Lil Tjay’s Most Controversial Moments

Lil Tjay has built a strong reputation as one of New York’s leading young rappers, blending melodic hooks with street-driven lyrics. Since his breakout in 2018, he has gained millions of fans and several platinum records. However, his career has also been marked by controversy, from public feuds to run-ins with the law.

Lil Tjay’s legal troubles began before his rise to fame. At just 15, he served time in a juvenile detention center for robbery. After gaining fame, he continued to face legal challenges. In 2020, he was arrested in New York City for reckless endangerment and marijuana possession. In January 2023, he was arrested again in the Bronx after police allegedly found a firearm in his vehicle. Although his team claimed it was a misunderstanding, the incident reignited debate over the rapper’s behavior and public persona.

Lil Tjay has never been shy about expressing his opinions online. In 2020, he got into a heated back-and-forth with rapper Rubi Rose after their brief relationship ended publicly. The two traded insults on Instagram Live, leading fans to flood social media with memes and reactions. He also clashed with A Boogie wit da Hoodie that same year, accusing him of trying to “blackball” him in the New York rap scene. The feud created tension among fans and artists in the city’s music community.

In June 2022, Lil Tjay was shot multiple times during an attempted robbery in Edgewater, New Jersey. The incident left him in critical condition and required emergency surgery. While the shooting itself wasn’t a controversy of his making, speculation and misinformation quickly spread online. Some users accused him of provoking the attack, while others spread false rumors about his death. His recovery and return to music were later viewed as a major comeback moment in his career.

Tjay has made several bold statements that stirred backlash. In multiple interviews, he declared himself “the king of New York,” a title that sparked debate among fans of Pop Smoke, Fivio Foreign, and other drill artists. Critics accused him of being arrogant, while supporters viewed it as confidence in his success. He also made dismissive remarks about Tekashi 6ix9ine, calling him a “fake gangster,” which fueled social media debates between both artists’ fanbases.

The tension between Lil Tjay and 6ix9ine intensified in 2020 when 6ix9ine taunted Tjay on Instagram after one of his friends was arrested. Tjay responded by calling 6ix9ine a “rat” and mocking his reputation. The feud continued online for months, with both rappers exchanging insults and their followers amplifying the drama.

Lil Tjay’s dating life has often played out publicly. His relationship with Rubi Rose ended in an online argument, and he was later linked to influencer Lala Baptiste. In 2020, Rubi Rose claimed Tjay embarrassed her after allegedly refusing to pay for her flight home following an argument. The situation turned into a viral talking point on social media, damaging Tjay’s image among some fans.

In 2021, Lil Tjay was detained by police outside the Rolling Loud festival in Miami after being pulled over for a traffic violation. Officers allegedly discovered firearms and marijuana in the vehicle. Though he was released shortly after, videos of the arrest circulated widely online, reigniting discussions about rappers and legal trouble.

Throughout his career, Lil Tjay’s attitude toward fame has drawn mixed reactions. Some fans have accused him of being dismissive and arrogant during interviews or meet-and-greets. His tendency to boast about his success and money on social media has also fueled criticism, with some calling him out for being disconnected from his supporters.

Lil Tjay’s career has been a mix of success and controversy. Despite multiple legal issues, feuds, and online disputes, he remains one of the most streamed rappers of his generation. His resilience after the 2022 shooting and his continued rise in music show that he thrives under pressure. While controversy often surrounds him, it also keeps his name in the headlines, reinforcing his status as one of hip-hop’s most talked-about young artists.