Infographic showing Lil Zay Osama’s quick facts: real name Isaiah Jaylaun Dukes, from South Side Chicago (Bronzeville), breakout hit “Changed Up” (2019), debut tape Hood Bible (2019), and his quote “I wasn’t just rapping, I was surviving with it.”

Who Is Lil Zay Osama? Real Name, Early Life, Gang Ties & Rise from Chicago’s South Side

✅ Some Verified Facts about Lil Zay Osama in FAQ style

Who is Lil Zay Osama and how did he start rapping? (Pre-2015)

A vertical timeline graphic about Lil Zay Osama’s early life, showing his birth in Chicago in 1997, childhood in Robert Taylor Homes, being raised by a single mother, starting rap at age 8 inspired by Chief Keef and G Herbo, recording tracks at 10 as “Lil Zay,” and featuring a quote ribbon saying “I wasn’t just rapping, I was surviving with it.”
Early Life and Background of Lil Zay Osama (1997–2015)

Real Name and Birth:

  • His real name is Isaiah Jaylaun Dukes.
  • He was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 3th 1997 and raised on the city’s South Side.1

Hometown and Upbringing:

  • Growing up in Bronzeville’s Robert Taylor Homes exposed him to violence and hardship.2
  • Growing up surrounded by poverty and crime had a major impact on his life and music.
  • That background inspired his “pain music” which is focused on loss, trauma and survival.

Family Background:

  • Lil’s father is Isaiah Dukes but it was his mother who raised him and his five siblings. Although his parents didn’t officially separate until he was nine & his father was often in jail and rarely around.
  • That absence left a mark on him and shows up in the emotions behind his lyrics.

Impact of Childhood on His Music:

  • Lil Zay’s lyrics often explain the pain he lived through betrayal, going to jail, losing loved ones and being a father.3
  • Songs like “Survivor’s Remorse” highlight guilt over making it out when others didn’t.
  • He’s shared that music helped him survive not just to express himself.

Early Introduction to Rap:

  • Lil Zay Osama started writing rap lyrics at age 8. He looked up to Chicago artists like Chief Keef and G Herbo. Chief Keef influenced him with his raw drill sound while G Herbo stood out for his real-life street stories. Outside Chicago, Zay was also inspired by Lil Wayne’s creative wordplay and Meek Mill’s pain-filled storytelling.4

Started Recording Young:

  • By the time he turned 10, Lil Zay had started recording his own music. His early tracks were shared with friends and people in his neighborhood.

Gang Involvement:

  • At just 12 years old, Lil Zay Osama joined a gang something many kids in Chicago’s South Side face.5
  • This exposed him early to violence and trauma which shaped the stories in his lyrics.
  • He started off performing under the name “Lil Zay.”
  • The streets later added “Osama” to his name reflecting his fearless image. That name stuck and came to represent his realness and survival through tough environments.

Early Online Success:

  • Lil Zay Osama started gaining attention by uploading songs to YouTube and SoundCloud.
  • His early videos were homemade and gritty capturing real-life scenes from the South Side of Chicago.

“I wasn’t just rapping, I was surviving with it. Every line I spit was my real life.”

  • These raw visuals helped him stand out in the city’s underground drill scene and on Reddit hip-hop threads.
  • Fans shared his music across social platforms creating buzz without label support.
  • Tracks like “Changed Up” spread quickly through word-of-mouth and social media.
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What Defined Osama’s Breakout Period? (2018–2019)

Infographic of Lil Zay Osama’s breakout era (2018–2019), showing his release from juvenile detention, viral success of “Changed Up” with 20M+ views, and signing with Warner Records for the Hood Bible mixtape
Lil Zay Osama’s breakout era highlighted with key milestones from 2018–2019

Viral Rise Through “Changed Up”

  • Released from juvenile detention in 2018 and committed to music full-time.
  • Uploaded emotional street anthems to SoundCloud and YouTube.
  • “Changed Up” became a viral hit in 2019 with over 20M+ views.6
  • The raw storytelling and visuals drew attention from national platforms.
  • Signed to Warner Records the same year.
  • Released debut mixtape “Hood Bible ” in October 2019.7

How Did Legal Challenges Affect His Image and Artistry? (2022–2024)

Infographic of Lil Zay Osama showing a cause–effect timeline: 2022 New York arrest with Glock switch, 2024 14-month federal prison sentence, continued music releases “Fresh Out the Fedz” and “Ones I Love,” and fanbase support through TikTok and Reddit, with the caption “Free the guys, fck the fedz, long live the guyz.”
Lil Zay Osama’s journey through legal setbacks (2022–2024) and his resilience in music
  • In September 2022, arrested in New York after police found a Glock switch (machinegun converter) in an Uber.8
  • In April 2024, sentenced to 14 months in federal prison.9
  • Maintained social presence via pre-recorded posts and music drops.
  • Released “Fresh Out the Fedz” and “Ones I Love” upon release addressing incarceration and survival.

