NBA YoungBoy

Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, known as NBA YoungBoy or YoungBoy Never Broke Again, was born on October 20, 1999, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He had a turbulent childhood — his father was sentenced to 55 years in prison before YoungBoy was born, and he was raised largely by his grandmother. He was involved in street life from an early age and suffered a serious head injury in a shooting at 14 that left him with visible scarring on his forehead. He began recording music seriously at 16 and released a series of mixtapes that built an enormous grassroots following. His prolific output — dozens of projects released across a decade — combined with raw emotional authenticity gave him one of the most dedicated fanbases in hip-hop. Despite numerous legal issues and periods of incarceration, he has continued to release music consistently, breaking YouTube streaming records in the process.

NBA YoungBoy represents a complex legacy in hip-hop. His streaming numbers — among the highest of any rapper on YouTube — demonstrate a genuine, devoted audience that connects deeply with his unfiltered storytelling. He is one of the most prolific artists in modern rap history. His personal struggles, openly documented in his music, have made him a voice for young people from difficult backgrounds who see their own experiences reflected in his lyrics.