Rapper NBA Youngboy is one of the hottest things in Hip-Hop right now. The Baton Rouge MC has been making a splash since his debut in 2016. He scored a 2 million dollar deal with Atlantic Records that helped line up his immediate ascension to the top. All the while, he was struggling with legal issues that eventually put him behind bars. Jail seems to always work in rappers favor, however, and the young star is experiencing one of the best weeks of his career while currently behind bars.
Despite seeming like a relatively obscure star, the numbers on NBA Youngboy are astounding. The 21-year-old has no real radio success and no live television performances to his name but is currently boasting 4 number #1 albums. His latest project titled Sincerely, Kentrell is his latest album to debut at the top spot. He currently has one song on Spotify nearing a billion streams (“Bandit” with the late JuiceWRLD) and millions of youtube followers helping his videos top efforts from some of the biggest artists in pop.
Eclipsing his truly remarkable success is a criminal record that has done nothing to derail his career. The rapper is currently serving time behind bars after pleading guilty to a 2017 incident.He released a letter to fans in April saying:
“I can leave my kids millions of dollars to divide but can’t give them the time they truly deserve. Nobody understand me they never did shit some times I don’t understand myself, but that’s fine because I’m okay. I ain’t looking for you to feel sorry for me. I just ask for one thing- let me suffer in peace. Tell MS WENDY WILLIAM I say she got a good soul and she’s a beautiful woman. I can see that threw all the bad comments thrown at her. Tell her count her blessings (STAY IN GOOD SPIRIT) Sincerely Kentrell.”
He also addressed Wendy Williams, who at the time was dragging him through the mud during her Hot Topics segment. She frequently discussed his many kids and even had some beef with his mother. All press is good press however, as whatever it is NBA Youngboy has been doing, it’s been working for four albums straights. He is currently the only Hip-hop artist to have a number 1 album every year for the last three years in a row. According to Billboard, the only other artist to accomplish this feat is Taylor Swift, who also had number one in 2019, 2020, 2021.
Fans have mobilized in support of the 21-year-old and have begun a petition demanding his release from jail. “The petition created by NBA Youngboy’s fans asking Joe Biden to free Youngboy has reached over 120,000 signatures,” read a tweet from My Mixtapez. According to the same tweet, the White House has promised to respond to any petitions over 100k. Do you think NBA Youngboy will be released sooner because of this?
The petition created by NBA Youngboy’s fans asking Joe Biden to free Youngboy has reached over 120,000 signatures.
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) October 8, 2021
The White House has previously stated all petitions that reach 100k+ signatures will receive a response from them 👀
📸: (Cooper Neill/Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/EJetLVd4pQ
