The Rise of NBA Youngboy

From a kid with a broken neck in Baton Rouge to a chart-topping force in hip-hop, NBA YoungBoy’s story is wild. Born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, YoungBoy started out recording tracks on a Walmart microphone and hustled his way up with eight independent mixtapes by 2017. Known for his relentless work ethic, he signed with Atlantic Records and dropped hits like 'Untouchable' and 'No Smoke', making his first marks on the Billboard Hot 100. The release of 'AI YoungBoy' put him on the map, leading to his first chart-topping mixtape and a rise that only got hotter with tracks like 'Outside Today', which cracked the top 40, and 'Bandit' with Juice Wrld, his first top 10 hit. Despite his legal issues, including time behind bars, YoungBoy dropped albums like 'Top' and 'Sincerely, Kentrell', both hitting number one on the Billboard 200. His music, raw and deeply personal, reflects his tumultuous life, connecting with fans on a visceral level. From beefing with other rappers to giving back to his community, YoungBoy is a complex figure who’s rewriting the rules of the game. Whether it’s his legal drama, his unfiltered lyrics, or his unwavering determination, he’s a name that’s impossible to ignore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices