Lil Tjay Documentary in the Works From Hangtime International Productions, Detailing Rap Star’s Turbulent Rise to Fame (EXCLUSIVE)

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As a die-hard fan of music and movies, I’m thrilled to share that I’m closely following the progress of a captivating documentary being produced by Hangtime Intl. Pictures. This feature-length film will delve into the extraordinary journey of American rap sensation Lil Tjay, tracing his meteoric rise to stardom and chart-topping success in the world of hip-hop.

Lil Tjay’s music has been played more than 17 billion times globally; he has earned 29 RIAA gold and platinum awards, and has traveled around the world several times, selling out Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and London’s O2 Arena. He currently boasts over 14 million monthly listeners on Spotify and more than 22 million followers across various social media sites.

Hangtime International Pictures is led by co-CEOs Frank Murray and Frida Torresblanco. As of now, the title of the upcoming documentary remains undecided, but it will be a joint venture with Standard Projects. In addition to Torresblanco and Murray, the production team includes Clayton Barmore, Deon Douglas, and Heather L. Boucher.

Born as Tione Jayden Merritt, Lil Tjay spent his childhood in the Fordham district of the Bronx. Raised by a single mother, he was known for being a troubled kid who often got into fights and committed robberies. However, everything changed for the then 15-year-old Lil Tjay when his best friend was tragically stabbed 14 times. Months after this tragic event, Tjay himself was arrested for robbery and sentenced to a year in a juvenile detention center. It was during his time behind bars that he discovered his love for music. He would later pay tribute to his childhood friend, who was known by the nickname “Smelly,” in several of his songs.

2018 saw the emergence of Lil Tjay in the hip-hop world, churning out multiple platinum-selling tracks and a debut album, “True 2 Myself,” that peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. However, in 2022, during an attempted armed robbery, Lil Tjay was shot seven times in his chest. After several months, he released his song “Beat the Odds,” which spoke about his recovery and near-death experience. The documentary will feature Lil Tjay’s performances as well as his thoughts on fame and his challenging past.

Seeing a young man turn his suffering into a driving force inspired me to start telling Lil Tjay’s tale,” Torresblanco shared in a statement. “He’s a wounded artist whose determination resonates with an entire generation. This documentary isn’t just about music; it’s about courage, development, and the profound wisdom that can stem from enduring experiences most of us won’t face. His voice demonstrates to young people that beauty can emerge from adversity, and his legacy reminds us that even the toughest battles can ignite hope.”

The Hangtime team will present the project at Cannes, with a director for the project set to be revealed in the upcoming weeks.

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2025-05-15 08:52