Lil Tjay Recalls Waking Up From Coma Following 2022 Shooting

BY Erika Marie
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Lil Tjay Performs At The O2
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 12: Lil Tjay performs at The O2 Arena on October 12, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)
Back in 2022, New York rapper Lil Tjay was shot seven times during an attempted robbery. Now, he recalls what it was like emerging from a coma.

Nearly 4 years ago, Lil Tjay faced a harrowing journey. The New York rapper, whose real name is Tione Merritt, was injured during an attempted robbery in New Jersey. He was shot seven times and endured a life-saving surgery, and while in the hospital, he was in a coma.

Recently, Tjay sat down with Mornings With Mero and recounted the ordeal and what it was like emerging from the coma, confused. He had no idea he had missed a week of his life. “I just remember waking up,” Tjay said. “It was a doctor or nurse named Lauren. She walked in and was like, ‘Oh, he’s up.’” According to HOT 97, he added, “She told me, 'You didn’t look so good last week.' And I’m like, ‘Last week?’... It didn’t feel like nothing. I didn’t even know what happened. I didn’t even know where I was at.”

Read More: Offset Allegedly Told Lil Tjay To Get His Money Back In Blood

Tjay Didn't Think He Would Be Shot

Lil Tjay also admitted that prior to the shooting, he felt invincible. He thought that he could "do whatever" he wanted and never believed he would be shot. “The fact that I took any type of L or anything even happened to me that I didn’t plan, I was just like, ‘Oh sh*t, I could be just like anybody else,’” he said. Further, Tjay expressed he has changed how he approaches his career, being more intentional and careful about his choices.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Konate was reportedly charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of first-degree armed robbery, and several weapons offenses. Check out Lil Tjay's interview below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming the Co-Head of Original Content. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, and Amy Luciani—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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