YG, an American rapper hailing from Compton, California, gained recognition in 2010 with his debut single "Toot It and Boot It" featuring Ty Dolla Sign, reaching number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 and leading to his signing with Def Jam Recordings. Over the years, he released several mixtapes like The Real 4Fingaz, Just Re'd Up, Just Re'd Up 2, and 4 Hunnid Degreez. In 2013, YG signed with Young Jeezy's CTE World, and his single "My Nigga" featuring Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan peaked at number 19 on the Hot 100. His debut studio album, My Krazy Life, dropped in 2014 and received both commercial success and critical acclaim. Subsequent albums, including Still Brazy (2016), Stay Dangerous (2018), and 4Real 4Real (2019), further solidified his standing in the hip-hop scene. YG continued his musical journey with My Life 4Hunnid (2020) and I Got Issues (2022). His stage moniker YG is an abbreviation of Young Gangster.
YG is a Compton-born American rapper. He is famous for his debut single "Toot It and Boot It" featuring Ty Dolla Sign, which reached number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100. He has released successful albums like My Krazy Life (2014), Still Brazy (2016), and 4Real 4Real (2019), along with mixtapes such as The Real 4Fingaz and Just Re'd Up series. YG's discography includes hit tracks like "My Nigga" featuring Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan, "Left, Right" featuring DJ Mustard, and "Big Bank" featuring 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Nicki Minaj. He has also appeared in various films and shows.
Born with the real name of Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson on March 9, 1990, in Compton, California, United States, YG grew up on the 400 block of West Spruce Street in Compton, CA, which became the inspiration for his "4hunnid" tag, also the name of his record label and streetwear brands. He is American by nationality and belongs to the African-American ethnicity, following the Christian religion. As of 2023, he celebrated his 33rd birthday. YG's father had legal troubles, serving time in jail for tax fraud, while his mother, Shonee Jackson, worked at McDonald's. At the age of 16, YG got involved in gang activity and became a member of the Compton-based Westside Tree Top Piru, a "Bloods" gang, in 2006. He attended Paramount High School in Los Angeles and also studied at Mayfair High School, though he did not complete his education.
YG, along with DJ Mustard, founded the "Pu$haz Ink" record label and group in 2008. He gained popularity with internet-released tracks like "She A Model" and "Aim Me" before signing with Def Jam in 2009. The signing was influenced by a renewed focus on West Coast artists by label president/CEO L.A. Reid and YG's impressive skills and stage presence. However, his rise was temporarily halted in 2009 due to an arrest on a parole violation. During this time, he worked on mixtapes, tours, and his clothing line, 4Hunnid. His breakout hit "Toot It and Boot It" featuring Ty Dolla Sign helped establish his reputation further. Collaborating heavily with DJ Mustard, they produced tracks like "I'm Good," "Bitches Ain't Shit" featuring Tyga and Nipsey Hussle, and "You Broke" featuring Nipsey Hussle. In 2012, he announced his debut album, initially titled "I'm 4rm Bompton," which was later released under Jeezy's record label CTE World and renamed "My Krazy Life." The album featured successful singles like "My Nigga" with Rich Homie Quan and Jeezy, and "Left, Right," both produced by DJ Mustard. The album was released on March 18, 2014, through Def Jam Recordings.
YG revealed in a Billboard interview on June 24, 2015, that his second studio album would be named Still Krazy and was set for release later that year. He teased the first single, "Twist My Fingaz," on Instagram on July 15, 2015, and released the full version on July 17. Another single, "Cash Money," featuring Krayzie Bone, was released the same day. On December 12, 2015, he dropped the second single, "I Want a Benz," featuring Nipsey Hussle and 50 Cent. Still Brazy, the album, was released on June 17, 2016, and included the third single "Why You Always Hatin?" featuring Drake and Kamaiyah. On November 25, 2016, he digitally released the Black Friday-inspired Red Friday with eight new tracks. He also announced a project titled Just Re'd Up 3: Know Your Worth, executively produced by DJ Mustard but has yet to release. In 2017, YG featured in Mariah Carey's song "I Don't," performing it live with her on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and later a remix with Remy Ma. In February 2018, he announced his third studio album, Stay Dangerous, which was released later that year. On April 3, 2019, he revealed a "surprise album," 4Real 4Real, originally set for April 12 but delayed to May 24 due to the death of his close friend Nipsey Hussle. The album featured the single "Go Loko" and a diss track targeting 6ix9ine, titled "Stop Snitchin."
In 2020, YG made a significant impact with his music, releasing notable songs like the protest track "FTP (Fuck the Police)" and joining Public Enemy for a powerful performance of "Fight the Power" at the 2020 BET Awards. He continued his activism by releasing the single "War" dressed as Colin Kaepernick. On September 15, 2020, he announced his album My Life 4Hunnid, which was heavily influenced by 2Pac and entirely recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. He released the single "Money Mouf" with Saweetie and Tyga, as well as "Out on Bail", inspired by 2Pac's song of the same name. In 2021, YG announced his first collaborative album with Mozzy, titled Kommunity Service, released on May 21, 2021, with a cover art tribute to the late rapper DMX and the film Belly. The album included singles "Bompton to Oak Park" and "Perfect Timing" featuring Blxst.
