Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, the man we all know as NBA YoungBoy, just turned 26. He was born on October 20, 1999, in Baton Rouge.
It feels like he’s been around for decades. Honestly, it’s because he has. He started dropping music at 14. By the time most of us were figuring out high school geometry, he was already a regional star in Louisiana.
Now, in early 2026, he’s basically the elder statesman of a new era of rap. He has more kids than most people have hobbies. He’s been through more courtrooms than most lawyers. And yet, the music never stops.
How Old Is NBA YoungBoy and Why Does It Matter?
Knowing how old is NBA YoungBoy helps you realize just how much he’s packed into a quarter-century. He isn't just "young" by name. He’s lived a thousand lives since 1999.
Most 26-year-olds are just getting their first real promotion. YB? He has over 30 projects under his belt. He’s been the most-watched artist on YouTube for years. He’s tied with legends like 2Pac and Lil Wayne for having number-one albums while behind bars.
It’s actually kinda wild when you look at the timeline.
- 1999: Born in Baton Rouge.
- 2014: Started recording with a Walmart microphone.
- 2015: Released his first mixtape, Life Before Fame.
- 2017: Signed a massive deal with Atlantic/APG at age 17.
- 2023: Signed a deal with Motown worth a reported $60 million.
- 2025: Received a pardon and released his eighth studio album, MASA.
The man is a workhorse. Even when he was on house arrest in Utah—which felt like it lasted forever—he was dropping music every few months. He’s 26, but his discography looks like that of a 50-year-old veteran.
The Baton Rouge Roots
YB grew up in the 38th street area of Baton Rouge. His dad was sentenced to 55 years in prison when Kentrell was just a kid. He was raised by his grandmother until she passed away when he was in middle school.
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Life wasn't easy. You can see it in those three scars on his forehead. He broke his neck wrestling as a toddler and had to wear a halo brace. That’s where those marks came from. It's a permanent reminder of where he started.
He dropped out of school in the ninth grade. He told his mom he wanted to focus on music. Most parents would freak out, but YB was serious. He was arrested for robbery soon after and wrote his first hits while in a detention center.
The Legal Saga and the 2025 Pardon
You can't talk about YB's age without talking about the time he’s lost to the system. From 2021 to 2024, he was stuck in Utah on house arrest. It was a weird time. He was living in a mansion, making millions, but he couldn't leave his yard.
Then things got messy with that prescription drug fraud case in Utah. People thought he was done for. But in a twist nobody saw coming, he secured a global plea deal in late 2024.
He served some time, got credit for all those months on house arrest, and was officially released on probation in April 2025. Then, the kicker: he was granted a presidential pardon by Donald Trump later that year.
That pardon cleared the federal gun charges that had been hanging over his head for half a decade. Now, at 26, he’s finally "free" in a way he hasn't been since he was a teenager.
A Family Empire at 26
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the dozen kids in the room.
As of early 2026, NBA YoungBoy is a father to 12—possibly 13—children. He became a dad for the first time at 16. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind.
He’s currently married to Jazlyn Mychelle. They tied the knot in 2023. They have several children together, including Alice and Klemenza. But YB’s family tree includes kids with several other women, including Yaya Mayweather and Jania Meshell.
People love to joke about him and Nick Cannon, but for YB, it’s clearly about building a legacy. He often talks about wanting to provide for his kids so they never have to live the way he did.
Why the Fans Stay Loyal
His fans—the "YB Better" crowd—are probably the most intense in music. Why? Because he’s authentic.
He doesn't do traditional press. He doesn't care about being "industry-friendly." He’s 26 and he’s already been through:
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- A broken neck.
- Federal prison.
- Multi-million dollar betrayals.
- Losing close friends to street violence.
When he raps about pain, you feel it. When he drops a song like "Untouchable" or "Outside Today," it's not just a catchy beat. It’s a diary entry.
What’s Next for the 26-Year-Old?
Right now, YoungBoy is in a transition phase. He just released MASA (Make America Slime Again) in mid-2025, which did huge numbers. He’s also gearing up for his next project, Slime Cry, which is scheduled to drop on January 16, 2026.
He’s finally able to tour again. The MASA tour in late 2025 was one of the highest-grossing rap tours of the year. For the first time, fans outside of Louisiana and Utah got to see him live in a long time.
He’s young, rich, and finally has his legal weight off his shoulders. The next few years will decide if he becomes the next Jay-Z level mogul or if the chaos catches up to him.
But for now? He’s just a 26-year-old from Baton Rouge who conquered the world.
To keep up with his evolving career, you should follow the official Never Broke Again YouTube channel, as that’s where he typically drops his most personal vlogs and surprise tracks before they hit streaming services. Also, keep an eye on his Motown Records page for official tour dates, as those tend to sell out in minutes.