View gallery
- Lil Tay is a social media star and rapper.
- She rose to fame as a nine-year-old rapper.
- Her family seemingly announced her death in a statement on August 9, 2023, but one day later confirmed that the news was fake.
Lil Tay, the teen who went viral as a nine-year-old rapper was rumored to have died at the 14 on Aug. 9. In a since-deleted Instagram post, her family seemingly announced the sad news. However, just one day later, Tay released a statement to TMZ via her family that confirmed she was very much still alive.
“I want to make clear that my brother and I are safe and alive,” she said. “But I’m completely heartbroken and struggling to even find the right words to say. It’s been a very traumatizing 24 hours. All day yesterday, I was bombarded with endless heartbreaking and tearful phone calls from loved ones all trying to sort out this mess.”
She also confirmed that her Instagram had been “compromised” by a third party, which is where the death hoax statement came from. The fake statement — which has since been deleted from Tay’s Instagram — read: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing. We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain,” they said. “During this time of immense sorrow, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this overwhelming loss, as the circumstances surrounding Claire and her brother’s passing are still under investigation.” Find out more about Lil Tay here.
Lil Tay is an influencer and rapper
Lil Tay made her mark on social media early when she was only nine years old. She filmed videos insulting YouTuber RiceGum, and he responded, giving her notoriety. Months after her videos went viral, she was signed to the management group Tha Lights Global, per The Cut. She dropped her debut song “Money Way” in 2018.
What Is Lil Tay’s Real Name?
In her statement to TMZ, Lil Tay also confirmed that her real name is Tay Tian. This is different than the name that was circulating along with the death hoax, which claimed her full name was Claire Hope.
She is a big XXXTentacion fan.
Lil Tay has shown that she was very influenced by the controversial late rapper XXXTentacion. After his death in 2018, she shared screenshots from a FaceTime call with him and some messages the two had shared. She wrote a loving tribute to him in the caption. “X you truly changed me,” she wrote. ” you were there for me when everyone wanted me to fail, you were there to give me advice, you were there. As a father figure, when I don’t have one, you were here, FaceTiming me and calling me for hours when I’m down.”
Lil Tay got to work with Chief Keef.
Early in her career, Tay got to collaborate with tons of huge stars. “Me and my big Bro @chieffkeeffsossa got a video on the way. Gang Gang.. be ready,” she wrote on Instagram in 2018. Keef is known for songs like “Love Sosa” and “Hate Bein’ Sober.” Oh, and for his arrest history.
She Isn’t Afraid To Clap Back
Lil Tay’s photos are flooded with negative comments, but she never shies away from responding to the haters. “YALL READY KNOW LIL TAY RICH AND FINNA GET RICHER SO STOP HATING AND GET UR MONEY UP,” she wrote in the caption of one pic.
Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get the hottest celeb news.