Rapper Lil Tjay has released his first statement following a near fatal shooting earlier this year.

On June 22, Tjay – real name Tione Jayden Merritt – was shot multiple times along with a friend, 22-year-old Antoine Boyd, at a local shopping plaza during an attempted armed robbery. Tjay underwent emergency surgery as a result of the incident.

The rapper posted a video to his Instagram account earlier today (August 24), where he spoke for the first time about the incident.

The rapper said he survived “seven shots” and went on to thank fans who supported him during his recovery.

“I just want to say thanks for the love,” Tjay said in the clip. “Seven shots, it was tough, you know. Most people don’t survive it, but I’m here for a reason. New music coming soon, we’re going to come back stronger than ever.”

Check out the video here.

On June 24, a suspect was arrested just days after the after rapper was shot.

27-year-old Mohamed Konate was arrested by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and New York City Police Department, but was also been admitted to hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.

According to Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Konate allegedly attempted to commit armed robbery against Tjay and two friends as they were walking near The Promenade, a plaza in Edgewater. Merritt was shot multiple times, while Boyd was shot once.

Konate has been charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of first-degree armed robbery, and multiple weapons-related offences. Boyd and Jeffery Valdez, who were both with Tjay during the incident, were initially charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. Tjay has not been charged with any offences.

Tjay released ‘Destined 2 Win’, his second studio album, last year. At the time of the incident, he was readying the release of his new EP, ‘Strictly4MyFans’, which is slated to arrive sometime in 2022.

New music is expected to arrive from the rapper soon.