YoungBoy Never Broke Again
Biography
Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, known professionally as YoungBoy Never Broke Again (or NBA YoungBoy), was born on October 20, 1999, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His early life was marked by challenges; as a toddler, he broke his neck, requiring a head brace that left permanent scars on his forehead. Raised primarily by his maternal grandmother due to his father's lengthy prison sentence, Gaulden dropped out of high school in the ninth grade. He began writing lyrics while in a juvenile detention center for a robbery charge. After his release, his grandmother passed away, and he moved in with a friend and fellow rapper, OG3Three Never Broke Again.
Music Career
At the age of 14, Gaulden began producing music with a microphone he bought from Walmart. He released his debut mixtape, "Life Before Fame," in 2015. This was followed by a series of other mixtapes, including "Mind of a Menace," "Mind of a Menace 2," and "Before I Go." He gained significant attention with his 2016 mixtape, "38 Baby," which featured fellow Baton Rouge artists like Boosie Badazz and Kevin Gates.
Rise to Fame
Between 2015 and 2017, YoungBoy released eight independent mixtapes, building a strong regional following. In 2017, he signed a deal with Atlantic Records. His singles "Untouchable" and "No Smoke" were his first to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. The 2018 single "Outside Today" became a top 40 hit and was a major breakthrough for him. His debut studio album, "Until Death Call My Name" (2018), peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200.
Chart-Topping Success
YoungBoy's 2019 collaboration with Juice Wrld, "Bandit," became his first top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100. His mixtape "AI YoungBoy 2" (2019) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. In 2020, he released the mixtape "38 Baby 2" and his second studio album, "Top," both of which also reached number one, making him one of the few hip-hop artists to have three number-one albums in a single year. His third studio album, "Sincerely, Kentrell" (2021), also debuted at number one, making him the third artist, after 2Pac and Lil Wayne, to have a number-one album while incarcerated.
Musical Style and Influence
YoungBoy's music is known for its raw and emotional style, with lyrics that often reflect his personal experiences with violence and street life. His style is a blend of traditional rap and modern trends, and he has been influenced by artists such as Lil Wayne and Kevin Gates. He is recognized for his prolific work ethic, having released numerous mixtapes and albums in a short period.
Legal Issues
YoungBoy's career has been marked by a series of legal issues. In 2016, he was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder. He has also faced charges related to assault, kidnapping, and weapons possession over the years. Despite these challenges and periods of incarceration, he has continued to release music prolifically.
Personal Life
As of early 2023, Gaulden is married to Jazlyn Mychelle Hayes, and they have two children together. He is known to have multiple children with several different women. In early 2023, he married Jazlyn Mychelle.