In just three years, one Harlem-born artist’s tracks have surpassed 100 million streams – a staggering feat for someone who started releasing music during the pandemic. David De’Shaun Reyes, professionally known as DD Osama, represents the new wave of drill rappers reshaping New York City’s hip-hop landscape since his 2021 debut.
Born November 29, 2006, the 17-year-old artist (18 in 2024) combines raw lyricism with trap beats that echo through his native Manhattan streets. His stage name reflects both personal heritage and artistic ambition, blending childhood nicknames with nods to cultural influences.
Industry analysts note Reyes’ rapid ascension correlates with strategic social media engagement across platforms like Instagram and YouTube. The artist’s content strategy emphasizes authentic neighborhood storytelling, with viral videos often filmed against Harlem’s iconic brownstone backdrops.
Key Takeaways
- Harlem-born David De’Shaun Reyes launched his music career at age 15
- Gained recognition through New York’s drill rap scene starting in 2021
- Blends trap beats with lyrics reflecting urban experiences
- Maintains strong social media presence across multiple platforms
- Represents the youngest generation of NYC hip-hop artists
- Career accelerated by viral tracks and strategic content creation
Profile Summary of DD Osama
At the intersection of cultural heritage and digital-native creativity stands David De’Shaun Reyes, professionally recognized by his stage name. The Harlem-born performer’s artistic identity merges childhood nicknames with nods to urban musical traditions, creating a persona that resonates with Gen Z audiences.
Full Name and Early Details
Born to Crimsley Martinez in Manhattan’s historic Sugar Hill neighborhood, Reyes carries Dominican, Puerto Rican, and African-American roots. His stage moniker evolved organically from neighborhood interactions and musical collaborations with his late brother, known professionally as Notti Osama.
| Category | Details | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Name | David De’Shaun Reyes | Official identification |
| Artistic Alias | DD Osama | Brand identity |
| Primary Influence | Notti Osama | Musical mentorship |
Date of Birth, Age, and Zodiac Sign
November 29, 2006, marks Reyes’ entry into New York City’s cultural tapestry. As of 2024, the Scorpio-sign artist remains among the youngest charting performers in the United States’ drill scene. Industry observers note his 2021 career launch coincided with strategic social media experiments during pandemic lockdowns.
Early recordings captured in Harlem housing projects gained traction through localized sharing before achieving national recognition. This grassroots approach established Reyes as an authentic voice for urban youth experiences.
DD Osama – Age, Family, Bio Insights
New York’s drill scene witnessed a seismic shift when David De’Shaun Reyes began channeling street narratives into minimalist trap productions. Industry tracker Chartmetric reports his catalog generated over 200 million combined streams by Q2 2024, validating his artistic formula.
Authentic Music Journey
The artist’s 2021 debut track “Dead Opps” became a cultural artifact through raw lyricism and haunting 808s. Recorded in a Harlem bedroom studio, its viral spread demonstrated Gen Z’s appetite for unfiltered urban storytelling. Reyes later told Billboard: “We keep it 100—no fairy tales, just real talk.”
Key Milestones and Collaborations
Creative partnerships shaped Reyes’ trajectory, particularly with his brother Notti Osama. Their joint project Brotherly Bonds (2022) blended drill rhythms with poignant reflections on loyalty. Subsequent collaborations with Bronx rapper Kay Flock amplified his reach, cementing his status among NYC’s rap vanguard.
Despite being under 18, the performer has secured three RIAA-certified singles. Analysts credit his success to strategic release patterns and lyrical authenticity that resonates with younger demographics. For deeper insights into his creative process, read also our analysis of Gen Z’s impact on hip-hop economics.
DD Osama’s Early Life and Family Background
The concrete playgrounds of Harlem’s Sugar Hill neighborhood shaped David Reyes’ artistic perspective long before his stage name gained recognition. This historic Manhattan enclave, known for its brownstone-lined streets and jazz heritage, provided both inspiration and challenges that would later permeate his lyrics.
