YoungBoy Never Broke Again

Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, known professionally as YoungBoy Never Broke Again or NBA YoungBoy, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is one of the most prolific and commercially successful artists of his generation, known for his raw emotional delivery and high-volume output. As of 2026, he has sold over 109 million digital copies in the United States and earned 15 billion YouTube views, ranking among the most streamed rappers on the platform.

Gaulden's music blends Southern hip-hop, trap, and melodic R&B, with lyrics that often explore street life, heartbreak, legal struggles, and family. He has released nine studio albums and numerous mixtapes, with multiple projects debuting at number one on the Billboard 200. He holds the record as the youngest artist in Billboard history to chart 100 songs on the Hot 100 and has the most RIAA platinum-certified albums from 2015 to 2025.

Despite his success, Gaulden's career has been shadowed by legal troubles and a long history of incarcerations and house arrest. He was granted a presidential pardon in 2025. His fanbase, known as the Never Broke Again Family, is intensely loyal, often mobilizing to break streaming records. Gaulden continues to release music and build his independent label, Never Broke Again, which has signed artists like NoCap and Quando Rondo.[edit]

Gaulden grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, raised primarily by his maternal grandmother after his father was sentenced to 55 years in prison. He attended Scotlandville Magnet High School but was expelled in the ninth grade. After a stint in juvenile detention for theft, his grandmother passed away, leaving him to couch-surf among relatives and friends.

He began rapping at 14, recording his first songs on a cheap Walmart microphone. He released his debut mixtape, Life Before Fame, in 2015, which gained local traction. In 2015, he survived a shooting during an attempted robbery, an experience that fueled his music. He continued releasing mixtapes like Mind of a Menace and 38 Baby, building a regional following on YouTube. His breakout moment came when his single "No Smoke" caught the attention of Atlantic Records, leading to a deal in 2017.[edit]

After signing with Atlantic Records in 2017, Gaulden released the singles "Untouchable" and "No Smoke," both entering the Billboard Hot 100. His debut album Until Death Call My Name (2018) peaked at number seven, with the lead single "Outside Today" going quadruple platinum. In 2019, his collaboration with Juice Wrld, "Bandit," became his first top-ten Hot 100 hit, and his mixtape AI YoungBoy 2 debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

In 2020, Gaulden released 38 Baby 2 and his second studio album Top, both debuting at number one, making him the second hip-hop act to achieve three number-one albums in a single year. While incarcerated in 2021, he released Sincerely, Kentrell, which also debuted at number one, making him the third imprisoned artist to top the chart. After leaving Atlantic, he signed with Motown in 2023 and released I Rest My Case and Don't Try This at Home, both top-ten albums. He continued his prolific output with I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders (2024), MASA (2025), and Slime Cry (2026), all charting in the top ten. Gaulden's independent label Never Broke Again has also released music from signees NoCap and Quando Rondo.[edit]

Gaulden's public persona is defined by his raw, emotional music and his frequent legal troubles. He often wears designer streetwear like Balmain and Rick Owens, paired with bandanas and braids. His music videos are typically shot in Baton Rouge or his Los Angeles mansion. The media portrays him as a troubled but prolific cult figure in hip-hop. His fanbase, known as the Never Broke Again Family, is fiercely loyal and frequently engages in streaming wars against other fanbases. On social media, Gaulden is direct and unfiltered, posting cryptic updates, clips of himself recording, and Bible verses.[edit]

YoungBoy Never Broke Again commands a global audience that transcends the boundaries of traditional hip-hop, drawing millions of listeners into his raw, high-volume catalog of street narratives and melodic pain. Despite this massive consumption of his music across digital platforms, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated his current standing and determined that he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings for the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. The data indicates an EVALUATED_UNRANKED status as of August 2026, meaning while his cultural footprint is undeniably vast, he sits outside the specific numeric hierarchy established by the engine at this moment. His dedicated following operates under the documented moniker NBA, a group recognized for its intense loyalty and aggressive engagement with streaming metrics. While the fanbase maintains a fierce presence online, specific organized rituals or external campaigns remain undocumented in the broader cultural record beyond standard social media interaction. This distinction separates the sheer volume of his listeners from a structured, named movement with verified historical milestones in the eyes of the ranking system.[edit]

