YG (rapper)

Not to be confused with Yo Gotti.

YG
YG in 2015
YG in 2015
Background information
Birth nameKeenon Dequan Ray Jackson
Born (1990-03-09) March 9, 1990 (age 34)
Compton, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • actor
DiscographyYG discography
Years active2008–present
Labels
Children2
Website4hunnid.com

Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson[1] (born March 9, 1990),[2] better known by his stage name YG (short for Young Gangsta), is an American rapper. He released his debut mixtape 4Fingaz in 2008, and its follow-up, The Real 4Fingaz, the following year. The latter gained recognition for its local hit song "Toot It and Boot It", which entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 67 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[3] He signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings in October 2009, which entered joint-venture with Atlanta-based rapper Jeezy's record label, CTE World, in 2013.[4]

His 2013 single, "My Nigga" (featuring Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan), peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song and its follow-ups, "Left, Right" (featuring DJ Mustard) and "Who Do You Love?" (featuring Drake), preceded the release of his debut studio album, My Krazy Life (2014), which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and saw positive critical reception. Also in 2014, he guest appeared on Jeremih's single "Don't Tell 'Em", which peaked at number six on the Hot 100 and remains his highest-charting song. His second album, Still Brazy (2016), was met with critical acclaim despite less commercial orientation, as it explored political and social issues for its subject matter.[5]

His third studio album, Stay Dangerous (2018), was met with continued critical and commercial success. It was preceded by the single "Big Bank" (featuring 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Nicki Minaj), which peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains his highest-charting song as a lead artist. His fourth studio album, 4Real 4Real (2019), was released in memory of slain rapper and frequent collaborator Nipsey Hussle. His fifth and sixth studio albums, My Life 4Hunnid (2020) and I Got Issues (2022) followed thereafter. His collaborative albums, Kommunity Service (2021) with Mozzy and Hit Me When U Leave the Klub: The Playlist (2023) with Tyga, were both released independently and met with critical praise.[6]

  1. ^ "Keenon Dequanray Jackson, Born 03/09/1990 in California | CaliforniaBirthIndex.org". www.californiabirthindex.org.
  2. ^ Kellman, Andy (March 9, 1990). "YG Biography & History". AllMusic.com. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  3. ^ Wilkening, Matthew (June 22, 2010). "YG, 'Toot It and Boot It' – New Song". AOL Radio Blog. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  4. ^ "Def Jam again sets its sights on Los Angeles: Bompton's YG signs to the major". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. October 14, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  5. ^ "YG on His New Album and Why He's Getting Political".
  6. ^ "Tyga and YG Drop Collab Album: 'HIT ME WHEN YOU LEAVE THE KLUB: THE PLAYLIST'". September 30, 2023.