YG | |
|---|---|
 YG in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson (1990-03-09)March 9, 1990 (age 35) Compton, California, U.S. |
| Genres | West Coast hip-hop |
| Occupations |
|
| Works | YG discography |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | 4hunnid |
| Signature | |
 | |
Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson[1] (born March 9, 1990),[2] better known by his stage nameYG (short forYoungGangsta), is an American rapper. He released his debut mixtape4Fingaz in 2008, and its follow-up,The Real 4Fingaz, the following year. The latter gained recognition for its local hit song "Toot It and Boot It", which entered theBillboard Hot 100 at number 67 and receivedplatinum certification by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[3] He signed a recording contract withDef Jam Recordings in October 2009, which entered joint-venture withAtlanta-based rapperJeezy's record label,CTE World, in 2013.[4]
His 2013 single, "My Nigga" (featuring Jeezy andRich Homie Quan), peaked at number 19 on theBillboard Hot 100. The song and its follow-ups, "Left, Right" (featuringDJ Mustard) and "Who Do You Love?" (featuringDrake), preceded the release of his debut studio album,My Krazy Life (2014), which peaked at number two on theBillboard 200 and saw positive critical reception. Also in 2014, he guest appeared onJeremih's single "Don't Tell 'Em", which peaked at number six on the Hot 100 and remains his highest-charting song. His second album,Still Brazy (2016), was met with critical acclaim despite less commercial orientation, as it explored political and social issues for its subject matter.[5]
His next three studio albums —Stay Dangerous (2018),4Real 4Real (2019), andMy Life 4Hunnid (2020) — each debuted within theBillboard 200's top ten; the former spawned the single "Big Bank" (featuring2 Chainz,Big Sean andNicki Minaj), which peaked at number 16 on theBillboard Hot 100 and remains his highest-charting song as a lead artist. His sixth album,I Got Issues (2022) moderately entered the chart and served as his final release on Def Jam;Just Re'd Up 3 (2025), narrowly entered theBillboard 200. His collaborative albums,Kommunity Service (2021) withMozzy andHit Me When U Leave the Klub: The Playlist (2023) withTyga, were both released independently and met with critical praise.[6]
Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson was born on March 9, 1990, inCompton, California.[2][7] He grew up on the 400 block of West Spruce Street in Compton, California. The 400 block name would inspire his "4hunnid" tag, along with the names of his record label and streetwear brands.[8][9] His stage name "YG" stands for "Young Gangsta."[10] YG joined thePirus in 2006 at age 16.[11] His father served time in jail for tax fraud.[12]
YG created the "Pu$haz Ink" record label and group withDJ Mustard in 2008.[13] After releasing several songs that garnered him a large following on the internet, such as "She A Model" and "Aim Me" YG signed to Def Jam in 2009.[14] According to Max Gousse, the senior VP of A&R at Island/Def Jam who inked the rapper, the signing stemmed from a newfound emphasis on West Coast artists by label president/CEOL.A. Reid, as well as, YG's technical ability and stage presence.[15] However, just as he was getting his buzz up in mid-2009, he was arrested on a parole violation, stemming from a previous charge of residential burglary.[13] Following this, he worked on mixtapes, touring, and a clothing line based on his brand, 4Hunnid.[16] Def Jam re-released "Toot It and Boot It," which features singerTy Dolla Sign in June 2010, and became the rapper's firsthit song.[13] He was also included as part ofXXL's 2011 Freshmen Class.[17] Beginning with YG's mixtapeThe Real 4 Fingaz, Mustard began further producing on YG's projects. Their work resulted in songs such as "I'm Good", "Bitches Ain't Shit" featuring Tyga andNipsey Hussle, and "You Broke", also featuringNipsey Hussle. The singles were met with moderate success, but not near as much as his debut single.[18][19]
In 2012, he announced his debut album, then titled “I'm 4rm Bompton”. Later in June 2013, he revealed that Jeezy's record labelCTE World would release the album.[20] He was then featured onYo Gotti's "Act Right" also featuring Jeezy. It would peak at number 100 on theBillboard Hot 100.[21] He was then prominently featured on the CTE World mixtape,Boss Yo Life Up Gang in August 2013.[22]
On September 4, 2013, YG revealed that his debut album would be released on November 19, 2013, viaDef Jam Recordings and that he has changed the album title toMy Krazy Life. He also revealed thatDrake would be featured on a song titled "Who Do You Love?", produced by DJ Mustard. Shortly thereafter he released the album'slead single "My Nigga" featuringRich Homie Quan and Jeezy, also produced by DJ Mustard.[23] The song has since peaked at number 19 on the USBillboard Hot 100.[24] On December 10, 2013, YG released the DJ Mustard-produced "Left, Right" as the album's second single.[25] The following day, Def Jam announced thatMy Krazy Life would be released on March 18, 2014[26] and that "Who Do You Love?" featuring Drake would be the album's next single.[27] On February 18, 2014, YG revealed the cover artwork for his debut albumMy Krazy Life. The artwork features YG posing for a mugshot, with his name and album title detailed in the placard around his neck.[28] It was released on March 18, 2014.
