*Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, better known as NBA YoungBoy, has been granted a full presidential pardon by Donald Trump.
This clemency erased his federal firearms conviction in Utah and secured his early release from custody, originally set for July 2025. The pardon marks a pivotal moment for the rapper, whose legal battles have often overshadowed his prolific music career.
In a heartfelt social media post, YoungBoy expressed deep gratitude: “I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building – as a man, as a father, and as an artist. This moment means a lot. It opens the door to a future I’ve worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this.”
He also acknowledged criminal justice reform advocates Alice Marie Johnson and attorney Brittany K. Barnett for their support in his case.
YoungBoy’s legal troubles began with a federal gun charge that led to house arrest and later incarceration. As The AP reports, the pardon, part of several high-profile people Trump pardoned this week, including a commuted sentence for Gangster Disciples co-founder Larry Hoover and pardons for reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, has sparked polarized reactions.
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YoungBoy is seizing this fresh start with his “Make America Smile Again” tour, a 27-city journey kicking off September 2 in Dallas. The tour’s name seems to echo Trump’s campaign slogan.
The hip-hop star has secured four chart-topping albums on the Billboard 200 and a Top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100. His notable tracks include “38 Baby” and “Outside Today,” alongside a feature on Tyler, The Creator’s “Wusyaname” with Ty Dolla $ign, which garnered a 2022 Grammy nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
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