Few artists in modern hip-hop have had a rise as turbulent, fast and unconventional as YoungBoy Never Broke Again, also known widely as NBA YoungBoy. His journey is one of raw talent, uncompromising output, controversy, and an almost unmatched touch with a young digital audience. Today, his estimated net worth hovers around $20 million but that only tells part of the story. What really sets YoungBoy apart is how he created that fortune while enduring personal loss, legal challenges and an industry that often doubted him.
Growing Up Fast – Baton Rouge
Kentrell DeSean Gaulden was born into the world in Baton Rouge, Louisiana – a city known for producing gritty and emotionally charged rap voices. His childhood was far from stable. With his father serving a sentence of decades in prison, YoungBoy was raised by his grandmother, who was her emotional anchor during his youth years.
A bad childhood accident left him to wear a neck brace for a long time, with permanent scars, which later became his visual identity. These early physical and emotional scars contributed toward the intensity that was to later characterize his music.
School never seemed to be a permanent path. As a teenager, YoungBoy left school and soon ruled into trouble with the law. Ironically, it was while in juvenile detention that his creative instincts were honed. With little else to occupy his time, he took up writing lyrics – music served as a solution to therapy and escape.
Music as Survival, Not a Backup Plan
After he was released, life didn’t suddenly get better. His grandmother died and he was left without his main source of support. With few options, YoungBoy threw himself into music, often paying for studio time by making risky decisions. It wasn’t glamorous, it wasn’t strategic – it was survival.
In 2015 he released his first independent mixtape Life Before Fame. The project didn’t explode overnight, but it was the start of a particularly aggressive release schedule. YoungBoy immediately followed up with several mixtapes, each one further developing his sound and building his regional presence.
What did come through early wasn’t polish but honesty. His lyrics had a lived-in quality, pain, paranoia, ambition and emotional volatility. Fans who connected with that rawness began organically spreading his music, specifically on YouTube.
Building Buzz Without Industry Permission
By the time 38 Baby dropped, YoungBoy was no longer a local rapper. Collaborations with established Southern artists helped certify his presence, and rivalries with his peers in public helped feed the flames of an interest in his name.
Controversy came right on his heels, sometimes overshadowing the music. Arrests and public feuds kept him in the headlines, but rather than slowing him down, it only stoked him further. Even in prison, his former projects were published again and continued to gain ground.
This period of his life proved to be a pattern that would be repeated many times: disappointments in real life coupled with development in music consumption.
The Breakthrough That Changed Everything
YoungBoy’s career took a new level, with the release of AI YoungBoy. The project did well on the charts and offered a broader audience the opportunity to hear his emotionally-intense delivery. Songs such as “Untouchable” and “No Smoke” didn’t need radio – they prospered from streaming and repeat listening.
The real turning point was with “Outside Today.” The track became his first major mainstream hit, breaking into the Billboard Hot 100 and keeping his debut studio album Until Death Call My Name in the upper tier of the Billboard 200.
For the first time, YoungBoy wasn’t just a popular online presence – he was a commercially undeniable one.
A Streaming Machine in the Digital Age
While many artists chase radio spins and industry playlists YoungBoy doubled down on volume and consistency. He released music at a rate few could compete with: mixtapes, EPs, singles and albums came without much warning.
This paid off massively on platforms like YouTube, where he became one of the most streamed artists in the United States. His fans were not just casual listeners – they consumed all.
By early 2019, his presence on digital platforms earned him one of YouTube’s top music creators. That level of involvement translated directly into revenue from ads, streaming payouts and brand leverage.
Chart-Topping Success Despite Limitations
Legal trouble once again wrecked his momentum when house arrest prevented him from recording traditionally. Many anticipated his relevancy to fade. Instead, anticipation grew.
When he returned with “Bandit” a collaboration with the late Juice WRLD, the song shot into the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 – his highest-charting single at the time.
Soon thereafter, AI YoungBoy 2 debuted number one on the Billboard 200 with massive streaming numbers in its first week. The project confirmed what fans already knew: YoungBoy didn’t need traditional promotion in order to dominate.
How YoungBoy Makes His Money
YoungBoy’s estimated net worth of $20 million is thanks to several income streams:
His catalog produces hundreds of millions of streams per year across Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
Exclusive releases and consistent uploads make YouTube a huge financial pillar.
Though disrupted by legal problems, live shows are a good source of money whenever allowed.
Limited drops associated with album releases sell out quickly due to a loyal fanbase.
His foray into high-value property is indicative of an increasing trend towards asset diversification.
Legal Battles That Shape His Career
YoungBoy has a long and well-documented history of criminal records. Serious charges including firearm-related crimes and probation violations put his freedom repeatedly at risk as well as his career.
One notable incident resulted in a long period of house arrest and restrictions on performance. Yet, far from vanishing, YoungBoy continued to drop music remotely and keep fans in the loop.
In later years there were several high profile cases thrown out or won in his favor, including federal firearms charges in 2022. By 2023 many of his restrictions had melted away, leaving more personal and professional freedom.
Personal Life Off the Limelight
Beyond the music and the headlines, YoungBoy is a father to eleven children by nine different women. While often criticized, he has been forthright about being available in his children’s lives. Two of his sons even featured in one of his music videos giving fans a rare look into his family world.
In the beginning of 2023, he was married to Jazlyn Mychelle Hayes, a sign of stability after years of chaos. He has also been outspoken on the topic of spirituality and his willingness to take on religious commitments when the legal monitoring ends.
Life in Utah and Real Estate Moves
In a surprising change of scenery, YoungBoy moved to the state of Utah, buying a luxury home in Salt Lake City at a price tag of more than $5 million. The move was symbolic of a move away from influences of the past and of the desire for privacy.
In 2024, he put the property up for sale for close to $6 million, an indication of both increased value and possible plans for a new chapter in a different location.
Influence Beyond Charts and Numbers
YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s power goes well beyond sales numbers. His emotional vulnerability, unfiltered delivery and relentless output has inspired a new generation of artists who prioritize authenticity over polish.
Critics might disagree with his decisions, but his influence on contemporary hip-hop, particularly the streaming age hip-hop, is undeniable.
YoungBoy’s Financial Legacy
YoungBoy Never Broke Again didn’t follow the traditional blueprint of success. His wealth wasn’t made with the approval of industry, the dominance of the radio, or clean narratives. It was created through persistence, emotional honesty and unbreakable connection with his audience.
A $20 million net worth is more than money – it’s about survival, resiliency, and to stay true to your voice even when everything else is shaky.
FAQs
What is YoungBoy ’s net worth in 2026?
His estimated net worth is around $20 million, primarily from music streaming, YouTube revenue, touring, and real estate.
Why is NBA YoungBoy so popular on YouTube?
He releases music consistently and connects deeply with fans who engage heavily with his content.
Has legal trouble affected his career earnings?
While legal issues limited touring at times, his streaming income continued to grow, offsetting losses.
Where does YoungBoy Never Broke Again live now?
He moved to Utah and owned a luxury home in Salt Lake City, which he later listed for sale.
Is YoungBoy married?
Yes, he married Jazlyn Mychelle Hayes in January 2023.
