YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamell Maurice Demons, is a 20-year-old American rapper and songwriter from Gifford, Florida.
He began his music career at a young age, uploading original songs to SoundCloud when he was just 15 years old.
Melly’s style blends melodic vocals with raw raps about his turbulent life experiences, including violence, crime, and the challenging environment he grew up in.
Despite his young age, Melly has already faced legal troubles, including being incarcerated in 2017 for a shooting incident when he was 16 years old.
Personal Profile
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jamell Maurice Demons |
| Stage Name | YNW Melly |
| Birth Date | May 1, 1999 |
| Birthplace | Gifford, Florida, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter |
| Active Years | 2016–2019 |
| Labels | 300, Atlantic |
| Religion | Christian |
| Legal Status | Incarcerated since February 13, 2019 |
| Notable Works | “Murder on My Mind”, “Mixed Personalities” (featuring Kanye West) |
Rise to Fame
YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamell Maurice Demons, began his music career at a young age. He started rapping at the age of 13 and was inspired by Chief Keef’s “Love Sosa”.
He uploaded his songs on SoundCloud and gained early fame with his unique musical style, which includes elements of hip hop, southern hip hop, gangsta rap, trap, and R&B.
Melly’s breakthrough came in 2018 with the release of his single “Murder on My Mind,” a trap song that explores homicidal ideation.
This song quickly gained popularity and peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of “Murder on My Mind” led him to sign with 300 Entertainment.
Following this, he released his debut commercial mixtape “I Am You” in 2018, which was met with positive critical reception. This mixtape included his breakout hit “Murder on My Mind”. He also released the “Collect Call EP” in late 2017.
In 2019, he released the mixtape “We All Shine,” which received a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This mixtape spawned the double platinum-certified song “Mixed Personalities” featuring Kanye West. This high-profile collaboration further boosted his recognition in the music industry.
Despite his ongoing legal issues and incarceration, Melly continued to produce music. He released his debut studio album, “Melly vs. Melvin,” in 2019, which peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200. In 2021, he released “Just a Matter of Slime,” which peaked at number 11.
Overall, YNW Melly’s unique musical style, high-profile collaborations, and his ability to continue producing music despite personal and legal challenges have contributed to his recognition in the music industry.
The Legal Issues
YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his two friends, Anthony D’Andre Williams (YNW Sakchaser) and Christopher Jermaine Thomas Jr. (YNW Juvy). The charges were filed in Florida’s 17th Judicial Circuit.
The allegations against YNW Melly are as follows:
- Prosecutors allege that on October 26, 2018, after a recording session in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, YNW Melly fatally shot Williams and Thomas while they were all inside a Jeep.
- It is alleged that YNW Melly and another individual, Cortlen Malik Henry (YNW Bortlen), drove the bodies to an area near the Everglades, where they shot at the back and passenger sides of Henry’s Jeep from the outside to make it look like Williams and Thomas had been the victims of a drive-by shooting.
- Prosecutors claim that ballistics tests show the pair were shot from inside the Jeep.
- The prosecution also accused YNW Melly of witness tampering ahead of his retrial.
The evidence presented in court includes:
- Prosecutors intended to introduce music and lyrics from more than 55 of Demons’ songs, including Melly’s biggest hit, “Murder on My Mind,” which reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2019 and describes killing a friend by accidentally shooting him twice.
- A video from Melly’s Snapchat memories was presented by the prosecution in an attempt to link him to the crime, but it was denied by Judge John Murphy III and deemed “prejudicial”.
- The defense sought to have a promotional video removed from evidence as it often shows Melly holding a weapon and in the last few seconds mentions the deaths of Thomas and Williams.
- The defense argued that the video is hearsay, but the state says it proves Demons were at the scene of the crime.
The first trial ended in a mistrial after the jury remained deadlocked on the charges, with a 9-to-3 vote in favor of convicting Demons on the lesser offenses of manslaughter. As of March 2024, the trial is currently on pause awaiting the adjudication of a video as evidence. If YNW Melly is ultimately found guilty, he could face the death penalty.
The Trials
First Trial
The first trial of YNW Melly began on June 12, 2023 He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the October 2018 killings of his friends, Anthony Williams (YNW Sakchaser) and Christopher Thomas Jr. (YNW Juvy). The jury deliberated for fourteen hours over three days. However, they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict, even after the judge gave them an Allen charge, a direction which urged them to try to come to a unanimous conclusion. The trial had many controversial moments, including one where Melly blew kisses in the courtroom. The first trial ended in a mistrial after the jury remained deadlocked on the charges, with a 9-to-3 vote in favor of convicting Demons on the lesser offenses of manslaughter.
Retrial Process
Following the mistrial, the Broward County State Attorney’s Office decided to retry the case. The retrial was initially set to begin on January 8, 2024, but was rescheduled to February 5, 2024. The delay was due to the prosecution’s request for more time to handle various motions and depositions ahead of the trial. The retrial has been delayed multiple times, and as of March 2024, the trial is currently on pause awaiting the adjudication of a video as evidence.
New Evidence
In the retrial, the defense attorneys sought to have a promotional video about Melly’s life removed from evidence. This 20-minute documentary, filmed just before the double murder he is accused of, often shows Melly holding a weapon and in the last few seconds mentions the deaths of Thomas and Williams. The defense argued that the video is hearsay, but the state claimed it proves Demons was at the scene of the crime. The judge’s ruling to suppress this video from evidence prompted prosecutors to file an appeal, which has delayed the entire case until the appeal goes through the appellate courts.
Current Status
As of the latest updates, YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, remains in custody at Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He has been incarcerated since February 13, 2019. He is facing a double murder retrial for the charges of murdering two of his childhood friends, Anthony Williams (YNW Sakchaser) and Christopher Thomas Jr. (YNW Juvy). His defense attorneys have been seeking to have a promotional video removed from evidence. The video, a 20-minute documentary about Melly’s life and rise to fame, was filmed just before the double murder he is accused of. The defense argues that the video is hearsay, but the state claims it proves Demons was at the scene of the crime.
Release Date Speculations
The exact release date for YNW Melly remains elusive and speculative. Some sources suggest that he could be released in 2024, while others believe that he could remain incarcerated for a longer period. These speculations are based on the current information available and the ongoing legal proceedings. It’s important to note that the final decision will depend on the outcome of his retrial and the judicial process. Please keep in mind that these are only speculations and the actual release date can only be determined by the court’s final verdict.