Being a celebrity barber is all about precision, patience, and professionalism, but sometimes, the biggest challenge isn’t the cut—it’s the client. One barber recently blasted rapper Lil Tjay, recalling what he described as the “worst experience” of his career.
During an interview, the barber detailed the frustrating encounter, calling the Bronx-born rapper “rude, unprofessional,” and outright “disrespectful.” According to the barber, it wasn’t just the lack of a tip that made this experience a nightmare; it was Tjay’s attitude.
The barber recounted that he charged $95 for the service after completing the haircut. Tjay handed him a $100 bill, and the barber assumed the remaining $5 was his tip, a pretty standard practice in service industries. But just as he was leaving the hotel lobby, his phone rang. It was Tjay’s manager asking for the $5 back.
“I had to run back up and hand Lil Tjay a $5 bill from the cut. So I asked, ‘No tip?’ And he said ‘no’ and took his $5 back and went about his day,” the barber revealed.
While some folks might argue that tipping is optional, the barber clarified that it wasn’t just about the money but the principle. “By far the worst experience I’ve ever had cutting any of these famous people,” he emphasized.
According to the barber, the headache started upon his arrival. Tjay allegedly had him waiting around before the cut began, showing little regard for his time. “I’m cutting his hair, he need to stop and roll up,” the barber recalled, describing how Tjay would interrupt the session to smoke. And when it came to actually trusting the process? The rapper wasn’t having it. “I’m trying to fade his sideburns in, he’s moving out the way, telling me not to do it like that. You know, just not really trusting me when, at the end of the day, you called me to do a job.”
Mobile haircuts in NYC come with a wide price range, reflecting the city’s diverse clientele and the convenience of at-home service. Expect to pay a premium compared to traditional barbershops, with basic men’s cuts starting around $80, varying based on stylist experience, location within the city, and service complexity. Celebrity barbers command significantly higher fees, often reaching hundreds or thousands per session, due to their exclusivity, personalized service, and on-demand availability.
The story has already started making rounds online, with fans split on the situation. Some believe Tjay was within his rights to ask for his $5 back if he never intended to tip, while others say his behavior was cheap and disrespectful.
“Imagine being a millionaire and sweating over $5,” one person commented. “Tjay been moving weird for a while. This just confirms it,” another wrote.
Others, however, defended the rapper: “Tipping isn’t mandatory. If he didn’t like the cut, why tip?”
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This barber drama isn’t the only controversy surrounding Lil Tjay lately. The “Beat the Odds” rapper recently found himself banned from Madison Square Garden (MSG) following a spitting incident involving a security guard.
On February 14, 2025, during a boxing match between Keyshawn Davis and Denys Berinchyk at MSG, Tjay attempted to access ringside without proper credentials. When confronted by security, the situation escalated, leading to Tjay spitting on a security guard’s face. The altercation was captured on video and quickly went viral.
In response to the incident, a representative from MSG stated: “Our policy is that patrons that engage in confrontational and disruptive behavior will be escorted out and banned from all MSG properties.” Consequently, Tjay has been permanently banned from the iconic venue.
