In a new Rolling Stone interview, Lil Tjay gave a detailed account of the events that took place on the day of the shooting. The rapper revealed that he was in New Jersey visiting friends when the incident occurred. He had just finished eating at Chipotle and was getting into his car when an armed robber approached him and his two friends. The robber demanded that Tjay hand over his jewelry and then began firing at the group. Tjay was hit seven times, with one bullet lodging in his neck.
The rapper was rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to remove the bullet from his neck. He was then placed in a medically induced coma for five days. During this time, Tjay’s family and friends, as well as the hip-hop community, rallied around him, praying for his recovery.
It was during this time that Tjay received a phone call from rapper 50 Cent. Tjay revealed that the phone call was a turning point for him. He said, “50 Cent is a legend and for him to take the time to call me and give me words of encouragement was huge. He told me, ‘Every artist needs pain or something to feed off of. This right here, you shake this shit off. You got the length for greatness. You going to be bigger than ever.’”
Tjay also credited his faith as a major factor in his recovery. He said, “I got airlifted into the sky at 2:22, and it was June 22, 2022. When I searched those numbers, it was like ‘God’s giving you the opportunity to change.’ I questioned God before that. I don’t anymore. I know God’s real, a billion percent.”
After a difficult recovery period, Tjay was able to walk out of the hospital on his own two feet. He said, “I feel like a miracle kid. I feel like my purpose is bigger than I know. I’m just trying to figure out what life got in store for me. I know that I’m destined to win.”
Tjay has since made a full recovery and is back in the studio, working on new music. He even dropped a remix of 50 Cent’s “Many Men” track, titled “FACESHOT,” in which he addresses the perpetrator of the shooting.
The alleged shooter, 27-year-old Mohamed Konate, was arrested shortly after the incident and is facing multiple charges, including three counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of first-degree armed robbery, and multiple weapons-related offences.
Tjay’s harrowing experience serves as a reminder of the dangers that come with fame, and the importance of having a support system in times of crisis.