile Life". www.vladtv.com. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  8. ↑ Seabrook, Robby (April 24, 2019). "The Break Presents: Lil Zay Osama - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Lil Zay Osama". SoundCloud. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  10. ↑ Pierre, Alphonse (April 15, 2019). "The Ones: Lil Zay Osama's "2 Years"". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Lil Zay Osama Signs With Warner Records, Releases 'Talk to Me Crazy' Video: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  12. ↑ Grant, Shawn (November 17, 2020). "Lil Zay Osama and Stunna 4 Vegas Link for 'Like A Pimp' Video". The Source. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Lil Zay Osama Addresses "Rumors" In New Video". AllHipHop.com. December 12, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Interview with Lil Zay Osama". BRINGIN' IT BACKWARDS. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Spotify – Lil Zay Osama – The Streets Calling My Name". August 30, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Lil Durk Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Lil Durk Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  18. 1 2 "Gold & Platinum: Lil Zay Osama". RIAA. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.