On June 24, 2015, in an interview withBillboard, YG revealed that his second studio album would be calledStill Krazy and it would be released in 2015[29] On July 15, 2015, YG teased the first single for the album, "Twist My Fingaz" onInstagram.[30] The same day, YG released the single, "Cash Money" featuringKrayzie Bone.[31] The full version of "Twist My Fingaz" was released July 17, 2015.[32] On December 12, 2015, he released the second single, titled "I Want a Benz" featuring rappersNipsey Hussle and50 Cent.[33]
Still Brazy was released on June 17, 2016. The third single "Why You Always Hatin?" premiered on OVO Sound Radio on May 21, 2016, featuring rappersDrake andKamaiyah.[34] On November 25, 2016, he digitally released theBlack Friday inspiredRed Friday, containing 8 new tracks.[35]
YG announced through social mediaJust Re'd Up 3: Know Your Worth on December 17, 2016, and again on March 16, 2017. The project was to be executively produced DJ Mustard. It has yet to release, with no comment from YG or DJ Mustard.[36]
On February 3, 2017, the song "I Don't", by American singerMariah Carey was released, featuring YG.[37] Carey and YG performed "I Don't" live onJimmy Kimmel Live! on February 15, 2017.[38] On March 24, 2017, a remix featuringRemy Ma and YG was released.[39][40]
On February 19, 2018, YG announced his third studio album would beStay Dangerous on his Instagram page and would be released this summer. It was released in 2018.
On April 3, 2019, YG announced a "surprise album" titled4Real 4Real via Twitter originally due for release on April 12, being delayed to May 24 due to the death of his close friendNipsey Hussle. It was released to positive reviews. The album includes the single "Go Loko" and the diss track aimed at6ix9ine, "Stop Snitchin".[41]
As of 2020, YG has released a number of songs, including the protest track, "FTP (Fuck the Police)", with the video shot at aBlack Lives Matter protest in Hollywood, following themurder of George Floyd. He also joinedPublic Enemy, alongside Nas, Questlove, and Rapsody, among others, at the 2020 BET Awards for a performance of Public Enemy's classic track "Fight the Power". On July 10, YG released the single "War", with a video where he is dressed as footballerColin Kaepernick.[42]
On September 15, 2020, YG took to his social media to announce his new albumMy Life 4Hunnid, which was released on October 2, 2020. The album was entirely recorded during theCOVID-19 pandemic and was "highly influenced" by 2Pac. The same week, he released the single "Money Mouf", withSaweetie andTyga. On September 23, 2020, YG released the single, "Out on Bail", inspired by2Pac's song of the same name.[43]
YG's 2014 song "Meet the Flockers" sparked accusations ofracism against the Asian American community, especiallyChinese Americans, in 2021. In the song, YG raps "First, you find a house and scope it out / Find a Chinese neighborhood, cause they don't believe in bank accounts." In the succeeding lyrics, YG describes ahome invasion andburglary.[44] Receiving little controversy when first released, over the years the song accumulated media attention, scrutiny, and protest.[45] By 2021, community members, politicians such as San Francisco SupervisorJane Kim, andYouTube employees demanded that the song be removed from YouTube.[46][47] YouTube stated that the song's lyrics did violate itshate speech policies, but refused to remove the song on artistic grounds.[46] YG has described "Meet the Flockers" as being representative of the culture he grew up in, and alluded to past experiences committing crimes.[48] By 2021, the song was reuploaded to streaming platforms with the controversial lyrics edited out.[49]
On May 3, 2021, YG announced his first collaborative album, withSacramento rapperMozzy.[50] It was announced under the working titlePerfect Timing, but was later changed toKommunity Service and released on May 21, 2021. The cover art serves as a tribute to late rapperDMX and the filmBelly, in which he starred in.[51] The album was supported by two singles: "Bompton to Oak Park" and "Perfect Timing" featuringBlxst.[50]
Since his collaboration with Mozzy, YG has released two more projects: his sixth studio album, 2022'sI Got Issues and 2024'sJust Re'd Up 3.[52][53] YG also performed atThe Pop Out: Ken and Friends, a 2024Kendrick Lamar concert occurring in the wake of theLamar-Drake feud.[54]
| 4Hunnid Records | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 2015; 10 years ago (2015) |
| Founder | YG Brandon Z. Moore |
| Distributor | Epic Records |
| Genre | Hip hop |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Compton, California |
| Official website | 4hunnid |