What Was the Impact of The Streets Calling My Name EP? (2024)

Infographic for Lil Zay Osama’s EP The Streets Calling My Name (2024), featuring his album cover in the center, key tracks “Ones I Love,” “Letter to the Feds,” and “Long Live Tae,” a note on the low-light documentary visual style, a Reddit quote calling it “therapy music,” and fan engagement from TikTok and YouTube comments.
Lil Zay Osama’s 2024 EP The Streets Calling My Name highlighted with key tracks, visual style, and fan reactions

Background:

  • Released during Zay’s 14-month prison time.

“I feel good to be free. Free the guys, f*ck the fedz, long live the guyz.”10

  • Maintained a strong online presence through teasers and pre-scheduled content.

Fan Reception:

  • Tracks like “Ones I Love,” “Letter to the Feds” and “Long Live Tae” emotionally resonated with fans.
  • Music videos featured low lighting, documentary-style visuals and street realism.
  • YouTube comment sections filled with fan stories on grief, trauma and loyalty.11
  • Widely shared on TikTok in grief edits and lyrical montages.

Cultural Impact:

  • Fans on Reddit and hip-hop forums praised the project as “therapy music”.12
  • Regarded as one of Zay’s most emotionally honest and culturally relevant works.
  • Solidified Zay’s image as a vulnerable storyteller & not just a drill rapper.

What’s Next for Lil Zay Osama (2025 and Beyond)?

A roadmap-style graphic of Lil Zay Osama featuring four milestones: teaser for Trench Baby 4, collaborations with Polo G, Lil Eazzyy, EST Gee, and Kodak Black, exploring acting in street dramas, and expanding his “Lost People” label, with a quote overlay saying “I ain’t never going back… It’s only forward from here.”
Lil Zay Osama’s 2025 and beyond roadmap highlighting music, collaborations, acting ventures, and label expansion
  • Teased upcoming project “Trench Baby 4″.13
  • Instagram Lives previewing darker & reflective unreleased tracks.14

“I ain’t never going back… It’s only forward from here.”

  • Rumored collaborations with Polo G, Lil Eazzyy, EST Gee and Kodak Black.
  • Exploring acting roles based in street dramas.
  • Plans to expand “Lost People” label to uplift Chicago talent.

💰 Lil Zay Osama Net Worth 2025

Infographic of Lil Zay Osama’s estimated 2025 net worth ($116K–$694K), with branching icons representing earnings from Spotify and YouTube streams, live shows and merchandise, plus Warner Records and his Lost People label.
Lil Zay Osama’s 2025 net worth snapshot showing key income streams
  • As of 2025, Lil Zay Osama’s estimated net worth ranges between $ 116K – $ 694K. His income sources include Spotify and YouTube streaming royalties, record label deals with Warner Records, merchandise sales, live performances and his independent label “Lost People”.15
  • Gold-certified singles like “Changed Up” and “F*ck My Cousin Pt. II” further boosted his earnings while legal expenses slightly impacted his net profit during 2024–2025.

Why Lil Zay’s Fanbase is So Loyal?

Infographic of Lil Zay Osama sitting in a hoodie and jacket, showcasing a four-block grid with logos and stats of his fan engagement across YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, and TikTok, with the caption “Zay’s fans turn pain into power.”
Lil Zay Osama’s cross-platform fan engagement grid highlighting his reach on YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, and TikTok.

YouTube: Cinematic Visuals and Emotional Testimonies

  • Lil Zay Osama’s YouTube channel has over 310 million total views underscoring how it’s a key platform where his music and stories resonate deeply.16
  • Many of his music videos feel cinematic with raw storytelling and vivid Chicago visuals that amplify his themes of survival and resilience.
  • The comment sections are full of fan posts describing how his songs helped them cope with grief, trauma and depression or how his lyrics motivated them through hardship.17
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Spotify: Consistency in Streams and Playlists

  • On Spotify, Lil Zay Osama draws over 471,000 monthly listeners showcasing a steady and loyal following.18
  • His most streamed songs like “Changed Up, 61st to 64th, Soul Cry, Loyalty” and “Emotional Wreck” highlight his raw storytelling and drill sound.19
  • He has also been featured on editorial playlists such as “RapCaviar”, “Out The Mud” and “Most Necessary” placements that both introduce his music to new ears and affirm his credibility.

