His Upbringing & Childhood
NBA YoungBoy, born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, came into the world on October 20, 1999, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Raised mainly by his grandmother, he had to grow up quickly due to difficult family circumstances. His father was sentenced to 55 years in prison, and his childhood was marked by struggle, instability, and survival. These hardships helped shape the raw and emotional tone of his music. He dropped out of school in 9th grade to pursue a rap career full-time and quickly gained local buzz with his early mixtapes.
Rise to Fame
After releasing mixtapes like Life Before Fame, Mind of a Menace, and 38 Baby, YoungBoy started to attract national attention. His breakout track "Outside Today" helped launch him into the mainstream, and soon after, he was signed to Atlantic Records. Despite being arrested several times throughout his career, he continued to release music prolifically. His fan base grew rapidly due to his emotionally honest lyrics, real-life stories, and tireless output.