Birthplace and Upbringing in Harlem, New York
Born at Harlem Hospital in 2006, Reyes grew up in a household led by mother Crimsley Martinez, a real estate professional. The artist’s childhood unfolded against a backdrop of cultural landmarks like the Apollo Theater and Marcus Garvey Park. Billboard noted in 2023 that “Harlem’s musical legacy courses through his work like a secondary heartbeat.”
Family Dynamics and Sibling Relationships
Martinez raised five children in a blended family structure, with Reyes frequently collaborating musically with brothers Jstar Balla and JayKlickin. The 2022 passing of younger brother Ethan “Notti Osama” Reyes marked a turning point. Industry observers note this loss intensified the artist’s lyrical focus on loyalty and remembrance.
Family collaborations began as bedroom recording sessions, evolving into professional partnerships. Jstar Balla’s early guidance helped shape Reyes’ approach to beat selection and flow patterns. These creative exchanges laid groundwork for his eventual breakthrough in New York City’s competitive drill scene.
The Rise of DD Osama in the Rap Scene
New York’s underground rap circuits gained a formidable new voice when a 15-year-old artist began uploading raw tracks from Harlem bedrooms. David Reyes’ transition from local cipher participant to streaming phenomenon illustrates the power of digital-age authenticity in hip-hop’s evolving landscape.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough Tracks
Reyes’ 2021 debut single “Dead Opps” became an accidental manifesto for Gen Z drill enthusiasts. Recorded on basic equipment with his brother Ethan “Notti Osama” Reyes, the track’s unfiltered lyricism about street loyalty amassed 19 million YouTube views within six months. Billboard later noted it “redefined expectations for DIY rap productions” in their 2023 urban music report.
Analytics firm Chartmetric tracked the song’s organic spread, showing 72% of initial engagement came through TikTok challenges and Instagram Reels. This digital-first approach established Reyes’ blueprint: raw narratives paired with shareable hooks.
Influence of Early Collaborations
Creative partnerships accelerated Reyes’ trajectory. Joint tracks with Harlem peers like Kay Flock (“40s N 9s”) and Blockwork (“No Remorse”) blended neighborhood slang with trap rhythms. However, his most impactful work stemmed from family ties. Songs like “Aftermath” and “Brotherly Love” with Notti Osama showcased their symbiotic flow patterns, later influencing drill artists nationwide.
Industry observers credit these collaborations for Reyes’ rapid skill development. By 2022, his monthly Spotify listeners surpassed 2 million despite minimal radio play. For deeper analysis of this streaming strategy, read also our breakdown of youth-driven music consumption trends.
Tragic Moments and Personal Triumphs
The sudden loss of a sibling transformed both the artist’s creative output and public persona. Notti Osama’s unexpected passing in July 2022 became a defining moment, shifting Reyes’ lyrical focus toward themes of grief and perseverance. Music industry analysts observed a 214% surge in streaming activity for his catalog during the weeks following the tragedy.
Artistic Response to Personal Loss
Reyes channeled raw emotion into tracks like “Letter 2 Notti,” which debuted at #23 on Spotify’s US Viral 50 chart. The song’s lyrics reference shared childhood memories and unresolved conversations, capturing the complexity of sibling bonds severed prematurely. A 2023 Rolling Stone profile noted the track’s “visceral authenticity that redefines drill music’s emotional range.”
Creative Catharsis Through Sound
Tribute works became therapeutic outlets, blending drill’s aggressive beats with vulnerable storytelling. Lifestyle writer Jamila Thompson, recipient of the 2023 Writer Year Award for music journalism, described this evolution as “street poetry meets grief counseling.” Reyes confirmed this approach in an interview: “Every verse helps me process what we lost.”
The artist’s collaborations took on new depth post-2022, often featuring voice notes from his late brother. These productions maintain Notti Osama’s creative presence while allowing Reyes to explore survivor’s guilt through rhythm. For deeper analysis of grief narratives in hip-hop, read also our examination of memorialization trends in urban music.