Instagram (@lilzayosama): Daily Connection with Followers

  • Lil Zay Osama’s Instagram account has over 922,000 followers making it his most direct channel for fan connection.20
  • His posts often mix motivational quotes, family pictures and reflections on street life hence creating a personal narrative that fans relate to.21
  • He uses emotional Reels like chorded song snippets and candid clips that drive engagement and make fans feel part of his journey.22

TikTok: Organic Fan-Driven Reach

  • Though Lil Zay is not highly active on TikTok & his tracks such as Changed Up and Ones I Love are widely used in motivational edits and grief montages.
  • This organic use of his music shows how fans weave his songs into their personal stories keeping his music alive even without heavy promotion.

Reddit: Community Analysis and Support

  • On subreddits like r/Chiraqology and r/hiphopheads fans often analyze his lyrics line-by-line, parsing metaphors and real-life context.23
  • There are also threads tracking his career development and personal challenges, topics that go beyond music and show fans deeply invested in his story.24

Instagram Live: Unfiltered Connections

Lil Zay Osama frequently goes live on Instagram to share unreleased music and discuss fatherhood, survival and life after prison in authentic & direct conversations.25

What Is Lil Zay Osama’s Full Discography?

Infographic of Lil Zay Osama’s discography with an album shelf layout, showing Hood Bible (2019), Trench Baby series (2021–2023), The Streets Calling My Name EP (2024), and upcoming Trench Baby 4 (2025). Singles highlighted include “Changed Up,” “F*ck My Cousin Pt. II,” and “Ones I Love.”
Lil Zay Osama’s discography snapshot featuring key albums, EPs, and standout singles.
Title / ProjectDetails
Turn Up (2012)Self-released early mixtape, his first official project 26
Hood Bible (Oct 2019)Major-label debut via Warner, released on October 18, 2019 27
Changed Up (2019)Hit single from Hood Bible; became pivotal in his breakthrough 28
Trench Baby (Feb 2021)Mixtape released February 19, 2021 under Warner, reinforcing street credibility 29
Trench Baby 2 (Nov 2021)Sequel mixtape released November 12, 2021 with deeper themes 30
Trench Baby 3 (Aug 2022)Third installment, released August 12, 2022 continuing his gritty narrative 31
4 The Streets (Aug 2023)Gritty mixtape released August 13, 2023, showcasing sharpened lyricism 32
Hood Bible 2 (Dec 2023)Polished sequel released December 15, 2023 with more narrative depth
The Streets Calling My Name (EP, Sep 2024)Introspective EP exploring identity and survival, released September 6, 2024
Fresh Out The Fedz (Jun 2025)First single post-incarceration; raw comeback energy 33
Ones I Love (Jul 2025)Soulful follow-up single showing emotional range
Crash Out (Jun 2025)Aggressive energy single released June 2025, marking strong return 34
How I Grew Up ft. Polo G (2024)High-profile Chicago collab that expanded his reach 35
Fuck My Cousin, Pt. II (2022)Remix with Lil Durk; high-charting, gold-certified single from Trench Baby 3 era 36

Is Lil Zay Osama Part of OTF or Related to Lil Durk?

  • Lil Zay Osama is not officially signed to OTF (Only The Family).37
  • He frequently collaborates with OTF members like Lil Durk and shares a strong bond with the crew.
  • Signed to Warner Records and launched his own label “Lost People” in 2025.
  • No confirmed blood relationship with Lil Durk despite frequent speculation and collaborations.

Lil Zay Osama Brother: Who’s in His Family?

  • Lil Zay Osama is the oldest of six siblings and grew up in a single-parent household on Chicago’s South Side.38
  • He often credits his older brother as the person who inspired him to start rapping & having watched him freestyle at home as a child.
  • While Zay refers to “brothers” in many of his songs, he uses the term symbolically to describe close friends and street allies.
  • He has publicly mourned the loss of a brother figure to violence which deeply influenced his “pain music.”
  • None of his siblings are currently known to be in the music industry and he keeps their identities private.
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Is Lil Zay Osama a GD?

  • Lil has never publicly confirmed being a member of the Gangster Disciples or any specific gang. While his music often touches on street life, loyalty, violence and survival but he avoids directly naming affiliations in interviews or lyrics.39
  • Some fans and forums speculate connections to GD based on the neighbouring he grew up in and the visuals used in his visuals but no verified sources confirm these claims.
  • As an artist signed to Warner Records, he likely stays neutral to protect his music career, travel opportunities and relationships within the industry. His lyrics focus more on personal pain, trauma and the emotional cost of street life rather than promoting any one group.

✅ Is Lil Zay Osama Still Alive?

  • Yes, He is alive and actively releasing music. After serving a 14-month federal sentence related to a firearm charge, he was released from prison in February 2025.40
  • Since then, he has returned to social media also resumed live performances and dropped new singles including “Ones I Love”, “Fresh Out the Fedz” and “I Still Think of You.”
  • His verified Instagram account remains active where he regularly shares updates & previews of unreleased tracks and connects with fans.
  • He also continues building his independent label “Lost People” and has been featured in major hip-hop media outlets discussing his comeback.

