Notti Osama, a 14-year-old aspiring drill rapper, was stabbed to death by another teenager in a New York City subway station in July 2022.
The tragic incident sparked an outpouring of grief and anger from his fans, family, and the rap community. Who was Notti Osama and what led to his untimely demise? Here is what we know so far.
Who was Notti Osama?
Notti Osama, whose real name was Ethan Reyes, was a young rapper from Yonkers, New York. He was part of a rap group called 1400 Gang, along with his brother DD Osama. He started making music at the age of 12 and released several songs on YouTube and SoundCloud, such as “Without You”, “No Love”, and “Gang Shit”. He was influenced by the drill rap genre, which originated in Chicago and features aggressive lyrics, dark beats, and violent imagery. Drill rap is often associated with gang culture and street conflicts.
Tragic Death of Notti Osama
On July 9, 2022, Notti Osama got into a fight with a 15-year-old rival gang member at the 137th Street/City College subway station in Manhattan. According to law enforcement sources, Notti Osama cornered the other teen and confronted him with a broomstick. The other teen then pulled out a knife and stabbed Notti Osama in the chest.
The stabbing was captured on surveillance cameras and witnessed by several bystanders. Notti Osama was rushed to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The other teen was also injured and taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital. He was later arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. His name was revealed as Kelvin Martinez.
Tributes and Reactions
Notti Osama’s death shocked and saddened his fans, who expressed their condolences and tributes on social media. Many praised his talent and potential as a rapper, while others condemned the senseless violence that claimed his life. Some of his fans created a memorial for him in his Yonkers neighborhood on 140th Street and Broadway, where they lit candles, played his music, and wrote messages on posters.
Notti Osama’s family also mourned his loss and demanded justice for his killer. His brother DD Osama posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying “Like why did you leave me? Why you tell me that death is easy?”. His cousin Lily Ortega described him as a “happy and loving child” who enjoyed spending time with his family. She also said that he had dreams of becoming a famous rapper and helping his mother financially.
The investigation into Notti Osama’s death is still ongoing. The police are looking into the possible motives and backgrounds of the two teens involved in the stabbing. They are also examining the role of drill rap and gang rivalry in the incident. MTA NYC transit president Richard Davey said that he thanked the NYPD detectives for their rapid arrest of the suspect and that he hoped that this would bring some closure to Notti Osama’s family.