DD Osama’s Impact on Social Media and Fan Engagement
Digital platforms have become critical amplifiers for Harlem’s latest rap phenomenon. Data from Social Blade reveals Reyes’ Instagram following grew 412% between 2022-2024, reaching 1.6 million users. This growth trajectory outpaces 92% of emerging hip-hop artists in the United States, according to a 2024 HipHopDX industry report.
Social Media Presence and Milestones
| Platform | Followers | Engagement Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6M | 8.2% | |
| TikTok | 2.1M | 14.7% |
| YouTube | 1.28M | 23K avg. comments |
New York audiences drive 38% of his TikTok interactions, with localized challenges featuring Harlem landmarks. A 2023 Rolling Stone analysis noted: “His posts blend neighborhood authenticity with viral-ready hooks, creating shareable content that transcends regional boundaries.”
The artist’s tribute tracks to his late brother generate 2.3x more saves than other content, per Later.com metrics. This emotional resonance fuels cross-platform engagement, particularly among 18-24 year-olds in urban centers across the United States America.
Strategic collaborations with artists like SugarHill Ddot expanded his reach, with joint tracks averaging 72 hours in TikTok’s Top Sounds. Industry analysts credit Reyes’ 17 million TikTok likes to consistent posting schedules and behind-the-scenes studio clips.
“Social media transformed how drill artists build careers—Reyes mastered turning viral moments into sustainable growth.”
Over three years, his YouTube subscribers increased 890%, with vlogs documenting music creation processes attracting 91% completion rates. For deeper insights into these digital strategies, read also our analysis of Gen Z’s music consumption patterns.
Conclusion
David De’Shaun Reyes, known professionally as DD Osama, has redefined New York City’s drill scene through raw lyricism and digital savvy. Emerging as a voice for his generation, the Harlem-born artist transformed personal loss into charting singles, with tracks like “Letter 2 Notti” processing grief through trap rhythms. His catalog surpassed 200 million streams by 2024, a testament to Gen Z’s embrace of unfiltered storytelling.
Industry analysts highlight strategic collaborations with artists like Kay Flock and Jstar Balla as pivotal to his rise. These partnerships, combined with viral social media tactics, propelled the rapper to 1.6 million Instagram followers and three RIAA-certified tracks. Lifestyle writer Jamila Thompson, recipient of the Writer Year Award, noted his work “bridges street authenticity with universal emotional resonance.”
Behind the metrics lies a narrative shaped by adversity. The death of younger brother Notti Osama in 2022 deepened Reyes’ artistic focus on loyalty and remembrance. While speculation about his personal life circulates online, including interest in relationships, the artist maintains emphasis on musical evolution. As digital platforms continue amplifying his voice, Reyes stands positioned to influence hip-hop’s next chapter – proof that raw talent paired with viral strategy can reshape urban music landscapes.
FAQ
Where was DD Osama born and raised?
The rapper was born David De’Shaun Reyes in Harlem, New York City, where he developed his early interest in music amid the neighborhood’s cultural influences.
How did Notti Osama’s death impact his career?
The tragic 2022 stabbing death of his younger brother Ethan Reyes (Notti Osama) deeply influenced his music, leading to emotionally charged tracks like “Dead Opps” that memorialize their bond.
What collaborations boosted his recognition?
Early partnerships with Sugarhill Ddot and JStar Balla helped establish his presence in New York’s drill scene, particularly through viral tracks like “Without You.”
How does he honor his late brother in his work?
Through tribute songs like “Letter 2 Notti” and frequent lyrical references, he maintains Notti’s legacy while processing grief through his artistry.
What social media platforms drive his fan engagement?
Instagram (@ddosama) and YouTube serve as primary hubs, with music videos like “40s N 9s” surpassing 30 million views, amplifying his reach beyond traditional rap markets.
What legal name appears on his official records?
Born David De’Shaun Reyes, the artist legally operates under this name while using DD Osama as his stage persona in professional music endeavors.
Which track first gained major traction?
“Dead Opps” (2022) became his breakout hit, accumulating over 15 million Spotify streams within six months of release according to Chartmetric data.
