People still can't stop talking about them. Honestly, it’s been years since Jania Meshell and NBA YoungBoy—born Kentrell Gaulden—were actually a "thing," but their names are basically glued together in the world of hip-hop gossip. You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve probably seen the messy IG Lives. But if you're trying to figure out the actual timeline of how a teenage romance turned into one of the most scrutinized co-parenting situations in the industry, you have to look past the clickbait.
It’s complicated. Like, really complicated.
They aren't just exes; they are part of a massive, sprawling web of relationships that keeps the internet's "detectives" working overtime. Even now in 2026, every time Jania posts a TikTok or YoungBoy drops a lyric that sounds vaguely pointed, the comments section turns into a war zone.
The Beginning and the Breakup
Back in 2018, they were the "It" couple for a specific corner of the internet. Jania was a rising model, and YoungBoy was already becoming the streaming giant he is today. It felt fast. It felt intense. It also got dark.
The relationship was marred by a very public, very disturbing incident in February 2018. If you remember the surveillance footage from a Georgia hotel, you know what I'm talking about. YoungBoy was arrested on a kidnapping warrant after being caught on camera in a physical altercation with Jania. He eventually took a plea deal for misdemeanor simple battery family violence.
Most couples wouldn't survive that. They briefly reconciled, but the damage was done. By the time their son, Kacey Gaulden, was born in February 2019, the romantic chapter was pretty much closed.
Life After Kentrell: The Dejounte Murray Era
Jania didn't just stay "YoungBoy's baby mama." She built a whole brand. She’s an entrepreneur with salons and a massive following, but her love life stayed in the spotlight. Enter Dejounte Murray.
Her relationship with the NBA star (now with the New Orleans Pelicans) has been just as rollercoaster-ish. They started dating around 2020, and for a while, it looked like Jania had found a "stable" athlete life. They even had a daughter together, Icelynn Mercedes Murray, in 2023.
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But old habits—or maybe just old ties—die hard.
In late 2025, things got weird again. Dejounte went on an absolute tear on Instagram, accusing Jania of lying about her whereabouts. He claimed she told him she was going to Houston for "work" but ended up at the club. The kicker? She was spotted at an NBA YoungBoy concert around the same time.
"You wouldn't be mad if you been asking for years for someone to be real on what they want, and they say they want a family and not be in the clubs no more?"
— Dejounte Murray on IG Live (November 2025)
Dejounte’s frustration seemed to stem from the fact that he was paying for full-time nannies and trying to "boss her up," while she seemingly missed the "streets." Jania’s response was classic Jania: "I never LIED about going out. I didn't communicate that I was going to the strip club after I left a bowling party."
Basically, the "he said, she said" never ends.
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The "Zero IQ" Lyrics and the 2026 Reality
Even with NBA YoungBoy being married to Jazlyn Mychelle and expecting his 13th child (yes, 13th) as of early 2026, he still finds room for Jania in his music.
In his "Zero IQ Freestyle" released in late 2025, he dropped a line that set the internet on fire: "I f**** on her, Jania was mad, but over nothin', that h* was trash."* Ouch.
This sparked a whole secondary drama involving another influencer, Nique, and even Yaya Mayweather (another one of YB's children's mothers) jumping into the X (Twitter) threads. It’s a mess. Jania ended up tweeting about "loyal friends" who kick you while you're down, seemingly aiming at Nique.
It’s exhausting just keeping track of it.
Why Jania Meshell and NBA YoungBoy Stay Relevant
Why do we care? Honestly, it’s because Jania represents a specific type of modern celebrity. She isn't just a "BM." She is a woman who navigated a high-profile, abusive relationship and came out the other side with a multimillion-dollar business.
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But she’s also human. She makes mistakes. She goes to her ex’s concert and pisses off her current man. She gets into public spats at birthday parties—like the one in September 2025 at Dejounte’s party where she reportedly got into it with Arabiann.
The Reality of Co-Parenting
At the center of all this is Kacey. Jania has been vocal about how much it hurts to co-parent with someone as volatile and "absent" as YoungBoy can be. In 2022, she broke down on Live talking about how hard it is to see her son deal with the distance.
On the flip side, she’s been criticized for her parenting too. When she cut Kacey’s hair in 2025 to stop "gender confusion" (her words), the internet came for her. She stood her ground. That’s Jania.
What’s Next for Jania?
As of early 2026, Jania seems to be entering what she calls her "Soft Life Era." She told her YouTube subscribers she plans on being single for as long as she was in her last relationship—which was about three years.
Whether she actually stays single or ends up back with Dejounte (they were spotted "reconciling" in December 2025) is anyone's guess.
Actionable Insights for the "Stan" Communities:
- Separate the Art from the Drama: YoungBoy’s music often uses his exes as props for lyrics. Don't take every bar as gospel truth; it’s often designed to trend.
- Verify the Source: Most "news" about Jania and YB comes from Shade Room-style IG accounts. Always look for the actual Live or the direct tweet before believing the narrative.
- Respect the Kids: It’s easy to joke about the "13 kids," but Kacey and Icelynn are real children growing up in the digital age. The comment sections can be brutal, and they eventually see that.
Jania Meshell and NBA YoungBoy might never be "over" in the eyes of the public. Their history is too explosive, and their fanbases are too obsessed. But if you look closely, you’ll see two people who were thrust into fame very young, trying to figure out adulthood while the whole world watches for a slip-up.
If you want to keep up with the real updates, stick to their verified YouTube channels. That’s where they usually drop the "real" truth—at least, the version they want you to see.
Next Steps for You
- Check the Timeline: Look back at Jania’s YouTube "Life Update" from late 2025 to hear her side of the Dejounte breakup.
- Listen Closely: Re-listen to the "Zero IQ Freestyle" if you want to understand why Yaya Mayweather and Nique got dragged into the latest drama.
- Follow the Business: If you're over the drama, check out Jania's latest lash and fashion launches; she’s actually making more moves in business than in the clubs these days.