Image Credit - Wisdom Imbibe

Multi-platinum rapper Lil Tjay underwent emergency surgery on June 22 following a shooting in northeastern New Jersey.

Image Credit - Wisdom Imbibe

According to TMZ, the 21-year-old musician was out of surgery as of 1 p.m. EST and his condition was improving 

Image Credit - Wisdom Imbibe

The shooting of Lil Tjay is part of a grim uptick in violence that has affected rappers around the country in the last few years 

Image Credit - Wisdom Imbibe

Including artists like Drakeo the Ruler, Young Dolph, and Pop Smoke, who was a close friend and collaborator of Tjay’s. 

Image Credit - Wisdom Imbibe

After Pop’s 2020 murder, Tjay released a somber tribute song, “Forever Pop,” and expressed outrage over social media. 

Image Credit - Wisdom Imbibe

the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office put out a statement that two 22-year-olds were shot at a large shopping center near the Hudson River.

Image Credit - Wisdom Imbibe

Celebrities who have shown support for Lil Tjay following the shooting include his collaborators French Montana, The Kid Laroi, & Fivio Foreign 

Image Credit - Wisdom Imbibe

In 2020, Tjay said that 6ix9ine’s team offered to pay him to participate in a fake social media feud between the two New York rappers. 

Image Credit - Wisdom Imbibe

Tjay began taking music seriously after being released from jail in 2017, and achieved mainstream success in 2018 

Image Credit - Wisdom Imbibe

On his best songs, like “Losses” and “F.N.,” Tjay lets his emotions and vulnerability slip through in his autotuned vocals