Lil Tjay Addresses Shooting, Performs From Hospital Bed in New ‘Beat the Odds’ Video
Lil Tjay has shared a new song and music video, “Beat the Odds,” which features footage recorded in the hospital while the rapper was recovering from multiple gunshot wounds.
“Beat the Odds” boasts a solemn but hopeful mood, while also cut through with a fair amount of resilience and defiance as Tjay raps, “Melodic blue stories, I’m feeling like Baby Keem/I do my own thing, fuck it, I took seven shots, no shame/Back to wall, I’m still gonna blow you down, I ain’t no stain.” The song’s video primarily takes place in the hospital and shows Tjay getting his health back while also meeting with friends and family, and even setting up a make-shift recording studio in his room.
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“Beat the Odds” arrives two days after Lil Tjay updated fans on his health for the time since he was shot during an attempted robbery in June.
In a short video uploaded on Instagram — his first social media post in 11 weeks — the rapper, born Tione Jayden Merritt, revealed he was shot seven times during the incident in Edgewater, New Jersey, on June 22nd. In the clip, Lil Tjay is seen wearing a neck brace.
“Seven shots, it was tough, y’know?,” he told his fans. “Most people don’t survive it, but I’m here. Here for a reason.”
He continued, “New music coming soon. We’re gonna come back stronger than ever.”
Lil Tjay reportedly underwent surgery and was briefly listed in critical condition following the botched robbery where the rapper and one of his friends were shot. Mohamed Konate, a 27-year-old man, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, armed robbery, and weapons offenses.
“I just wanna say thanks for the love, thanks for the support,” Lil Tjay added. “I’ve been at the DMs, the comments, and everything else and I feel love.”
This story was updated at 9:22 a.m. ET with Lil Tjay’s new song “Beat the Odds.”
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