Born on March 9, 1990, Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson, also known as YG or Young Gangsta, is an American rapper. He gained attention with his debut mixtape 4Fingaz in 2008 and its sequel The Real 4Fingaz the year after. One of the standout tracks, “Toot It and Boot It”, became a local hit and even reached number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was eventually certified platinum by the RIAA.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson |
| Date Of Birth: | March 9, 1990 |
| Place Of Birth: | Campton, California, U.S |
| Children: | 2 |
| Nationality: | British |
| Occupation(s): | Rapper, Songwriter, Actor |
| Labels: | 4 Hunnid Def Jam Epic |
| Net Worth: | $6 Million |
Early Life
Born and raised in Compton, California, Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson, known as YG, hails from the 400 block of West Spruce Street. This block served as the inspiration for his “4hunnid” tag, which he incorporates into his record label and streetwear brands. The acronym “YG” represents “Young Gangsta.” At the age of 16 in 2006, YG became a member of the Pirus gang. Additionally, his father faced incarceration for tax fraud.
Career
In 2008, along with DJ Mustard, YG founded the “Pu$haz Ink” record label and group. He gained popularity through internet hits like “She A Model” and “Aim Me”, leading to a deal with Def Jam in 2009. This signing was influenced by the label’s focus on West Coast artists and YG’s talent and stage presence, as noted by Max Gousse, the senior VP of A&R at Island/Def Jam.
However, YG faced a setback in mid-2009 with an arrest for a parole violation related to an earlier charge. Despite this, he continued to work on mixtapes, tours, and his clothing line, 4Hunnid. Def Jam re-released his hit song “Toot It and Boot It”, featuring Ty Dolla Sign, in June 2010.
YG was also named in XXL’s 2011 Freshmen Class. Collaborating with DJ Mustard on projects like The Real 4 Fingaz, they produced songs such as “I’m Good” and “You Broke”, featuring artists like Tyga and Nipsey Hussle. While these singles achieved moderate success, they didn’t match the popularity of his debut track.
YG unveiled his second studio album, “Still Krazy,” in a 2015 Billboard interview and teased the first single “Twist My Fingaz” on Instagram shortly after. The album featured tracks like “Cash Money” and “I Want a Benz,” with further hits including “Why You Always Hatin?” featuring Drake. YG released “Red Friday” inspired by Black Friday in 2016 before announcing the forthcoming “Just Re’d Up 3: Know Your Worth” project.
Additionally, he collaborated with Mariah Carey on the track “I Don’t.” YG’s third album, “Stay Dangerous,” dropped in 2018, followed by a surprise release, “4Real 4Real,” in 2019, which included tracks like “Go Loko” and “Stop Snitchin.”
In 2020, YG released the singles “FTP (Fuck the Police)” and “War”. He also performed at the BET Awards and featured on the track “Fight the Power”. YG announced his album “My Life 4Hunnid” in September and released it in October, citing 2Pac as a major influence. He also collaborated on an album with Mozzy, titled “Kommunity Service”, which paid tribute to DMX and the film Belly.
In 2023, YG and Tyga joined forces for the album “Hit Me When U Leave the Klub: The Playlist,” featuring guest appearances by artists like Lil Wayne, Blxst, and Busta Rhymes. The following year, in 2024, YG released two singles: “Love Make” on August 3, 2024, and “Just Re’d Up 3.”
Since then, YG has continued to make waves in the hip-hop scene with his unique style and unapologetic lyrics. With multiple successful albums and collaborations with other prominent artists, he has solidified his place as a respected figure in the music industry.
YG Personal Life
In 2015, YG was involved in a shooting incident in Studio City, California, where he sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his hip.
He is a father to two daughters named Harmony and Vibe from a previous relationship, born in May 2015 and May 2019 respectively. Additionally, YG was known to be in a relationship with singer Kehlani as confirmed on September 6, 2019.
YG Net Worth
As of 2024, YG, the American rapper known for hits like “Toot It and Boot It,” has accumulated an impressive estimated net worth of $6 million through his successful music career and entrepreneurial ventures.