Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, known to the world as YoungBoy Never Broke Again, has a discography that feels like a raw, unedited diary. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. But sometimes, it’s quiet. When he dropped Ain't Too Long back in 2017, the track "Better Man" stood out immediately. It wasn't just another trap anthem about the trenches or the federal cases that have haunted his career. Looking back at the better man lyrics nba youngboy lyrics, you see a teenager—he was only 17 or 18 at the time—trying to negotiate with his own soul. He was a kid who had become a millionaire and a father while still being a ward of the state in many ways.
The song is a plea. It’s a prayer. It’s a confession.
Most people see the face tattoos and the aggressive energy and assume he’s one-dimensional. They’re wrong. "Better Man" is the proof. The track produced by DJ Swift and Dubba-AA provides this melodic, almost melancholic backdrop that allows YoungBoy to vent about his grandfather, his kids, and the looming shadow of the prison system.
The Weight of the Lyrics: A Breakdown of the Struggle
The hook hits you first. He talks about needing a "better man" to help him through. It’s interesting because he isn't just talking about a mentor. He's talking about the version of himself he hasn't met yet. He raps about how he's "living like a dog," which is a recurring theme in his music—this idea of being feral or hardened by an environment that didn't give him a choice.
"I just want to be a better man," he repeats. It’s simple. It’s visceral.
He mentions his grandfather, who was a massive influence on his life. When his grandfather passed away while YoungBoy was young, it left a vacuum. You can hear that void in the better man lyrics nba youngboy lyrics as he navigates the paranoia of his newfound fame. He’s looking for guidance in a world where everyone wants a piece of his check.
Honestly, the second verse is where the real grit lives. He mentions "thuggin' through the week." He’s talking about the grind, but not the glamorous kind. He’s talking about the mental toll of having to stay armed, having to stay alert, and having to provide for a growing family while he’s barely out of high school age. It’s a heavy burden. You can feel the exhaustion.
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Why This Song Resonates With the "NBA" Fanbase
YoungBoy’s fans, often called the "reals" or the "YB Better" crowd, don't just like his music for the beats. They like it because he’s a mirror. A lot of kids coming up in similar situations see their own internal conflict in "Better Man."
The conflict is this: How do you stay "street" enough to survive but "good" enough to be a father?
He mentions his son, Kayden. He talks about wanting to be there. In the rap world, vulnerability is often seen as a weakness, but for YoungBoy, it’s his greatest currency. He doesn't polish his thoughts. If he’s feeling like a failure, he says it. If he’s feeling like a king, he says that too. In "Better Man," he’s definitely leaning into the former. He’s acknowledging the mistakes. The lyrics point to a cycle of violence and incarceration that he desperately wants to break, even if he doesn't quite know how yet.
The Production and the Baton Rouge Sound
You can't talk about the better man lyrics nba youngboy lyrics without mentioning the sonic atmosphere created by Dubba-AA and DJ Swift. These guys are the architects of that specific Louisiana sound—soulful, bouncy, but deeply emotional. The piano chords in the background are mournful. They provide a space for YoungBoy to use his "sing-song" flow, which he pioneered before it became the standard for every melodic rapper on SoundCloud.
It’s not a club song. You don't play this at a party. You play this at 3:00 AM when you're driving home and thinking about every mistake you've ever made.
The production allows the lyrics to breathe. When he says, "I'm just trying to make it out," it doesn't sound like a cliché. It sounds like a survival tactic. He was facing serious legal trouble during this era, including a drive-by shooting case that nearly derailed his career before it truly began. The lyrics are a reflection of that specific anxiety. He was staring at decades in prison while his face was on billboards. That kind of pressure creates a specific type of art.
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Analyzing the "Better Man" Narrative Arc
The song doesn't really have a resolution. It’s not a "happily ever after" story. Instead, it’s a snapshot of a moment in time.
- The Opening Realization: He acknowledges that his current path is unsustainable.
- The Family Connection: He brings up his children and his elders as the "why" behind his desire to change.
- The Reality Check: He admits he's still "on the block" and still "in the mix."
- The Final Plea: A repetition of the need for a better man to show him the way.
It’s circular. Just like life in Baton Rouge can be for many. He wants to change, but the environment keeps pulling him back. That’s the tragedy of the song. It’s also why it’s one of his most streamed tracks years after its release. It feels authentic because it’s messy.
YoungBoy’s Growth Since 2017
A lot has changed since he wrote those lyrics. He’s had more kids. He’s spent more time in jail. He’s been on house arrest in Utah. He’s released dozens of projects. But if you listen to his most recent work, the themes in the better man lyrics nba youngboy lyrics are still there. He’s still searching for that "better man."
He’s arguably the most prolific artist of our generation. The sheer volume of music he puts out is insane. But "Better Man" remains a cornerstone because it was the first time he really showed us his heart without the armor.
He’s often compared to 2Pac because of this emotional volatility. Whether you love him or hate him, you can't deny the honesty. He’s not trying to be a role model. He’s just trying to be Kentrell. And Kentrell is a guy who knows he’s flawed.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
People often think this song is about a specific woman. It’s not. While he does mention relationships, the "Better Man" he’s referring to is himself. It’s an internal dialogue.
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Another misconception is that he wrote this after a specific religious "awakening." While there are spiritual undertones, it’s more about a raw, human instinct to survive. It’s secular prayer. He’s talking to the universe, asking for a break.
The song also gets lumped in with his "diss tracks," which is a mistake. There’s no beef here. There are no names dropped to start a war. It’s a rare moment of peace—or at least an attempt at it.
How to Truly Understand the Lyrics
If you want to get the most out of the better man lyrics nba youngboy lyrics, you have to listen to them in the context of his life at that moment. He was a kid with the world on his shoulders.
- Look for the specific mentions of his hometown. It explains his paranoia.
- Pay attention to the vocal cracks. He’s not a "perfect" singer, and that’s the point. The strain in his voice matches the strain in his life.
- Notice the lack of "flexing." Usually, rappers talk about chains and cars to hide their pain. Here, the pain is front and center.
The song is a masterclass in vulnerability. It shows that even in the middle of a chaotic career, there’s a person underneath the headlines who just wants to do right by his family.
What You Should Do Next
If this song hits home for you, don't just leave it at the lyrics. Dive into the rest of the Ain't Too Long mixtape to see the full picture of where YoungBoy was mentally in 2017. Compare it to his later "house arrest" era music like Colors or The Last Slimeto. You’ll see a man who is still grappling with the same demons, just with more money and more perspective.
Watch the music video if you haven't. It's simple—mostly just him in the studio and at home—but it reinforces the intimacy of the track. It strips away the "rockstar" persona and leaves you with the person.
Ultimately, "Better Man" isn't just a song. It’s a document of a young man’s struggle with himself. It’s a reminder that change isn't a destination; it's a constant, difficult process that doesn't always have a clean ending.
For those looking to apply the message of the song to their own lives:
- Identify the "better version" of yourself you're aiming for.
- Acknowledge the environmental factors that are holding you back.
- Find a healthy outlet for your frustrations, whether it's music, writing, or just talking to someone you trust.
- Remember that acknowledging your flaws is the first step toward fixing them, even if you feel like you're "living like a dog" right now.