YG

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 others.

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. 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. Later in 2014, he was featured on his highest charting single to date, "Don't Tell 'Em", with American singer Jeremih, peaking at number 6 on the Hot 100. On June 17, 2016, he released his second studio album, Still Brazy, to further acclaim. On August 3, 2018, he released his third studio album, Stay Dangerous, to generally positive reviews. It included the single, "Big Bank", his highest charting solo single, peaking at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. His fourth studio album, 4Real 4Real, was released on May 24, 2019.

YG was born in 1990 as Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson in Compton, California.His name YG stands for "Young Gangster." Jackson joined the Bloods gang in 2006 at age 16. His father served time in jail for tax fraud.

2012–2014: 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, Stay Dangerous and 4Real 4Real

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, it was released in 2017. The project was executively 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. On February 19, 2018 YG announced his third studio album would be Stay Dangerous on his Instagram page and would be released this summer. It was released in 2018.

On April 3, 2019 YG announced a "surprise album" titled 4Real 4Real via Twitter originally due for release on April 12, being delayed to May 24 due to the death of his close friend Nipsey Hussle. It was released to positive reviews.

4Hunnid Records

When YG originally came up with the idea for a label (originally titled Pushaz Ink, stylized as 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 and Empire Distribution.

YG is a member of the Compton-based Westside Tree Top Piru Blood gang. 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 in the hip at a recording studio in Studio City, California, resulting in three separate wounds in his hip. 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.

On September 6, 2019, it was confirmed that he and singer Kehlani were dating, but the relationship ended some time after YG was caught cheating.

YG followed a vegan diet for about three months in 2016, citing health reasons.

On January 1, 2020, YG apologised for having made homophobic comments in the past.

YG was arrested on January 24, 2020at his Southern California home on robbery charges, and was held on $250,000 bail at the Men's Central Jail for arraignment on January 28, 2020. YG had been scheduled to perform on January 26, 2020 at the Grammy Awards.

Studio albums

• My Krazy Life (2014)
• Blame It On the Streets (2014)
• Still Brazy (2016)
• Stay Dangerous (2018)
• 4Real 4Real (2019)

Headlining

• Fuck Donald Trump Tour (2016)
• Stay Dangerous Tour (2019)

Supporting

• Drake vs. Lil Wayne (with Drake & Lil Wayne) (2014)
• Forest Hills Drive Tour (with J.Cole) (2015)
• Endless Summer Tour (with G-Eazy & Logic) (2016)
• The Damn Tour (with Kendrick Lamar) (2017)
• Legendary Nights Tour (with Meek Mill & Future) (2019)