Yes, NBA YoungBoy is still alive. As of May 2026, the rapper Kentrell DeSean Gaulden (known professionally as YoungBoy Never Broke Again or NBA YoungBoy) is very much alive, actively releasing music, and has been out of federal prison since April 2025 after serving time and probation.
The “NBA YoungBoy dead” rumors are false death hoaxes that have circulated multiple times online, most notably in 2021 and again in 2023–2026, but law enforcement has repeatedly confirmed he is alive.
Quick facts: Who NBA YoungBoy is
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Real name | Kentrell DeSean Gaulden |
| Born | October 20, 1999, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Also known as | NBA YoungBoy, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, YB, Top, AI YoungBoy |
| Profession | Rapper, singer, songwriter |
| Spouse | Jazlyn Mychelle Hayes (married 2023) |
| Children | At least 13 (as of February 2026) |
| Label | Never Broke Again / Motown (current) |
| Status (2026) | Alive, free, on probation, releasing music and planning tours |
The short answer: Is NBA YoungBoy dead?
No. NBA YoungBoy is not dead. He is alive and has been for years.
- Multiple law enforcement sources confirmed he was not found dead in jail.
- He has been publicly active, releasing albums, posting on social media, and appearing in interviews.
- In April 2025, he was officially released from federal custody and placed on supervised release/probation.
Any claim that he “was found dead in his jail cell” or “died in Atlanta” is a false rumor.
Where the “NBA YoungBoy is dead” rumors started
The most prominent and well-documented death hoax came in May 2021.
The 2021 jail-cell death hoax
- On May 19, 2021, a Facebook user named “Kyus Makeithappen” from Memphis posted a screenshot claiming:“The world’s biggest artist NBA YOUNGBOY who’s real name is Kentrell DeSeaun Gaulden was found dead in his cell earlier today.”
- The post went viral, and fans began sharing it across social media, causing widespread panic and confusion.
- On May 26, 2021, Louisiana law enforcement responded directly to the rumor.
Greg Moroux, chief legal counsel at the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office, told USA Today that the claim was completely false. - At that time, YoungBoy was incarcerated at St. Martin Parish Correctional Center, having been arrested in Los Angeles on April 13, 2021, on a federal warrant related to his September 2020 drug and weapons case in Baton Rouge.
- Moroux confirmed: “NBA YoungBoy is alive and well.”
So the core “found dead in jail cell” story was debunked by the sheriff’s office within days of the fake post.
What was actually happening in 2021?
While the death hoax spread, the reality was:
- YoungBoy had been arrested in Los Angeles after a dramatic foot chase involving a helicopter and LAPD K9 unit.
- He was wanted on a federal warrant tied to his September 2020 arrest in Baton Rouge on drug and firearms charges.
- He appeared via video from St. Martin Parish Jail on April 15, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to:
- one count of felon in possession of a firearm, and
- one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
- Bond was denied, and he remained behind bars.
- During his incarceration, he:
- Wrote letters from jail to fans and his girlfriend.
- Wrote a lengthy note to his girlfriend, who was pregnant with his eighth child at the time.
- Released a new song with Rod Wave for Kawhi Leonard’s music project.
All of this activity confirmed he was alive and communicating, even while jailed.
Later rumors: 2023–2026 “dead or alive” searches
After the 2021 hoax, the internet kept searching “Is NBA YoungBoy dead?” due to:
- His long periods of incarceration and house arrest (2021–2024).
- Sparse public appearances while behind bars.
- Meme culture and clickbait headlines that weaponize “dead or alive” for attention.
- Occasional fake news posts and AI-generated “found dead” videos on YouTube and TikTok.
Key facts:
- There has been no credible report of his death from any official source (police, family, label, or reputable news outlet).
- In January 2026, a YouTube video titled “NBA YoungBoy Death Rumors Shock The World” explicitly framed the story as a false and unverified death rumor that caused fans to panic, then spent the video separating truth from rumor and explaining why celebrities are targeted by death hoaxes.
- In 2025–2026, YoungBoy was out of prison, releasing albums, touring, and giving interviews, which further disproves any “dead” claims.
NBA YoungBoy’s legal timeline and release
Understanding the real story helps explain why rumors had fuel to grow.
2020–2021: Federal arrests and incarceration
- September 28, 2020: YoungBoy was among 16 people arrested in Baton Rouge on federal charges including drug distribution/manufacturing and possession of stolen firearms.
