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Lil Tay, rapper and social media star, dies at 14
ABC 7 ^ | 08/09/2023 | By Deena Zaru

Posted on 08/09/2023 4:51:58 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd

Lil Tay, who rose to stardom as a rapper and influencer on social media, has died at 14, according to a message shared on her verified Instagram account on Wednesday.

The teen rapper, whose real name is Claire Hope, was 9 when she gained national attention for her controversial videos, which flaunted an extravagant lifestyle and went viral on social media.

"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," the statement said. "This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock."

The statement also announced that Lil Tay's brother, Jason Tian, also died and that their deaths are under investigation. It is unclear where and when they died, but Lil Tay is a native of Canada, who moved to Los Angeles in 2018 to pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry.

"Her brother's passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief," the statement continued. "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. Claire will forever remain in our hearts, her absence leaving an indescribable void that will be felt by all who knew and loved her."

Lil Tay's last Instagram was posted on June 18, 2018, showing what appeared to be a screenshot of Lil Tay Facetiming with the late rapper XXXTentacion, whose real name is Jahseh Onfroy. The post is a tribute to the rapper, who was shot and killed, in Broward County, Florida on June 18, 2018. He was 20 years old.

"X you truly changed me," the post says. "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, 3 hours ago you announced the Charity event we were going to throw, we had everything setup, I can't believe this, the evil in the world, This isn't good Bye I Love you Bro."

The expletives in Lil Tay's social media videos and her imitations of so-called gangster rappers -- in one of which she pretends to use drugs and in another, she uses the n-word -- prompted controversy and questions about the potential exploitation of children on social media.

In a 2018 Nightline interview, Lil Tay, who was nine years old at the time, opened up about her social media stardom and being the internet's self-proclaimed "youngest flexer."

Her mother, Angela Tian, and her brother defended Lil Tay's videos in the interview with Nightline.

"A lot of people are gonna say this and that we just we just keep going," Jason, who was 16 at the time of the 2018 interview, told Nightline.

Her mother told Nightline that she is a "proud mom" and "a great parent."

"My daughter has accomplished so much by herself," she said, adding that her daughter will be a "superstar."

Lil Tay insisted at the time, "No one's forcing me to do this," and said that she runs her own Instagram account.


TOPICS: Local News; Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: liltay
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To: Responsibility2nd

Fentynol deaths probably. Totally preventable too. If we could only secure our borders and trulyncrack down on the drugs coming into our country. Sad story.


41 posted on 08/09/2023 6:42:05 PM PDT by TermLimits4All ("If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything.")
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To: reg45


"She could have been Joe Biden’s new girlfriend."


She was too old...
42 posted on 08/09/2023 7:03:43 PM PDT by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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To: skr; Responsibility2nd


"Below her title/name, it says “help me”"


Good catch.. very interesting.










43 posted on 08/09/2023 7:09:01 PM PDT by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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To: Bikkuri

When I clicked on it, I thought it might be the usual donation or merchandise link YouTubers have, but it’s just a stats page. 4,249,170 views for two non-rap videos? Perhaps other videos have been deleted. It was started in 2015, before she left Canada. Just a totally weird situation so far.


44 posted on 08/09/2023 7:14:17 PM PDT by skr (Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. - Proverbs 14:34)
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To: Responsibility2nd
Here's her mentor:


Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy

From his wiki entry:
On June 18, 2018, XXXTentacion, age 20, was murdered when he was shot near a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The attackers fled the scene in an SUV after stealing his Louis Vuitton bag containing $50,000 in cash. Four suspects were arrested and charged with first-degree murder among other charges. In August 2022, one of the four men pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testimony against the other three defendants in their trial. The trial initiated on February 7, 2023. On March 20, 2023, all three were found guilty on all counts. On April 6, 2023, they were sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Clearly, the wiki authors were impressed that the bag containing $50K was a Luis V. Was it the bag or the money they wanted?

Between these two kids, this "American rapper and singer-songwriter" and his three murderers, that's six wasted lives. And that's just a start.

And we're racist for giving a sh**. They clearly don't.
45 posted on 08/09/2023 7:24:50 PM PDT by nicollo ("This is FR!")
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To: Responsibility2nd

First reaction is: we care about this why? (”Here’s another clue for you all: The Walrus is Paul.”


46 posted on 08/09/2023 7:29:44 PM PDT by FlatulusMaximus
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To: Responsibility2nd

maybe life insurance policy will help?


47 posted on 08/09/2023 7:46:05 PM PDT by b4me
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To: Bikkuri

sold/trafficking?

odd to say she’s a social media star if no posts in years


48 posted on 08/09/2023 7:54:30 PM PDT by b4me
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