President Donald Trump officially issued a full pardon to rapper Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, better known as NBA YoungBoy, according to confirmation from the White House.
The pardon came as part of a broader round of clemency measures. CNN’s Jasmine Wright reported on X (formerly Twitter), “President Trump has also issued a full pardon to rapper NBA YoungBoy (or YoungBoy Never Broke Again lol), one of the most streamed rappers, who was convicted of possessing weapons as a felon.”
President Trump has also issued a full pardon to rapper NBA YoungBoy (or YoungBoy Never Broke again lol), one of the most streamed rappers, who was convicted of possessing weapons as a felon. He was released from prison earlier this year
— Jasmine Wright (@JasJWright) May 28, 2025
YoungBoy had been expected to be released from prison in July 2025 under a plea agreement stemming from a federal gun charge in Utah. The pardon now clears his record, allowing the 24-year-old rapper to move forward without that conviction hanging over him.
In a statement released via social media following the announcement, NBA YoungBoy expressed gratitude for the decision.
“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,” he wrote. “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 praised Alice Marie Johnson, Trump’s well-known criminal justice advocate often referred to as the “Pardon Czar,” for her efforts behind the scenes.
“Big thanks to the Pardon Czar, Ms. Alice Marie Johnson, for fighting for second chances for so many people, and to my lawyer, Brittany K. Barnett, for being in my corner and all your hard work to make this possible,” YoungBoy said. “And thank you to everyone who believed in me.”
Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, NBA YoungBoy rose to prominence in the mid-2010s with mixtapes like 38 Baby and AI YoungBoy. Known for his emotionally raw lyrics and prolific output, the rapper has become one of the most streamed artists in the world, often dominating platforms like YouTube with billions of views despite limited mainstream promotion.
His career, however, has been frequently interrupted by legal issues, including weapons charges and house arrest. Despite these setbacks, YoungBoy has continued to release albums and mixtapes, maintaining a strong presence in the music scene.
The rapper is currently scheduled to embark on a 27-city tour, kicking off September 2 in Dallas. The tour is titled the “Make America Smile Again (MASA) Tour”—a clear nod to Trump’s famous campaign slogan.
Trump’s decision to pardon YoungBoy is one of several recent high-profile clemency actions. On the same day, he also commuted the sentence of former Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover, who had been serving life in federal prison.
Hoover’s son, Larry Hoover Jr., had long advocated for his father’s release, and his story was highlighted in the 2021 Kanye West song “Jesus Lord.” Kanye, now known as Ye, had previously discussed Hoover’s case with Trump in the Oval Office in 2018.