What are Lil Zay Osama’s most popular songs?

His most popular tracks include:

  • “Changed Up” – A gold-certified hit known for its raw storytelling.41
  • “F*ck My Cousin Pt. II” (featuring Lil Durk) – A viral anthem that peaked at #44 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart.42
  • “Rumors” – A YouTube favorite with millions of views.
  • “Built to Last” and “I Made It” – Tracks that showcase his blend of pain rap and street realism.43

These songs have helped define his signature sound by combining emotional vulnerability with drill energy.

How many streams does Lil Zay Osama have?

  • He has earned over 189 million total streams on Spotify.44
  • He also maintains over 470,000 monthly listeners which is a testament to his consistency and loyal fanbase.

Has Lil Zay Osama won any awards?

While he hasn’t won mainstream music awards yet, he’s received two RIAA Gold certifications for “Changed Up” & “F*ck My Cousin Pt. II” (featuring Lil Durk).4546 These accolades highlight his rising influence and success as an independent artist in the drill genre.

How big is Lil Zay Osama on YouTube?

  • As of August 2025, Lil Zay Osama’s YouTube channel has around 562, 000 subscribers making him a standout independent drill voice online.47
  • He has uploaded over 210 videos including official music videos, raw street performances and narrative-driven freestyle content that reflect his artistic authenticity.48
  • His total channel views have surpassed 310 million reflecting strong engagement and repeated plays from a dedicated fan base.
  • Many of his most popular tracks regularly hit 500 000 to over 1 million views showing that standout singles achieve viral momentum among drill listeners.
  • Estimated monthly YouTube ad revenue ranges between $40 and $120 depending on traffic and watch time supportive earnings for a self-released artist.49
  • Lil Zay Osama’s approach of combining melodic pain rap with raw street drill has helped him capture attention across platforms translating well to repeat views on YouTube.


📌 Show Footnotes
  1. Source: Wiki Lil Zay Osama[↩]
  2. Source: BringinItBackwards[↩]
  3. Source: The Hype Magazine [↩]
  4. Source: DJBooth[↩]
  5. Source: XXL YT[↩]
  6. Source: Rolling Out[↩]
  7. Source: Apple Music Hood Bible (2019)[↩]
  8. Source: ABC7NY[↩]
  9. Source: Justice.gov[↩]
  10. Source: Yahoo News[↩]
  11. Source: YT “Ones I Love”[↩]
  12. Source: Reddit[↩]
  13. Source: YouTube (Trench Baby teasers)[↩]
  14. Source: Insta@lilzayosama[↩]
  15. Source: Youtubers.me[↩]
  16. Source: Chartmetric YouTube total views[↩]
  17. Source: YT “Grew Up Different” Video Comments[↩]
  18. Source: Spotify Artist Page[↩]
  19. Source: Spotify track stats sampling other songs[↩]
  20. Source: Instagram Profile[↩]
  21. Source: IG Reel captions[↩]
  22. Source: IG Emotional Reel[↩]
  23. Source: Reddit lyric discussion[↩]
  24. Source: Reddit fan tracking thread[↩]
  25. Source: YT Live reaction clip[↩]
  26. Source: AlbumOfTheYear – Turn Up (2012)[↩]
  27. Source: Discogs – Hood Bible release[↩]
  28. Source: Last.fm – “Changed Up” track info[↩]
  29. Source: Genius – Trench Baby[↩]
  30. Source: Genius – Trench Baby 2[↩]
  31. Source: Genius – Trench Baby 3[↩]
  32. Source: Genius – 4 The Streets[↩]
  33. Source: Genius – Fresh Out The Fedz[↩]
  34. Source: Genius – Crash Out[↩]
  35. Source: Genius – How I Grew Up ft. Polo G[↩]
  36. Source: Genius – Fuck My Cousin Pt. II[↩]
  37. Source: HB Ment Facebook [↩]
  38. Source: Bringin’ it Backwards[↩]
  39. Source: Reddit[↩]
  40. Source: Reddit[↩]
  41. Source: YT “Changed Up” Official Video[↩]
  42. Source: Rolling Out[↩]
  43. Source: SoundCloud Popular Tracks[↩]
  44. Source: Music Metrics Vault[↩]
  45. Source: Warner Records press release[↩]
  46. Source: RIAA Gold & Platinum database[↩]
  47. Source: YT vidIQ stats for Lil Zay Osama[↩]
  48. Source: YT Lil Zay Osama Video Library[↩]
  49. Source: YT Revenue Estimator Tool[↩]

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