Lil Zay Osama

Lil Zay Osama is a Chicago rapper known for what he calls “pain music,” raw and melodic drill rooted in grief, trauma and survival. He started rapping at eight, was recording by ten and released his first track at twelve. His breakthrough came with the 2019 project “Hood Bible,” which led to a deal with Warner Records, and he followed it with “Trench Baby,” moving between hard trap tracks and introspective, R&B influenced songs. His collaboration with Lil Durk went Gold, and EPs like “The Streets Calling My Name” showcased his honest, vulnerable storytelling. Now based in Los Angeles and fully independent, he is closing his drill chapter with “The YN Tape” while cementing his place as one of the subgenre’s melodic innovators.