It is a weird thing with NBA YoungBoy. If you look at his discography, the sheer volume of music makes you think he’s been around since the early 2000s. He has more albums, mixtapes, and "projects" than most rappers twice his age. But then you look at the calendar.
NBA YoungBoy is 26 years old.
He was born on October 20, 1999. Think about that for a second. While most people his age are just finishing up grad school or trying to figure out how to cook something other than instant noodles, Kentrell DeSean Gaulden (his real name, if you didn’t know) has lived about four lifetimes. He’s been a father ten times over, a federal inmate, a chart-topping sensation, and arguably the most influential voice of a generation—all before he could legally rent a car without that "under 25" surcharge for more than a year.
How Old is NBA YoungBoy Really?
Honestly, the "how old is he" question usually comes from a place of disbelief. People see the scars on his forehead—the result of a neck-breaking wrestling accident when he was a toddler that required a temporary "halo" brace—and they see the hardened lyrics, and they assume he’s a veteran in his 30s.
He isn't.
He’s a Gen Z icon through and through. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, YoungBoy started dropping music when he was basically a kid. We’re talking 14 years old. By the time he was 18, he already had a cult-like following that would make most politicians jealous.
The Timeline of a Young Legend
To understand the age thing, you have to look at the milestones. Most artists have a slow burn. YoungBoy? He was a wildfire.
- At 14 (2014): He released his first mixtape, Life Before Fame. Most of us were playing video games; he was building an empire.
- At 17 (2017): He was already facing serious legal trouble but managed to drop AI YoungBoy, which basically changed the trajectory of YouTube rap forever.
- At 18 (2018): Until Death Call My Name dropped. This was the moment he went from "internet famous" to "industry powerhouse."
- At 21 (2020): He became the youngest artist ever to have three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 in less than a year.
- At 26 (Today): He is the most RIAA-certified rapper in history, surpassing names like Drake and Jay-Z in total titles.
It’s actually wild. The math doesn't seem to add up because the productivity is so high.
The Baton Rouge Years and the "Halo" Scars
He didn't have a "normal" childhood. His dad was sentenced to 55 years in prison when Kentrell was just a little kid. He was raised by his grandmother, Alice Gaulden. When she passed away in 2010, things got even more chaotic.
That "halo" brace I mentioned earlier? It’s not just a cool story. It’s a physical mark of a life that started with high stakes. He broke his neck wrestling. The brace left three distinct scars on his forehead. It's become part of his "image," but it’s really just a reminder that he’s been surviving since he was in diapers.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With His Age
There's a reason people keep Googling "how old is NBA YoungBoy." It’s because he feels like a paradox.
On one hand, he’s a young man in his mid-20s. On the other, he has 10 children. He’s been married (to Jazlyn Mychelle Hayes). He’s spent a significant portion of his adult life under house arrest in Utah or behind bars.
When he was 21, he was already being called a "veteran" in the rap game. That’s because the rap cycle moves fast, and YoungBoy moves faster. He drops music so frequently that a "YoungBoy era" lasts about three months. In "rapper years," he’s basically a grandfather.
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The Legal Cloud
You can't talk about his age without talking about the time he’s lost. In late 2024, at age 25, he was sentenced to 23 months in prison for federal gun charges. This followed a long, drawn-out saga involving a prescription drug fraud ring in Utah and a separate gun case in Louisiana.
As of early 2026, he’s navigating the complexities of post-prison life or supervised release, depending on the week's headlines. He has spent a massive chunk of his "prime" years—from 21 to 26—restricted by the law.
Is He Too Young for the "GOAT" Conversation?
This is where things get heated in the comments sections. Critics say he’s too young, too unpolished, or too "repetitive." Fans (the NBA Never Broke Again "cemetery" or "38 Baby" crowd) point to the stats.
126 RIAA-certified titles.
Think about that.
At 26 years old.
Jay-Z didn't even drop Reasonable Doubt until he was 26. Eminem was 26 when The Slim Shady LP came out. YoungBoy has already done what most legends do in an entire career, and he still has half his life ahead of him—assuming he stays out of trouble.
The Reality of Being 26 in the Spotlight
Being 26 in the world of NBA YoungBoy is different than being 26 for anyone else. He carries the weight of a massive family and an even bigger entourage. He’s the breadwinner for dozens of people.
His music often reflects a "tired" soul. If you listen to Slime Cry (his first big 2026 drop), you hear a man who sounds like he’s seen too much. He talks about the isolation of his house in Utah, the betrayal of friends, and the pressure of being the "Top" (one of his many nicknames).
What’s Next for NBA YoungBoy?
Now that you know NBA YoungBoy is 26, the question isn't how old he is, but how long he can keep this pace. He just released a 30-track project featuring Burna Boy and Jelly Roll. He is clearly trying to bridge the gap between "street rap" and "global superstar."
If he can stay healthy and stay free, the next five years could be his biggest. Or, he could retire by 30 and still have a larger catalog than The Beatles.
What you should do next:
If you really want to understand the hype, don't just look at his age—look at his YouTube stats. Go to his official channel and sort by "Most Popular." Watch "Outside Today" or "Self Control." You’ll see a kid growing up in real-time. Notice the change in his voice and his eyes from 2017 to 2026. That’s where the real story is.
Check the latest court dockets if you're curious about his current travel restrictions, as those change frequently and dictate whether he can actually tour this year.