Usman Salis
Most rappers talk about making it out the hood, but NBA YoungBoy actually lived it. Born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden in Baton Rouge back in 1999, this guy went from having absolutely nothing to stacking millions before he could legally buy a beer. What makes his story different is how he did it—no major co-signs, no industry connections, just raw talent and an insane work ethic that had him dropping music like his life depended on it. And honestly, it probably did.
NBA YoungBoy's First Steps Into Music and Early Earnings
Here's the thing about YoungBoy—he never punched a clock at some regular job. The kid dropped out in ninth grade and went all-in on music while his grandmother was basically raising him. His first real taste of money came around 2015-2016 when he started putting out mixtapes as a teenager. Projects like "Life Before Fame" and "Mind of a Menace" weren't making him rich yet, but they got people in Louisiana paying attention.
What's wild is how he made his first serious cash through YouTube before any label even knew who he was. His music videos were pulling millions of views just off the strength of the music itself, and those ad revenue checks started adding up. We're talking thousands of dollars a month while he was still basically a kid. Then "Outside Today" hit in 2017, cracked the Billboard Hot 100, and suddenly the whole country knew his name.
The Peak Years: How NBA YoungBoy Net Worth Shot Through the Roof
Between 2018 and 2020, YoungBoy absolutely went crazy. After signing with Atlantic Records, he dropped "Until Death Call My Name" which hit number seven on the Billboard 200. That's when the real money started flowing in—smart money says he was pulling $2-3 million a year just from streaming, shows, and his record deal.
But the peak hit during 2019-2020 when he became the most-viewed artist on YouTube worldwide. Yeah, you read that right—bigger than Drake, bigger than everybody. His album "AI YoungBoy 2" went straight to number one, and he was dropping projects so fast nobody could keep up. During this run, he was probably clearing $5-7 million annually between streaming royalties, merch, and that massive YouTube presence. The craziest part? He did a lot of this while under house arrest. Dude literally couldn't leave home and still became one of the biggest rappers alive.
Current NBA YoungBoy Net Worth and What He's Making Now
Right now, NBA YoungBoy net worth is sitting somewhere between $6 million and $10 million, though honestly it might be even higher. In 2023, he reportedly walked away from Atlantic Records and went completely independent, which means he's keeping way more of his money now instead of splitting it with a label.
His earning potential today is absolutely ridiculous. With over 12 million YouTube subscribers and billions of streams across every platform, YoungBoy's probably making $3-5 million a year just from music alone. Then you add in his Never Broke Again merchandise, and the number keeps climbing. What's insane is he does all this without touring much or doing interviews like other artists have to. His fans are so loyal they'll stream whatever he puts out, no questions asked.
The way he's built his business is actually pretty genius. Instead of chasing mainstream hits, he just floods the market with music and lets his core fanbase eat. He's dropped over 20 projects in six years, creating this massive catalog that keeps generating money even when he's not actively promoting anything. Those old tracks are still pulling millions of streams every month, building up passive income most rappers can only dream about.
NBA YoungBoy's Take on Making It and Staying True
YoungBoy's whole approach to success is pretty straightforward—keep it real no matter what. He's never been about playing industry games, networking at parties, or trying to fit in with the cool kids. In his music and the few times he does talk, he's made it crystal clear that staying authentic matters way more to him than awards or being accepted by the mainstream. He genuinely doesn't care what the industry thinks of him.
His second big thing is just outworking everybody else. The man drops music at a pace that seems almost impossible. Multiple projects a year when other rappers take two years between albums. He's basically said that while everyone else is out partying or sleeping, he's locked in the studio grinding. That work ethic turned him into one of the most-streamed artists on the planet without any traditional industry backing.
Loyalty is huge for YoungBoy too. He built Never Broke Again as a label and a whole brand around staying loyal to the people who had his back from day one. Instead of trying to win over new fans constantly, he just takes care of the ones who've been down since the Baton Rouge days. And they show up for him every single time he drops something new.
The last piece is owning your business and your music whenever you can. His move to go independent shows he's not just talking—he's living it. He could've stayed comfortable on a major label getting guaranteed money, but he bet on himself because he knew his fans would follow. For young artists watching his moves, the lesson is simple: build a real connection with your audience, own your work, and the money takes care of itself.
Usman Salis
