Rapper and social media sensation, Lil Tay, has tragically died, her family revealed in an Instagram post on Aug. 9. The cause of her death remains undisclosed, but the announcement outlined the unforeseen nature of her passing, stating it has left everyone “in shock.” The post also disclosed the concurrent passing of her brother. The circumstances surrounding their deaths are presently under investigation.
Lil Tay, whose real name was Claire Hope, first catapulted into the public sphere in 2018, when videos of her, then just nine years old, went viral. Her online persona, characterized by explicit language and ostentatious displays of wealth, quickly garnered attention. Despite infrequent posts, Hope accumulated a following of over three million on Instagram.
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Born in Atlanta, Ga., Hope later relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia. Her most recent Instagram post, dated June 2018, was a tribute to the late rapper XXXTentacion, whom she saw as a “father figure.” XXXTentacion was shot near a motorcycle dealership in Florida.
Hope also fostered a friendship with controversial creator Woah Vicky. In an interview with the Daily Beast in 2019, Hope and her mother expressed concerns about her living situation. She mentioned a custody dispute with her father and her relocation to Vancouver to live with him. During this period, she was being homeschooled.
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Public response to the news of Hope’s death has been significant. Her memorial post for XXXTentacion on Instagram has seen a surge of comments, with users writing, “Rest in peace X and Tay.”
The family of Hope has requested privacy during this difficult time. As the investigation into the circumstances of their deaths continues, millions of fans worldwide mourn the unexpected loss of the young internet star and her brother.
