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Los Angeles Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Rapper NBA YoungBoy, pardoned by Trump, looks ahead to ‘future I've worked hard for'
NBA YoungBoy, the Louisiana-born rapper who has faced a flurry of legal woes in recent years, said on Wednesday he can soon put all of that behind him. The musician — born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden and also professionally known as YoungBoy Never Broke Again — expressed relief and optimism for a new chapter as President Trump issued out a series of pardons for the 25-year-old rapper, a former New York congressman and and several others. In an Instagram story, Gaulden credited the president with 'granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building — as a man, a father, and as an artist.' 'This moment means a lot,' said the 'Make No Sense' artist. 'It opens the door to a future I've worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this.' Trump pardoned Gaulden less than six months after he was sentenced to nearly two years in prison for gun-related charges in December 2024. At the time he acknowledged possessing despite being a convicted felon. A month before his sentence, the rap star pleaded guilty to his involvement in a years-long prescription drug fraud scheme in Utah. He pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct and pleaded no contest to remaining charges. He did not receive a prison sentence for that case, but was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine. Gaulden's legal woes also include being indicted by a federal grand jury in 2021 for possessing an unregistered firearm and 'possession of firearms by a convicted felon' in connection to a 2020 case. Joining Gaulden on the roster of Trump's latest pardonees are former Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover and 'Chrisley Knows Best' reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley. Trump also pardoned New York labor union leader James Callahan, former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, former congressman Michael Grimm and Army Lt. Mark Bradshaw. The Grammy-nominated 'Need It' rapper also thanked Trump's pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson. She was convicted in 1996 for her role in a Memphis-based cocaine trafficking operation and Trump commuted her life sentence in 2018. Gaulden credited Johnson with 'fighting for second chances for so many people' and thanked his attorney Brittany K. Barnett and supporters. Gaulden embarks on his live tour in September, including two shows at Arena in Los Angeles on Sept. 9 and 10. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
NBA YoungBoy pardoned by Trump: His legal troubles, explained
President Donald Trump has pardoned NBA YoungBoy. The Louisiana-born rapper, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, was serving a 23-month sentence for federal gun charges. Trump announced his pardon along with others, including former Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover, on May 28, a White House official confirmed to USA TODAY. Gaulden, 25, also known as YoungBoy Never Broke Again, recently announced a 32-date national tour set to kick off in September, his first headlining tour. USA TODAY has reached out to NBA YoungBoy's reps for comment. In November, Gaulden pleaded guilty to his involvement in a Utah pharmacy drug ring, including felony identity fraud and felony forgery charges that were reduced to misdemeanors. In that case, he avoided jail time and paid a $25,000 fine. But the following month, in a related federal gun case, the "Make No Sense" rapper was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison, five years of probation and a $200,000 fine. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Trump's latest wave of pardons includes rapper, GOP governor convicted of corruption Police arrested Gaulden in Utah amid house arrest in April 2024. Inmate records reviewed by USA TODAY at the time showed the rapper was arrested in Cache County, Utah, on six charges, including unlawful activity, procuring or attempting to procure drugs, identity fraud, forgery, possession of controlled substances and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person. He was later charged with the aforementioned federal crimes and taken into federal custody, KSL-TV reported. NBA YoungBoy's legal troubles amid Trump pardon The rapper has been involved in numerous criminal cases, including two attempted murder charges in 2016, when he was 17 years old. The charges were reduced to aggravated assault with a firearm, according to WAFB in Louisiana, which led to a suspended 10-year prison term plus probation. Other cases include a 2018 assault and kidnapping, a 2019 assault and battery lawsuit and a 2019 shooting in Miami. Amid a 2020 federal drug and firearm case in Louisiana, Gaulden was arrested in March 2021 for alleged possession of a weapon in Los Angeles. He went to trial for the Los Angeles case in July 2022 and was acquitted of the charges, per court records. The rapper pleaded guilty to that federal gun charge in early 2024, court records reviewed by USA TODAY show. YoungBoy began growing a fanbase in 2014 with his first mixtape, "Life Before Fame." His latest single, "Shot Callin," joins the list of viral hits like "Slime Examination," "Don't Try This at Home," "Outside Today" and "No Smoke." Contributing: Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY; Amani Bayo, The Columbus Dispatch
