Rapper Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, widely known by his stage name NBA YoungBoy, has been granted a presidential pardon by former United States President Donald Trump.
The surprise clemency, issued on Wednesday, comes just weeks after the rapper was released from a halfway house in Phoenix, Arizona, where he was serving the final phase of a federal sentence linked to prescription drug fraud.
In 2024, YoungBoy was arrested while under house arrest in Utah, accused of operating a prescription drug ring out of his luxury home.
He faced a staggering 63 charges, including identity fraud and forgery. Following a negotiated plea deal, he was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison, fined $25,000, and handed five years of supervised probation upon release.
With time served taken into account, he spent 11 months behind bars before being transferred to the halfway house in early 2025.
Despite his release in April, the pardon effectively absolves YoungBoy of his federal crimes, though it does not erase his criminal record or signify innocence.
The White House did not provide an official explanation for the decision, which has already sparked debate among supporters and critics alike.
In a statement posted to Instagram following the announcement, the rapper expressed gratitude to Trump, calling the pardon a "second chance."
“I want to thank President Donald Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building—not only as a man and a father, but also as an artist. This moment means a lot to me.”
He also praised criminal justice advocate Alice Marie Johnson—widely known for championing clemency cases—and his attorney, Brittany K. Barnett, for their efforts in securing the pardon.
“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 working so hard to make this possible. And thank you to everyone who believed in me.”
YoungBoy has had frequent encounters with the law since 2014, with past charges ranging from robbery and attempted murder to illegal firearm possession.
Yet these issues have done little to hinder his output. Even while incarcerated or under house arrest, he has continued to release music, earning praise for his confessional style and relentless productivity.
NBA YoungBoy first rose to fame in the mid-2010s with underground mixtapes like 38 Baby and AI YoungBoy, garnering attention for his raw lyrics and vivid portrayal of street life.
His growing catalogue and intense fanbase have helped him chart multiple projects on the Billboard 200, cementing his place among the most streamed rap artists of his generation.
The pardon adds YoungBoy to a growing list of entertainers and high-profile figures granted clemency by Trump, many of whom have benefited from advocacy by reform campaigners.
While the rapper is now free from federal prosecution related to the fraud case, some state-level legal matters remain unresolved. Nonetheless, he appears eager to turn the page and refocus on both his family and music career.
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