DD Osama
David De'Shaun Reyes (born November 29, 2006), known professionally as DD Osama, is an American rapper from Harlem, New York, recognized for his work in the New York drill genre.[1][2] He began his music career in 2021 alongside his younger brother Ethan Reyes, professionally known as Notti Osama, releasing their debut single "Aftermath" before Notti's death in a street altercation on July 11, 2022, which propelled DD Osama's visibility through subsequent tracks honoring his sibling and addressing ongoing rivalries in the drill scene.[3][4] At 18 years old, DD Osama has amassed millions of streaming views, collaborated with peers like Sugarhill Ddot, and embodies the raw, confrontational style of contemporary New York drill, often reflecting personal loss and neighborhood conflicts amid a subgenre linked to gang affiliations and violence.[5][6] His career has not been without friction, including public disputes over diss tracks targeting deceased rivals and apologies for familial disrespects in the heat of beefs, highlighting the intense interpersonal dynamics within drill rap culture.[7]Early Life
Family and Upbringing
David DeShaun Reyes, professionally known as DD Osama, was born on November 29, 2006, in Harlem, New York City, to parents of Dominican descent.[8] [2] He was raised in the neighborhood alongside five siblings, including brothers JStar Balla (Jaron), JayKlickin (Jared), and Ethan Reyes (Notti Osama), as well as two sisters, one identified as Melz Latina.[9] [10] His mother worked as a real estate agent before his birth, though limited public details exist about his father's background or family dynamics.[11] Reyes grew up in a musically inclined environment in Harlem, where exposure to hip-hop and drill culture from an early age shaped his interests, with his family providing initial support for creative pursuits.[12] [3] The Reyes family's residence in Harlem placed them amid the area's vibrant yet challenging urban setting, fostering resilience amid local influences that later informed his artistic development.[13]Entry into Rap
David Reyes, known professionally as DD Osama, began pursuing rap music in 2021 after his younger brother Notti Osama expressed interest in the genre, prompting the siblings to record their initial tracks together.[14] This early collaboration marked his introduction to the craft, with the brothers drawing inspiration from artists such as Polo G, Lil Keed, and Hotboii, whom Notti admired.[14] Reyes noted in a 2023 interview that once he grasped the fundamentals of rapping, he committed more intensely, stating, "We was going back to back... once I realized I knew about how to rap, it was all up."[14] Notti's murder on July 9, 2022, profoundly influenced Reyes' trajectory, shifting his focus from casual recording to a determined solo pursuit as a means of honoring his brother's legacy.[14] Motivated by the sentiment that "If I don’t [rap], who gon’ do it for me? My son Notti’s not here to rap, so I’ve gotta rap," Reyes escalated his output in the New York drill subgenre, which emphasizes gritty street narratives often rooted in local rivalries.[14] His entry aligned with a wave of younger Harlem and Bronx artists revitalizing drill, building on pioneers like Pop Smoke while targeting adolescent audiences through raw, high-energy delivery.[6] Key early releases included the 2021 collaborative track "Aftermath" with Notti and Blockwork, which laid groundwork for visibility in underground circles.[6] Following the tragedy, singles like "Dead Opps" and "40s N 9s," both released in 2022, amassed millions of streams and YouTube views—"Dead Opps" alone surpassing 17 million—propelling him into broader recognition within the drill ecosystem.[14][6] This period culminated in his signing with Alamo Records in September 2022, formalizing his transition from amateur recordings to professional artistry.[14]Musical Career
Debut and Breakthrough (2021–2022)
In September 2021, DD Osama entered the New York drill rap scene with his debut single "Aftermath," released on September 4 and featuring his brother Notti Osama alongside rapper Blockwork.[15] The track, produced over a sparse beat typical of early 2020s drill, focused on street themes and marked the brothers' initial collaboration in the genre.[15] DD Osama's recognition grew modestly through additional singles in late 2021 and early 2022, including appearances on tracks like "Too Tact" with Notti Osama.[16] However, his breakthrough occurred following the fatal stabbing of Notti Osama on July 9, 2022, at a Harlem subway station during an altercation linked to rival gang tensions.[4] In response, DD Osama released "Dead Opps" on July 12, 2022, a diss track targeting perceived enemies that rapidly gained traction, accumulating over 55 million Spotify streams by late 2023 and establishing his presence in the competitive drill landscape.[17] The song's success, amplified by social media virality and YouTube views exceeding millions shortly after upload, propelled DD Osama's visibility, leading to tribute releases like "Letter 2 Notti" that same year, which further solidified his narrative as a rising figure amid personal loss.[18] This period transitioned him from underground obscurity to a notable name in New York drill, though his output remained single-focused without a formal mixtape until 2023.[16]Mainstream Rise and Tours (2023–Present)