When YG originally came up with the idea for a label (originally titled Pushaz Ink, stylized as Pu$haz Ink), he later attempted to co-found it with DJ Mustard and Ty Dolla $ign.[55] Originally the "label" was used as a promotional tool and a brand for YG and DJ Mustard's group of rap collaborators they had grown up with. But as they moved forward in laying the groundwork for the label and its roster, plans for the label were scrapped when their meeting with Capitol failed and the three artists decided to go their separate ways.[56]
There were rumors throughout 2016 that YG would be launching a new label under the name4Hunnid. They originally begun when YG released a fashion line prominently featuring the 4Hunnid logo. This was confirmed to be true on August 17, 2016, when Billboard magazine reported that YG signed a distribution deal for the label under the 4Hunnid name withInterscope Records andEmpire Distribution.[56] The name is a reference to the 400 block of West Spruce Street in Compton, CA, where he grew up.[57][58]
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YG has two daughters from a previous relationship named Harmony and Vibe, born May 2015 and May 2019, respectively. YG is a member of theCompton-based Westside Tree Top Piru gang.[59][60] On January 25, 2012, shots were fired during the filming of YG's music video "I'm a Thug". The police shut down and closed the set.[60][61]
On June 12, 2015, YG was shot in the hip at a recording studio inStudio City, California, resulting in three separate wounds in his hip.[62][63] Authorities said that YG was "very uncooperative" when asked about the incident. His manager later revealed that his injuries were not life-threatening and said he was "fine" and recovering.[64] He returned to the studio the next day.[65]
A 2018 robbery case against YG was dismissed in 2022 after hesettled with a man who alleged that the rapper stole achain from him in a Las Vegas casino. The chain was worth between $3,000-$9,000.[66]
In 2019, aCadillac Escalade owned by YG was involved in a shooting andpolice chase from Compton toInglewood, California.[67][68]
On September 6, 2019, it was confirmed that he and singerKehlani were dating.[69] As of 2023, YG was dating rapperSaweetie.[70]
In January 2020, YG was arrested at hisSouthern California home onrobbery charges. He was set to perform a Nipsey Hussle tribute atthe Grammys several days before the arrest.[71] He was held on $250,000bail at theMen's Central Jail forarraignment on January 28, 2020.[72] Charges against YG were ultimately not filed.[66]
YG is a notable fan of theLos Angeles Rams NFL team,[73] and was known to have befriended then-running backTodd Gurley.[74] He was frequently spotted wearing a Rams home jersey in several video shoots and at several Rams’ home games, including one instance during the 2017 season against theHouston Texans in which Rams’ receiverRobert Woods caught a touchdown and jumped onto the table in the back of the endzone to celebrate alongside YG.[75]
In October 2024, YG was arrested fordriving under the influence.[76][77]
On March 28, 2025, YG released a single called "2004" featuringBuddy and The Gang, in which he opened up about having been raped and taken advantage of sexually by an older woman when he was a minor.[78]
Studio albums
Collaborative albums
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | We the Party | C.C. | Support role |
| Mac & Devin Go to High School | Student/Smoker | Cameo | |
| White T | YG | Performer | |
| 2014 | Blame It On the Streets | YG | Main role; also executive producer and writer |
| 2018 | White Boy Rick | Leo Curry | Support role |
| 2020 | Dave | Himself | |
| 2021 | The Demi Lovato Show | Himself | Episode: "YG Uses His Voice"[79] |
| 2022 | Good Mourning | Party Cameo | |
| 2025 | Night Patrol | [80] |
| Year | Awards | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | BET Awards[88] | Best Collaboration | "My Nigga" (withYoung Jeezy andRich Homie Quan) | Nominated |
| BET Hip Hop Awards[89] | Best Collabo, Duo or Group | Won | ||
| Best Club Banger | Nominated | |||
| People's Champ Award | "My Nigga (Remix)" (withLil Wayne,Nicki Minaj,Meek Mill and Rich Homie Quan) | Nominated | ||
| Best Club Banger | "Cut Her Off (Remix)" (withK Camp,Lil Boosie and Too Short) | Nominated | ||
| Rookie of the Year | — | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | iHeartRadio Music Awards[90] | Hip Hop/R&B Song of the Year | "Don't Tell 'Em" (withJeremih) | Won |
| Billboard Music Awards[91] | Top R&B Song | Nominated | ||
| MTV Europe Music Awards[92] | Best World Stage Performance | — | Nominated |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
