You’ve seen the face. You’ve heard the gritty, high-energy bars blasting from a passing car or scrolling through your FYP. If you've spent any time following the New York drill scene over the last few years, DD Osama is a name that is impossible to miss. He is a face of a movement, a kid from Harlem who became a superstar before he could legally buy a pack of cigarettes. But behind the stage name that sounds like something out of a 2000s news report, there is a real person.
So, let's get right to it. DD Osama's real name is David DeShaun Reyes.
Some people get it twisted and think "DD" stands for something complicated. Honestly? It's just a nickname for David. Simple. No hidden industry secrets there. He was born on November 29, 2006, which makes him a Sagittarius for the astrology fans out there. But David isn't just a solo act; his name is inextricably linked to a family legacy that is as tragic as it is successful.
The Harlem Roots of David Reyes
David grew up in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem. If you know anything about Manhattan, you know Sugar Hill has a deep history, but David’s version of it was shaped by modern drill culture. He wasn't some industry plant. He was a kid in a crowded house. He is one of six siblings.
Think about that for a second.
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Six kids.
Growing up in that environment, you have to find a way to stand out. David found his voice through music, but he didn't do it alone. He started out making tracks with his brothers, specifically JStar Balla and Notti Osama. They literally built a makeshift studio in their grandmother's house. That is peak New York energy right there—turning a corner of a small apartment into a hit factory because you have a dream and nowhere else to go.
Why the "Osama" name?
People always ask about the "Osama" part. In the world of New York drill, names like "Osama" or "Bin Laden" (like Shawny Binladen) are often adopted as a way to signal "danger" or being "explosive" on the track. It’s a shock-value thing. It’s part of the persona. David Reyes became DD Osama to fit the aesthetic of the gritty, aggressive music coming out of the Bronx and Harlem.
The Tragedy That Changed Everything
You can't talk about DD Osama real name without talking about the person who shared half of it: Notti Osama.
Notti's real name was Ethan Reyes. He was David’s younger brother. In July 2022, the world of the Reyes family was turned upside down when 14-year-old Ethan was fatally stabbed in a Harlem subway station. It was a beef that went wrong. A physical altercation that ended in the worst way possible.
David didn't just lose a rap partner; he lost his "evil twin."
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The song "Dead Opps," which featured both brothers, blew up shortly after the tragedy. It’s a dark reality of the music business: sometimes the most horrific moments lead to the biggest spikes in fame. David had to navigate becoming a global rap star while mourning a brother who was still just a freshman in high school.
It changed his music. It changed his face. If you watch his older videos compared to the new ones, the "David" behind the "DD" looks a lot older than his years.
More Than Just a Drill Rapper
David is Dominican-American. That heritage is a huge part of who he is, even if the drill beats sometimes mask it. He's talked in interviews about how much his background matters to him. He’s not just some kid rapping for clout; he’s trying to provide for a family that has seen more than its fair share of 137th Street drama.
His career has moved fast. Since 2022, he’s gone from a local Harlem kid to:
- Touring with Lil Durk on the "Sorry for the Drought" tour.
- Collaborating with Coi Leray and Lil Mabu.
- Amassing millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok.
- Modeling for Drake’s Nocta line with Nike.
He’s roughly 5'5" or 5'6" (depending on who you ask and what shoes he’s wearing), but his presence is massive. He’s been called the "Drill Justin Bieber" because of his massive female fanbase. It’s a weird mix. On one hand, you have the "Osama" persona—gritty, street-focused, and aggressive. On the other, you have David Reyes—a young man with a "pretty boy" image that has teenage girls screaming at his shows.
The Future for David Reyes
As we move through 2026, David is maturing. He’s no longer the 15-year-old kid who was thrust into the spotlight by a family tragedy. He’s an adult in the industry now. The "DD Osama" name will probably stick—it’s a brand at this point—but the music is evolving.
He's moving away from just "diss tracks" and into a more polished, mainstream sound. You can hear it in his debut mixtape, Here 2 Stay. There’s more melody. There’s more reflection. He’s grappling with the fact that he made it out of the trenches, but at a cost that no one should have to pay.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you're following David's journey or trying to build a career in a similar space, here is what you should take away from the story of DD Osama:
- Authenticity Wins: David and Notti started in a grandma's house. Don't wait for a professional studio to start creating. Use what you have.
- Turn Pain into Purpose: David used the grief of losing Ethan to fuel his work ethic. It’s a heavy burden, but he didn't let it break his career.
- Diversify Your Brand: He isn't just rapping. He’s modeling, doing celebrity basketball games, and building a social media empire.
- Stay Focused: The streets that David came from are dangerous. His story is a reminder that while the music sounds "cool," the real-life consequences of the lifestyle are permanent.
David DeShaun Reyes is a name you’re going to keep hearing. Whether he stays in the drill lane or pivots to full-blown pop stardom, the foundation he built in Harlem is unshakable. He’s living for two people now. And that kind of motivation is hard to beat.
Next Steps to Understand the Scene:
- Check out the "Dead Opps" music video to see the chemistry between David and Ethan.
- Listen to the lyrics of "Leave Me" to hear the more vulnerable side of David Reyes.
- Follow his official channels to see his transition from Harlem drill into the global fashion and music space.