The Rise of Underground Rap Sensation OsamaSon

Amari Deshawn Middleton, better known by his stage name OsamaSon, has emerged as one of the most exciting figures in the underground rap scene. Born on May 20, 2003, in Columbus, Ohio and raised in Goose Creek, South Carolina, OsamaSon has quickly built a substantial following across multiple platforms while carving out a distinctive niche in the contemporary hip-hop landscape.^[2]^[3]

From 10 Jobs to Rap Stardom

Before finding success in music, OsamaSon worked a remarkable 10 different jobs, including positions at Sky Zone, Wendy's, Walmart, UPS, FedEx, a warehouse moving lumber, a grocery store, and overnight shifts at a hotel. His final job before becoming a full-time artist was working overnight shifts (11 PM to 7 AM) at a hotel, where he would finish work, go home to make music until noon, sleep, and then repeat the cycle. This extraordinary work ethic would later translate into his music career, where his persistence eventually paid off with viral hits.^[14]^[1]

Musical Journey and Breakthrough

OsamaSon began making music in 2020 under the name PradaUMari before adopting his current moniker in 2021. His early projects included EPs titled "I'm Da Man," "Vengeance," and "Carnival." However, it wasn't until early 2023 that he experienced his breakthrough moment with the release of "Cts-V," which gained significant traction online. His popularity further increased when internet personalities like BruceDropEmOff played his tracks during livestreams.^[2]

Following his initial success, OsamaSon released "Troops" in June 2023 as the lead single from his debut studio album, "Osama Season." The album, released in July 2023, received positive reviews from music critics, with publications like Pitchfork and The Fader highlighting standout tracks such as "Werkin," "Kutta," "Summer Sixteen," "Anti," and "X & Sex." His subsequent albums, "Flex Musix" (December 2023) and "Jump Out" (January 2025), have further cemented his position in the rap scene, with the latter earning "Best New Music" recognition from Pitchfork.^[2]^[13]

Touring and Collaborations

In October 2023, OsamaSon embarked on the Next Gen Tour alongside fellow rappers Kankan, Summrs, Highway, and producer F1lthy, expanding his audience and strengthening his position in the underground rap community. He has also collaborated with artists like Xaviersobased on projects such as the "#BASEDSLiME" EP, further showcasing his versatility and growing influence in the scene.^[2]^[12]^[3]

Digital Presence and Fan Engagement

OsamaSon has built a substantial following across multiple platforms. As of May 2025, he boasts over 482,000 followers on Instagram, 121,000 subscribers on YouTube, and impressively crosses the million mark with approximately 1,048,834 monthly listeners on Spotify. His most popular tracks have garnered millions of plays, with his top songs reaching well over 17 million streams. His track "ik what you did last summer" has become particularly successful with nearly 8 million plays.^[4]^[5]^[8]^[6]

His audience predominantly consists of younger listeners from major cities, with significant followings in metropolitan areas. On Spotify, his fan base continues to grow steadily, with recent statistics showing over 318,000 followers on the platform. Based on YouTube earnings estimates, his digital content generates between $725-$2,380 monthly, with a calculated net worth between $9,260 and $55,600 from his online presence alone.^[7]^[8]

Musical Style and Creative Identity

OsamaSon's music is categorized as "underground hip hop rage rap," characterized by energetic beats and a distinctive vocal style. While he has been noted for drawing inspiration from other artists, particularly Playboi Carti, critics have observed that he has gradually developed his own unique sound. His third album, "Jump Out," has been described as his "most bone-shattering work to date" with a sound that is "as distinct as it's ever been."^[11]^[8]^[9]

Known for his creative approach to visual aesthetics as well, OsamaSon takes inspiration from other artists and previous cover arts for his own music, paying homage to influential figures in the industry while developing his personal artistic identity. This visual awareness complements his sonic evolution, creating a cohesive artistic package that resonates with his growing audience.^[9]

Challenges and Growth

Like many digital-era artists, OsamaSon has faced challenges including leaked music. In December 2024, he cleared his Instagram account after multiple songs, presumably intended for his third album "Jump Out," leaked online. This wasn't his first experience with leaks, as his team had previously compiled two different compilations titled "Leaks Tape" featuring ten songs each. Despite these setbacks, he has maintained momentum and continued to build his career, with "Jump Out" eventually receiving critical acclaim upon its official release in January 2025.^[10]

Media Recognition

OsamaSon has gained recognition from prominent music publications. In February 2025, Pitchfork awarded his album "Jump Out" the "Best New Music" designation, with reviewer Olivier Lafontant praising it as his "most volatile and electrifying work to date." The review acknowledged that while at 18 tracks the album can at times feel exhausting, "its torrential downpour of synths and 808s is ultimately rewarding." He has also been featured in The Fader, which described him as "one of the underground's hottest rappers."^[11]^[12]^[13]

His growing influence in the underground rap scene was further highlighted when he was interviewed for the "Well Well Well" series by Our Generation Music, where he discussed his journey, inspirations, and creative process. In this candid interview, viewers got a glimpse of his personality beyond the music, as he participated in activities ranging from dunking contests to drawing sessions and thoughtful reflections on his achievements.^[14]

OsamaSon

OsamaSon

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