Kentrell DeSean Gaulden began his musical journey recording his first track on a $20 microphone purchased at Walmart. He legally adopted the middle name "DeSean" to honor his late uncle, who was killed before Gaulden could meet him. A permanent tattoo of his own face sits on his chest, a visual manifestation of his self-reliance. His grandmother bestowed the nickname "YoungBoy," which became the core of his professional identity. As a devout Christian, he frequently shares Bible verses on social media, yet legal restrictions and house arrest have prevented him from ever performing a full concert tour. In August 2026, a significant chapter closed when the 26-year-old revealed a diagnosis of cardiomegaly, or a swollen heart. This condition reportedly ended his touring capabilities and prompted a permanent relocation to South Korea, where he pledged never to return to the United States. During an interview in Seoul, he announced plans to retire after releasing only one or two final albums. These recent disclosures regarding his health and future exit strategy have become the defining narrative of his later career, overshadowing earlier folklore with immediate, personal stakes.[edit]

Gaulden's father, Sherhud Gaulden, is serving a 55-year prison sentence. He was raised by his maternal grandmother, who died while he was in juvenile detention. He has 10 children from multiple relationships, including sons Kayden (born 2016), Kacey (2018), Kodi Capri (2019), Kamiri (2020), Karsen (2021), Kentrell Jr. (2022), and daughters Taniya (2019), Alice (2022), and two others whose names are not publicly disclosed. He owns a home in Los Angeles and a property in Baton Rouge.[edit]

Gaulden has collaborated with Juice Wrld on the hit single "Bandit." He signed NoCap and Quando Rondo to his Never Broke Again label. Birdman served as an early mentor. He has worked with Lil Durk on "No More Parties" and Post Malone on "Take What You Want." DJ Akademiks has been a media supporter and interviewer.[edit]

Gaulden's first public relationship was with Jania Basha, his high school sweetheart, from 2016 to 2018. They have a son, Kayden (born 2016). He then had a short relationship with Nisha (2018–2019), mother of his daughter Kacey (2018). In 2019, he briefly dated Mimi, with whom he had a daughter, Taniya (2019). He dated Shateria Lashay from 2019 to 2020, mother of his son Kodi Capri (2019). With Jazlyn Mychelle (2020–2021), he had a son, Kamiri (2020). He had a brief relationship with Kayla in 2021, resulting in a son, Karsen (2021). He dated Marilyn from 2021 to 2022, with whom he had a son, Kentrell Jr. (2022). In 2022, he had a relationship with Drea, mother of his daughter Alice (2022). He was publicly linked to Iyanna "Yaya" Mayweather, daughter of Floyd Mayweather, in 2022–2023, though no children resulted. He dated Demi from 2023 to 2024, mother of his ninth child (name undisclosed). As of 2026, Gaulden is single and not publicly linked to any partner. He has 10 children total and is focused on his music and probation conditions.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, YoungBoy Never Broke Again holds an estimated net worth of $8 Million. This figure reflects the financial reality of an artist who has generated over $60 million in gross revenue through music streaming and sales, though substantial deductions for legal fees, child support settlements, and taxes have significantly reduced his liquid assets. He continues to earn roughly $3 to $5 million annually from catalog royalties alone. Gaulden founded Never Broke Again LLC, a label that drives additional revenue through artist releases and merchandise operations. Brand endorsements remain minimal due to his complex public image. His real estate portfolio includes a multi-million dollar Los Angeles home acquired in 2021 for approximately $3.5 million and a property in Baton Rouge. The specifics of his broader investment portfolio remain private.[edit]

Gaulden has won one ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Award in 2020 for his songwriting on "Winning" and one BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Award in 2021 for "Make No Sense." Despite his commercial success, he has not won major mainstream awards, with three BET Hip Hop Award nominations and one Grammy nomination.[edit]