- March 22, 2021: Arrested in Los Angeles on a federal warrant from the 2020 case; fled on foot, caught after a search with police dogs.
- He was held in St. Martin Parish Jail (Louisiana) and later in federal custody.
- In July 2022, he was found not guilty of separate California federal firearms charges due to lack of evidence linking him to intentional possession.
2023–2024: Plea deal, sentencing, and house arrest
- YoungBoy eventually pleaded guilty to charges related to a prescription drug fraud scheme in Utah and other federal gun-related charges.
- He was sentenced to 23 months in prison and 60 months (5 years) of probation.
- He spent time on house arrest from October 2021 to March 2024, then in federal prison afterward.
- His prison release date was moved up from July 27, 2025 to April 26, 2025, and he was released early in March 2025.
2025: Release from prison and presidential pardon
- According to prison records, Kentrell Gaulden was released from a federal correctional facility in Talladega, Alabama on Monday, March 24, 2025
- He was transported back to Utah, where he had previously been on house arrest for his federal gun case.
- Media reported that he was home with family, had a 30-day curfew, and had to stay at a specific location.
- On May 29, 2025, President Donald Trump pardoned NBA YoungBoy, removing the remaining federal gun-related charges.
- After over three years in federal custody (including house arrest), he was officially released on probation in April 2025 and later pardoned.
2025–2026: Post-prison activity
After release:
- He released multiple projects, including:
- “More Leaks” (compilation, March 2025)
- “MASA” (eighth studio album, July 2025)
- “Slime Cry” (ninth studio album, January 16, 2026)
- He headlined the Make America Slime Again Tour (45 stops, September 2–November 12, 2025), grossing approximately $70 million with over 500,000 tickets sold.
- He appeared on the cover of Complex in January 2026, gave interviews, and announced plans for a 2026 tour with a European leg.
- In January 2026, the RIAA named him the most certified rapper of all time with 126 RIAA certified titles.
All of this public activity confirms he is alive and working.
Why the “dead or alive” rumors keep coming back
The “dead or alive” rumors surrounding NBA YoungBoy persistently resurface due to his high-profile legal issues, frequent social media absences, and a toxic internet culture that constantly engages in “clickbait” to generate engagement.
The rumors repeatedly gain traction for a few key reasons:
- Frequent Incarceration: NBA YoungBoy has spent significant time in federal custody, which naturally limits his public presence. When artists go “dark” due to being in jail, malicious actors seize the opportunity to spread death hoaxes.
- Social Media Blackouts: He has been subjected to court-ordered social media bans and often takes his own breaks from the internet. The lack of direct updates from him creates vacuums that online trolls fill with misinformation.
- Troll Baiting & Look-Alikes: Because his fanbase is incredibly large and loyal, online trolls use his name to get viral attention. In the past, death hoaxes have even stemmed from the tragic death of an “NBA YoungBoy” look-alike.
Despite all this, no credible source has ever reported his death.
Common myths vs. facts about NBA YoungBoy’s “death”
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| NBA YoungBoy was found dead in his jail cell in 2021. | False. A Facebook post made this claim; St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed it was completely false and he was alive. |
| He died in Atlanta. | False. There is no credible report of him dying in Atlanta; this is part of online rumor/meme lore. |
| His “death” was confirmed by police or the White House. | False. No official agency announced his death; the opposite is true: law enforcement confirmed he is alive. |
| He’s been dead since 2021 and it’s a cover-up. | False. He has released multiple albums, toured, given interviews, and been pardoned by President Trump in 2025. |
| He is alive but in hiding. | Partly true: He was in prison and house arrest, but he’s now free, on probation, and publicly active. |
Current status in 2026: Is NBA YoungBoy free?
Yes. As of May 2026:
- NBA YoungBoy is alive.
- He is out of federal prison and on supervised release/probation.
- He was pardoned by President Donald Trump in May 2025, clearing his federal gun-related case.
- He has been releasing music, touring, and appearing in interviews.
Final answer: What really happened?
- NBA YoungBoy is alive.
- The “found dead in jail” story was a 2021 fake Facebook post that was officially debunked by Louisiana law enforcement.
- He was incarcerated for years on federal charges but was released in early 2025 and pardoned in May 2025.
- Since then, he has been actively releasing albums, touring, and giving interviews, which definitively proves he is not dead.
Any claim that NBA YoungBoy is dead is a death hoax with no basis in fact.