Introduction
NBA YoungBoy, born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, has become one of the most streamed and influential new rappers of recent years. With an early talent for lyrical flow and beatmaking, YoungBoy tapped into his abilities to produce multiple hit tracks starting as a teenager. But even with his meteoric rise to hip-hop stardom, some fans still wonder—how old is NBA YoungBoy?
Exploring NBA YoungBoy’s Age
According to official record, NBA YoungBoy was born on October 20, 1999. As of [CURRENT YEAR], that makes him 24 years old. He was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he lived a turbulent early life and turned to music as an emotional outlet. By age 17 he had already built major buzz with mixtapes like Mind of a Menace 3 and 38 Baby.
YoungBoy first hit the Billboard charts in 2017 at age 17 with his mixtape AI YoungBoy, then reached #1 in 2020 with Top at age 20. So although he’s still early in his career, NBA YoungBoy has packed a lot into his first two decades plus of life so far.
Early Life and Path to Music
Long before his rise to stardom, NBA YoungBoy (then known as Kentrell Gaulden) had a challenging upbringing. He was born to a 16-year-old mother and raised primarily by his maternal grandmother due to his mother’s young age.
According to an interview with The Fader, YoungBoy and his family moved homes frequently, over 14 times by the time he was 14. This instability required him to transfer schools often and also left him vulnerable to the violence of the streets.
As a young teen, YoungBoy began making homemade mix tapes and songs to process the trauma and loss he witnessed growing up. His early tracks showed promise, leading the young artist to pursue music more seriously. Though still a teen, he quickly built a strong regional buzz.
The Meaning Behind NBA YoungBoy’s Stage Name
In 2014, talent manager and label head Floyd Mayweather took interest in the young rapper and offered to sign him. It was Mayweather who gave YoungBoy the stage name “NBA YoungBoy”, standing for:
- Never Broke Again
- National Basketball Association
The name ties together themes of financial success and basketball greatness that the ambitious young artist aspired to. YoungBoy was later signed to Atlantic Records and has since lived up to his name many times over.
YoungBoy’s Rise to Fame
NBA YoungBoy kicked off his career in 2015 with the release of his first mixtape, Life Before Fame. At just 16 years old, he quickly followed it up with his sophomore release Mind of a Menace 3 in 2016.
Powered by a trio of regional hit songs, the mixtape began generating millions of online streams. It also caught the attention of YoungBoy’s future manager and Atlantic’s A&R scout.
After signing his major label deal, YoungBoy achieved his first Billboard chart placement in 2017 with AI YoungBoy. The full-length debuted at #24 on the main albums chart.
Hitting #1 and Streaming Dominance
In the past half decade, NBA YoungBoy has ascended into one of the most dominant new acts in hip-hop. He’s achieved especially profound success on streaming platforms:
- YoungBoy was the #1 artist on YouTube in 2020 in the U.S.
- He was the second most-streamed artist overall that year with over 9.7 billion U.S. streams
- YoungBoy became the first artist ever to debut six consecutive releases at #1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart
Thanks to this streaming prowess and chart dominance, NBA YoungBoy has cemented himself as a prime player redefining the sound of modern hip-hop.
Current Age and Continued Success
As YoungBoy enters his mid-20s in 2024, his career continues its incredible rise. He just released new single “I Rest My Case” in January from an upcoming project.
With additional 2023 singles “Walk” and “Purge Me” having already gone platinum, YoungBoy’s steady stream of releases keep catching fire. It ensures his reign will continue as the rapper strives for even greater goals ahead.
So for those still wondering after his years in the spotlight, NBA YoungBoy is now 24 years old. And by all indications, music fans can continue expecting great things from the influential artist for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About NBA YoungBoy’s Age
Here are answers to some common questions fans have about NBA YoungBoy’s age and background:
Q: When is NBA YoungBoy’s birthday?
A: NBA YoungBoy was born on October 20, 1999. So his birthday is October 20th each year. In 2024, he will turn 25 years old on his next birthday.
Q: Where did NBA YoungBoy grow up?
A: YoungBoy grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He faced poverty and violence from a young age in Baton Rouge, which influenced his early music.
Q: How old was NBA YoungBoy when he first got famous?
A: YoungBoy was 16 years old in 2015 when he started generating buzz with mixtapes like Life Before Fame. By 17 he began placing albums on the Billboard charts as his career took off.
Q: What NBA YoungBoy albums went to #1?
A: YoungBoy earned his first #1 album in 2020 with Top. He then broke the record for consecutive #1 debuts with his next five releases: Sincerely, Kentrell; Colors; The Last Slimeto; 3800 Degrees; and Ma’ I Got a Family.
Q: Who did NBA YoungBoy name himself after?
A: YoungBoy’s stage name NBA YoungBoy was given to him by Floyd Mayweather. It stands for “Never Broke Again” and the NBA (National Basketball Association), referring to financial success and basketball greatness.