Genres Hip hop Years active 2009–present Role Hip-hop artist | Name Keenon Jackson Occupation(s) Rapper | |
Birth name Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson Labels Pu$haz Ink400CTE WorldDef Jam Movies We the Party, Mac & Devin Go to High School Associated acts DJ Mustard, Ty Dolla Sign, Meek Mill, Tyga Albums My Krazy Life, Just Re'd Up, Blame It On the Streets, The Real 4Fingaz, Boss Yo Life Up Gang Profiles | ||
Yg entertainment rapper
Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson (born March 9, 1990), better known by his stage name YG, is an American rapper and actor from Compton, California. In 2009, he released his debut single, "Toot It and Boot It" featuring Ty Dolla Sign, which peaked at number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single's success resulted in him signing to Def Jam Recordings. In the following years, YG released mixtapes such as The Real 4Fingaz, Just Re'd Up, Just Re'd Up 2, 4 Hunnid Degreez, and many more.
Contents
- Yg entertainment rapper
- Early life
- 201214 Signing with CTE World and My Krazy Life
- 2015present Still Brazy and I Dont
- 4Hunnid Records
- Personal life
- Discography
- References
In June 2013, YG signed a deal to Young Jeezy's imprint CTE World. His 2013 single, "My Nigga" featuring Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan, peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the highest charting song of his career. He then released the singles "Left, Right" and "Who Do You Love?" featuring Drake, leading up to the release of his debut studio album. His debut album, My Krazy Life, was released on March 18, 2014 by Pu$haz Ink, CTE World and Def Jam, and received critical acclaim. On June 17, 2016 he released his second studio album, Still Brazy, to critical acclaim.
Early life
Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson was born in Compton, California. His name YG stands for "Young Gangster."
2012–14: Signing with CTE World and My Krazy Life
In 2012, he announced his debut album, then titled I'm 4rm Bompton, would be exclusively produced by rapper Syla$. Later in June 2013, he revealed that Jeezy's record label CTE World would release the album. He was then featured on Yo Gotti's "Act Right" also featuring Jeezy. It would peak at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100. He was then prominently featured on the CTE World mixtape, Boss Yo Life Up Gang in August 2013.
On September 4, 2013, YG revealed that his debut album would be released on November 19, 2013 via Def Jam Recordings and that he has changed the album title to My Krazy Life. He also revealed that Drake would be featured on a song titled "Who Do You Love?", produced by DJ Mustard. Shortly thereafter he released the album's lead single "My Nigga" featuring Rich Homie Quan and Jeezy, also produced by DJ Mustard. The song has since peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100. On December 10, 2013, YG released the DJ Mustard-produced "Left, Right" as the album's second single. The following day, Def Jam announced that My Krazy Life would be released on March 18, 2014 and that "Who Do You Love?" featuring Drake would be the album's next single. On February 18, 2014, YG revealed the cover artwork for his debut album My Krazy Life. The artwork features YG posing for a mugshot, with his name and album title detailed in the placard around his neck. It was released on March 18, 2014.
2015–present: Still Brazy and I Don't
On June 24, 2015, in an interview with Billboard, YG revealed that his second studio album would be called Still Krazy and it would be released in 2016. On July 15, 2015, YG teased the first single for the album, "Twist My Fingaz" on Instagram. The same day, YG released the single, "Cash Money" featuring Krayzie Bone. The full version of "Twist My Fingaz" was released July 17, 2015. On December 12, 2015, he released the second single, titled "I Want a Benz" featuring rappers Nipsey Hussle and 50 Cent.
Still Brazy was released on June 17, 2016. The third single "Why You Always Hatin?" premiered on OVO Sound Radio on May 21, 2016 featuring rappers Drake and Kamaiyah. On November 25, 2016, he released the "Black Friday" inspired Red Friday, released digitally; it had 8 tracks.
On December 17, 2016, YG announced through social media, the announcement of Just Re'd Up 3, set to be released in 2017. This project will be executive produced by himself and DJ Mustard.
On February 3, 2017, the song "I Don't," by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey was released, featuring YG. Carey and YG performed "I Don't" live on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on February 15, 2017. On March 24, 2017, a remix featuring Remy Ma and YG was released.
4Hunnid Records
When YG originally came up with the idea for a label (originally titled Pu$haz Ink), he later attempted to co-found it with DJ Mustard and Ty Dolla $ign. Originally the "label" was used as a promotional tool and a brand for YG and DJ Mustard's group of rap collaborators they had grown up with. But as they moved forward in laying the groundwork for the label and its roster, plans for the label were scrapped when their meeting with Capitol went south and the three artists decided to go their separate ways.
There were rumors throughout 2016 that YG would be launching a new label under the name 4Hunnid. They originally begun when YG released a fashion line prominently featuring the 4Hunnid logo. This was confirmed to be true on August 17, 2016 when Billboard magazine reported that YG signed a distribution deal for the label under the 4Hunnid name with Interscope Records.
Personal life
On January 25, 2012, shots were fired during the filming of YG's music video "I'm a Thug". The police shut down and closed the set.
On June 12, 2015, YG was shot one time that created three separate wounds in the hip at a recording studio in Studio City, California. Authorities said that YG was "very uncooperative" when asked about the incident. His manager later revealed that his injuries were not life-threatening and said he was "fine" and recovering. He returned to the studio the next day.
In 2016, YG started eating a vegan diet, citing health reasons.