Lil Zay Osama on Gun Cases, Prison, and Change

Transcript

All right, here we go. Lil Osama, welcome back to Vlad TV. >> What's the word, my boy? >> It's been like six years. >> Oh, yeah. Long time. >> Since that time, man, you had a lot of success, a lot of struggles, ups and downs, but you still here. You healthy. >> Sure. >> You got fans, >> you know. You getting views. You doing shows. You got healthy ... Read More

Key Insights

• Lil Zay Osama denies handling or leaving the modified Glock found in a New York Uber in 2022. He says the driver left after dropping off his group, returned about an hour later, and associated him with the weapon because his grills and chains made him memorable.
• The physical evidence was DNA rather than Lil Zay Osama's fingerprints, according to his account. He argues that DNA could have transferred indirectly if the weapon contacted a seat or surface that his body or clothing had previously touched.
• The initial felon-in-possession allegation was flawed because Lil Zay Osama says he had no felony convictions at the time. His earlier Chicago gun case had resulted in a misdemeanor, and he says this discrepancy contributed to part of the New York case being thrown out.
• Lil Zay Osama spent 30 days detained before securing bail in the New York case. The bail was set at $1 million, and obtaining release required other people to provide signatures and put up property rather than simply paying the amount directly.
• Lil Zay Osama disputes reports about a later Chicago vehicle investigation. He says the vehicle was registered in his name, was not stolen, and contained two guns rather than the six reported, while the authorities ultimately did not charge him over that incident.
• Lil Zay Osama identifies his associations as a recurring source of legal danger. He says many friends from Chicago remain involved in street life and carry weapons for protection, leaving him exposed to arrest or blame even when he says the weapons are not his.
• Lil Zay Osama served 14 months in federal prison for the New York gun charge and received what the description characterizes as a lenient sentence because of his clean record. He presents the experience as a lesson about loyalty, personal responsibility, and avoiding street drama.
• Lil Zay Osama is shifting his life and career after leaving Chicago, getting baptized, and completing seven years with Warner Bros. He plans to release his final drill tape, work independently through a United Masters partnership, and expand into other musical genres.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why was Lil Zay Osama arrested after riding in a New York Uber?

Lil Zay Osama was arrested after a driver reported finding a .40-caliber Glock modified with a switch in an Uber that had carried him and several companions. Police approached him about an hour after the group left the vehicle. He says officers initially mentioned a robbery and disclosed the gun allegation only after taking him to the station for transfer to federal authorities.

Q: Did Lil Zay Osama admit to handling the gun found in the Uber?

Lil Zay Osama denied handling or leaving the gun in the Uber. He argued that he was seated directly behind the driver, making the driver's claimed observation questionable unless the driver turned around or adjusted his mirrors. Osama believes the driver remembered and identified him because his permanent grills and chains made him stand out among the six or seven passengers.

Q: What evidence connected Lil Zay Osama to the Uber gun?

Lil Zay Osama says the evidence involved DNA, not his fingerprints. He disputes reports suggesting that his prints were on the weapon and argues that DNA can transfer through contact with shared surfaces. As an example, he says his leg could rub against a seat and leave DNA that might later reach a gun placed on the same seat.

Q: How did Lil Zay Osama obtain bail in the New York gun case?

The court set Lil Zay Osama's bail at $1 million, but he says he did not simply pay that sum. Other people had to sign documents and put up property as part of the release process. He remained detained for 30 days while court proceedings occurred, then secured release on the day the court finalized the bail conditions.

Q: Was Lil Zay Osama already a felon when the New York case occurred?

Lil Zay Osama says he was not a felon when the New York case occurred. Although authorities initially charged him as a felon in possession of a firearm, he says he had no felony convictions in his background. His previous Chicago gun case was classified as a misdemeanor, and he states that the incorrect felony allegation was consequently thrown out.

Q: What did Lil Zay Osama say about the later Chicago vehicle investigation?

Lil Zay Osama rejected reports that the Chicago investigation involved a stolen vehicle and six guns. He says the car was his, was registered in his name, and was never stolen. He also says officers found two guns rather than six. According to his account, the stolen-vehicle report supplied probable cause to approach the car, but authorities filed no related charges against him.

Q: Why does Lil Zay Osama believe he repeatedly faced gun-related trouble?

Lil Zay Osama attributes many of his legal problems to remaining around friends involved in street life. He says people associated with him in Chicago face danger and therefore carry weapons for protection. Although he maintains that the guns do not necessarily belong to him, he says his presence repeatedly leaves him taking responsibility or receiving the worst consequences.

Q: How is Lil Zay Osama changing his life and music career?

Lil Zay Osama says he moved away from Chicago two years ago, was recently baptized, and intends to reduce his exposure to street conflict. After seven years with Warner Bros., he transitioned to independence and formed a partnership with United Masters. He also announced a final drill tape and said he plans to expand his music into other genres.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lil Zay Osama disputes reports about the 2022 New York gun case, saying he never handled or left a modified Glock in an Uber. He says investigators found DNA rather than his fingerprints, and that the initial felon-in-possession allegation was invalid because he had no felony record at the time.

• After spending 30 days detained before obtaining bail, Lil Zay Osama later served 14 months in federal prison for the New York case. He attributes his comparatively lenient sentence to his clean record and describes repeated legal problems as consequences of remaining close to people involved in dangerous street activity.

• Lil Zay Osama says he left Chicago two years ago after experiencing violence from a young age, including being shot at 15. Following baptism and seven years with Warner Bros., he became independent, partnered with United Masters, planned a final drill tape, and expressed interest in exploring musical genres beyond drill.