When people search “DD Osama age,” they’re often curious not just about the number but what it represents: a young talent thrust into the spotlight, shaped by tragedy, ambition, and the urgency of youth. In this article, we’ll delve into who DD Osama is, his actual age, and how his life circumstances contributed to his rise in the rap world.
Who Is DD Osama?
DD Osama’s real name is David DeShaun Reyes, and he hails from the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Harlem, New York. He is primarily associated with drill and hip-hop, making waves particularly in New York’s young rap scene. He began releasing music around 2021, often alongside his younger brother, known as Notti Osama, and close collaborators such as Sugarhill Ddot and Blockwork.
DD Osama’s Age: How Old Is He?
DD Osama was born on 29 November 2006. That makes him 18 years old in 2025.
Occasionally, you’ll find older sources stating he’s 16 (for example, when referencing 2022 or 2023). However, according to current counting, 18 is correct. The discrepancy arises simply because many write-ups haven’t been updated over time.
Early Life & Family Background
David grew up in a big family. His siblings include JStar Balla, JayKlickin, Ethan Reyes (also known as Notti Osama, deceased), and at least one sister. His mother, Crimsley Martinez, has often been credited with making sacrifices to support her children, while his father, Eddie Reyes, has had a more distant presence. The family has Dominican, Puerto Rican, and African American heritage.
Growing up in Harlem, David was exposed to hip-hop culture from a young age. His brother Notti influenced him musically, exposing him to drill, rap, and more melodic rap traditions. He and Notti began recording music together around 2021, with David gradually taking the craft more seriously in 2022.
The Tragic Loss of Notti Osama
A pivotal moment in David’s life—and career—was the death of Ethan “Notti Osama” Reyes, his younger brother. Notti was born on 17 January 2008 and was killed in July 2022 during a stabbing altercation at the 137th Street–City College subway station in Manhattan. He was only 14 at the time.
His death had a profound emotional and professional impact. Songs that David and Notti had worked on—such as “Dead Opps”—gained renewed attention in the aftermath. David later released “Letter 2 Notti” as a tribute and continued to lean on that grief in his art. The event also exposed the darker intersections of youth, violence, and the drill rap industry.
How the “Age Factor” Shaped His Image
Because DD Osama is still a teenager, his age has become an integral part of his brand. Many fans and media saw him as a representation of the next wave of rap talent—youthful, raw, emotional, and fearless. His very young age also draws skepticism: Can someone so young sustain a serious music career? But the fact that he’s already producing, collaborating, and touring gives weight to his claims.
His youth also ties into his lyrical themes. The juxtaposition of trauma, ambition, grief, and the pressures of fame feels more immediate when the artist is still a teenager. Fans often comment on how raw his emotions are—less filtered than those of a seasoned adult artist.
Career Milestones & Breakout Moments
Some key moments in DD Osama’s career trajectory:
- In 2021, he released “Aftermath” with Notti and Blockwork.
- After Notti’s death, “Dead Opps” surged in popularity, and DD followed up with E.4.N (Everything for Notti).
- In early 2023, he released “Upnow” with Coi Leray and dropped his debut mixtape, Here 2 Stay.
- He signed with Alamo Records and was also co-signed by high-profile names, including Drake.
- DD joined Lil Durk’s “Sorry for the Drought” tour in 2023, expanding his exposure.
- As of late 2024, his arrest footage made headlines—though details remain unclear.
All these moves contributed to his growing reputation as one of the most talked-about young rappers in New York.
Why the Focus on DD Osama’s Age Matters
The question “How old is DD Osama?” is more than trivia. His age influences how audiences interpret his music, how critics evaluate him, and how the industry packages him. A few observations:
- His age lends a sense of urgency to his lyrics. When you hear mortality, loss, or ambition from someone so young, it carries extra emotional weight.
- Younger artists often meet pushback: can they last? Is this a phase? For DD, much of the discourse around him centers on longevity, consistency, and growth.
- Age confers both opportunities and risks: younger artists tend to gain viral traction (teens supporting teens), but must also navigate pitfalls such as exploitation or creative burnout.
- DD’s age amplifies his narrative—not just as a rapper, but as someone using his youth as a lens for survival, grief, and aspiration.
Challenges and Criticism
Being so young doesn’t shield him from scrutiny. Critics note that sometimes his craft feels unpolished, unrefined, or emotionally raw in ways that reflect inexperience. Some see his reliance on grief-driven messaging as overused or emotionally burdensome.
Moreover, the very narrative that propelled him—the tragedy of his brother’s death—can become a double-edged sword. The industry has a problematic habit of packaging trauma for profit, and many observers caution that young artists like him must find identity beyond tragedy.
Still, his authenticity and vulnerability earn him loyalty from fans who feel he’s more than just a teenage rapper chasing clout.
What’s Next for DD Osama?
Looking ahead, some likely paths include:
- Continued mixtapes or a full studio album.
- More mainstream collaborations beyond the drill niche.
- Evolving his lyrical content to reflect maturity, growth, and new life experiences.
- Navigating legal or public scrutiny carefully.
- Building longevity by exploring different soundscapes, not just trauma-based drill.
Given his current momentum, the key will be sustaining relevance, expanding sonic range, and maintaining authenticity as he grows older.
Conclusion
So, when someone asks “DD Osama age”, the direct answer is: he’s 18 as of 2025, born 29 November 2006. But more than that, his youth is an integral part of his story—the pressure, the rawness, the ambition, and the tragedy, all framed through a teenage lens. He’s not just remarkable because he’s young; he’s compelling because he’s making big moves at that age, and his story is still unfolding.