In 2015, YG came up with the idea for a record label initially called Pushaz Ink, alongside DJ Mustard and Ty Dolla $ign. However, the plans for the label were put on hold after a meeting with Capitol did not go as expected, leading them to go their separate ways. In 2016, rumors circulated that YG would be launching a new label named 4Hunnid, which was confirmed on August 17, 2016, when Billboard reported that YG signed a distribution deal for the label under the 4Hunnid name with Interscope Records and Empire Distribution. The name 4Hunnid pays homage to the 400 block of West Spruce Street in Compton, CA, where YG grew up, and the label serves as both a promotional tool and a brand for YG and his group of rap collaborators. The label has been making strides in the hip-hop industry and has become an integral part of YG's ventures beyond his successful music career.
YG is currently unmarried and has yet to tie the knot, but he is in a relationship with his beautiful girlfriend, Saweetie who is a rapper and TV personality. Their romance began in May 2023, and they are both enjoying their time together. Saweetie is an accomplished American rapper, singer, composer, and TV personality, and the couple seems to be relishing their present life together. Concerning his sexuality, he is straight and he is not gay.
Previously, YG was in a relationship with Caatelyn, and their tumultuous affair became highly publicized in late 2014. Caatelyn made headlines when she accused YG of pressuring her to have an abortion and claimed that he had given her herpes, sparking a social media feud. DJ Mustard also got involved, taking shots at YG and alleging unpaid debts. In January 2015, YG confirmed Caatelyn's pregnancy, and in May of that year, she gave birth to their daughter, Harmony. Despite their rocky past, they decided to co-parent amicably after her birth. In October 2014, YG briefly dated actor, singer, and television personality Keke Palmer, but they separated in January of the following year. Later, he entered a relationship with singer Kehlani in September 2019, but it ended after he was caught cheating.
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YG is a successful rapper, and his net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 2023. His professional career has been lucrative, earning him an annual income in the thousands of dollars. The primary source of his wealth is the music industry, where he has released numerous hit songs, EPs, and albums over the years. This success has afforded him a cool and lavish lifestyle that he is satisfied with.
YG is a handsome rapper with a well-maintained masculine physique. Standing tall at 5 feet 10 inches or 1.78 meters and weighing around 69 kilograms (150 pounds), he boasts a body measurement of 35-25-40 inches. His dark complexion perfectly complements his black hair and brown eyes, while his body serves as a canvas for an array of tattoos, including distinctive neck tattoos. YG often completes his look with stylish caps or hats, and his neatly trimmed mustache adds a touch of charisma. To stay fit and healthy, the rapper follows a vegan diet, which he adopted in 2016 as part of his commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Emphasizing organic and GMO-free ingredients, he ensures his diet is rich in vegetables, resulting in visible improvements such as trimmed belly fat and a slimmer neck and face, as shared in his interview with Spin magazine. He followed a vegan diet for about three months in 2016, citing health reasons. He has got a healthy body at present with an attractive personality.
During his formative years, YG faced challenging circumstances as he found himself residing at his grandparents' house due to his parents' unfortunate predicament. They had lost their own home after facing legal charges related to tax fraud. Despite the adversity, YG's resilience and determination shone through, and he persevered through his childhood, drawing strength from his family and surroundings. These early experiences would go on to shape his perspective and provide the motivation he needed to pursue a path in music, ultimately leading to his remarkable rise as a successful rapper in the hip-hop industry.
In the early stages of his music career, YG utilized the power of Myspace to pave his way to success. Leveraging the platform, he shared his music with the world, and his talent quickly gained traction, garnering millions of hits and capturing the attention of a vast audience on social media. Through his captivating tracks and relentless dedication to his craft, YG's Myspace account became a springboard for his musical journey, catching the eyes and ears of major record labels. This online exposure ultimately proved instrumental in propelling him to stardom, as it opened doors to opportunities that would shape his flourishing career in the hip-hop industry.
In 2016, YG made a bold move into the fashion world, launching his own fashion line that prominently featured the distinctive 4Hunnid logo. The clothing brand not only reflected his personal style but also became a representation of his Compton roots and the meaningful connection to the 400 block of West Spruce Street, where he grew up. With the launch of the 4Hunnid fashion line, YG further solidified his position as a multi-talented entrepreneur, extending his influence beyond the music industry and leaving a lasting impact on the streetwear fashion scene.
In June 2015, YG faced a harrowing incident when he was shot while in the process of recording music at a loft near Universal Studios. During the unfortunate event, he sustained three gunshot wounds to his hip, but luckily, the bullets didn't hit any critical arteries. Despite the gravity of the situation, YG's determination and passion for his craft prevailed as he displayed incredible resilience, returning to the recording studios the very next day, albeit on crutches, showcasing his unwavering commitment to his music and artistic journey.
In March 2014, YG released his highly anticipated debut studio album, "My Krazy Life," which soared to the second spot on the prestigious US Billboard 200 chart. The album showcased YG's raw and unapologetic style, garnering widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike. Boasting an impressive lineup of guest appearances, including prominent names in the hip-hop industry like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and ScHoolboy Q, "My Krazy Life" solidified YG's position as a force to be reckoned with in the rap scene, and it remains a significant milestone in his musical journey.