In 2023, DD Osama expanded his reach beyond the New York drill scene through high-profile collaborations and national touring. He contributed to Coi Leray's track "Up Now," released on February 16, which blended New Jersey club influences and aligned with Leray's rising profile from her hit "Players."[19] This period marked increased output, including singles that built on his earlier breakthroughs, contributing to his recognition as an emerging talent in hip-hop media.[20] A key milestone came in August 2023 when DD Osama joined Lil Durk's "Sorry For The Drought Tour," sharing stages with established artists Kodak Black and NLE Choppa across multiple U.S. cities.[21] The tour provided exposure to larger audiences, amplifying his visibility amid growing streams for tracks like "Dead Opps," which had already gained traction locally. By late 2023, his Spotify monthly listeners approached significant figures, reflecting broader appeal.[22] Continuing momentum into 2024 and 2025, DD Osama's catalog, including releases like the 2024 mixtape Before the Album, sustained fan engagement, with cumulative Spotify streams exceeding 800 million.[23] In March 2025, Live Nation Urban announced the "New Wave Tour 2025," a 14-date U.S. run headlined by DD Osama alongside Sugarhill Ddot and STAR BANDZ, commencing in May with stops in cities such as Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Boston.[24] This headlining effort underscored his transition toward mainstream touring viability within the drill rap genre.Discography
Mixtapes
DD Osama's mixtape output primarily consists of two major releases under Alamo Records. His debut mixtape, Here 2 Stay, was released on May 12, 2023, and contains 14 tracks, including collaborations that highlight his drill style and affiliations.[25][26] The project debuted amid his rising profile following viral singles, amassing streams through platforms like Spotify and SoundCloud.[27] Subsequent to Here 2 Stay, DD Osama issued Before The Album on October 16, 2024, comprising 10 tracks as a precursor to anticipated full-length efforts.[28][29] This mixtape maintains his focus on street narratives and rapid-fire flows, with production emphasizing high-energy beats typical of New York drill.[30]| Mixtape Title | Release Date | Number of Tracks | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Here 2 Stay | May 12, 2023 | 14 | Alamo Records [25][31] |
| Before The Album | October 16, 2024 | 10 | Alamo Records [28][32] |
Singles and Collaborations
DD Osama's singles primarily embody the New York drill genre, featuring rapid flows, ominous beats, and lyrics centered on rivalry and loss, often released independently or via platforms like Spotify and YouTube before wider distribution. His early releases gained underground popularity through social media virality, with collaborations emphasizing affiliations in Harlem's OY/OHV collective. Notable tracks include "Too Tact," a collaboration with Sugarhill Ddot and his late brother Notti Osama, released on March 27, 2022, which amassed over 29 million Spotify streams by highlighting group dynamics in drill beefs.[33][34] "Dead Opps," released July 12, 2022, and featuring Notti Osama, marked a pivotal moment post-Notti's death, serving as a tribute amid ongoing feuds; it has exceeded 55 million Spotify streams, underscoring its role in elevating DD Osama's visibility.[35][17] "40s N 9s," a solo-leaning track released August 1, 2022, further solidified his solo presence with references to weaponry and retaliation.[36] In late 2022, DD Osama expanded reach with "Throw," a collaboration with Lil Mabu released December 23, 2022, blending drill aggression with Mabu's contrarian style in a music video depicting mock confrontations.[37] Into 2023, "Let's Do It," featuring NLE Choppa and Dee Play4Keeps and released July 7, 2023, introduced broader appeal through Choppa's mainstream trap influence, distributed via Alamo Records.[38][39]| Single | Release Date | Featured Artists | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Too Tact | March 27, 2022 | Sugarhill Ddot, Notti Osama | Early viral hit in NY drill scene.[33] |
| Dead Opps | July 12, 2022 | Notti Osama | Tribute track post-Notti's death; over 55M Spotify streams.[35][17] |
| 40s N 9s | August 1, 2022 | None primary | References to firearms in drill context.[36] |
| Throw | December 23, 2022 | Lil Mabu | Cross-artist collab with video emphasis.[37] |
| Let's Do It | July 7, 2023 | NLE Choppa, Dee Play4Keeps | Mainstream push via Alamo distribution.[38] |