On Wednesday, President Donald Trump pardoned rapper Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, known as NBA YoungBoy, the White House confirmed to Newsweek via email.
CNN’s Jasmine Wright reported on X, formerly Twitter, Wednesday, “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.”
YoungBoy was set to walk out of prison in July 2025 thanks to a plea deal related to a federal gun charge in Utah last year.
Kentrell Gaulden, also known as NBA YoungBoy, arrives for a hearing in 1st District Court, on May 9, 2024, in Logan, Utah.
Associated Press
In a statement posted to social media, the rapper said, “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. “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 thanked Trump’s “Pardon Czar,” Alice Johnson.
YoungBoy continued, “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. And thank you to everyone who believed in me.”
From Baton Rouge, Louisiana, YoungBoy is a prominent American rapper known for his emotionally raw music and relentless output. Rising to fame in the mid-2010s with mixtapes like 38 Baby and AI YoungBoy, he quickly gained a loyal following for his confessional style and gritty portrayal of street life. Despite limited mainstream media presence, his projects frequently top the charts, and he boasts billions of views on YouTube.
YoungBoy’s career has also been marked by significant legal troubles, including firearms charges and house arrest. These issues have not slowed his productivity—he has released numerous albums and mixtapes while incarcerated or under legal restrictions.
The rapper’s upcoming 27-city concert run, which begins on September 2 in Dallas, is called the Make America Smile Again (MASA) Tour in an apparent homage to Trump.
Trump’s move to pardon YoungBoy comes amid a flurry of pardons for convicted Americans, mostly for those he feels fell victim to a politicized and weaponized justice system.
It was also announced on Wednesday that the president commuted the sentence of former Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover, who had been serving a life sentence at a supermax prison in Colorado.
Hoover’s son, Larry Hoover Jr., has been outspoken about his father’s time in jail, and was featured in the 2021 Kanye West song “Jesus Lord.” The artist now known as Ye and Drake then held a concert calling for Hoover’s release.
Ye also spoke to Trump in the Oval Office during his first term in 2018, advocating for Hoover’s work while in prison.
This is developing news and will be updated as more information is available.
Update: 5/28/25, 5:33 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 5/28/25, 5:41 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 5/28/25, 5:53 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
