A lot is at stake when a rapper’s reputation and income are as high as the NBA YoungBoy’s. That’s why he recently took a stand on the issue of violence in hip-hop and vowed to try to promote peace.
The rapper has got plenty of help along the way, too. After his release from Louisiana jail last October, he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. There he is currently under house arrest. He hasn’t left his house in months, and an ankle monitor is triggered if he leaves the driveway. He’s also allowed to record music but has strict rules for what he can and can’t do.
While he’s in Utah, YB also has taken time to read the Book of Mormon and join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The eponymous lyricist told Billboard that his recent moves have helped him focus on life’s positive aspects. He’s had regular visits from missionaries and even plans to be baptized once he gets off of house arrest, according to the magazine.
In fact, he’s invited them to his home — which has become his sanctuary. He says the missionaries have been reading the Book of Mormon with him regularly, which he believes is helping him to focus on the good things in life.
YB has a thriving music career and has even earned a Grammy nomination for his work on the track “Outside Today.” But he’s also been arrested multiple times, including in February, when he was charged with marijuana possession in Atlanta. He’s also been questioned for allegedly attacking a hotel doorman.
Since his release, YB has taken a strong stance against violence in hip-hop and has promised to make an effort to promote peace. But he’s also caught a few flacks, including from hip-hop veteran Joe Budden.
Budden is known for his criticism of rap stars, and he often targets YoungBoy for his use of violent language in songs like the 2015 hit “Hi Haters.” In a cover story for Billboard, the MC said it troubled him to know that the content could negatively influence kids who listen to his music.
But he has a message for Budden: Don’t try this at home!
In an Instagram post, YB shot at Budden for claiming that the rapper’s new commitment to promoting peace hasn’t changed his lyrics. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native slammed Budden for commenting on his podcast that the rapper will “never change his lyrics” while he’s still in prison.
In addition to focusing on his music, YB is spending time with his wife and two children. He is married to Jazlyn Mychelle and has two children with her, a 17-month-old named Alice and a newborn called Klemenza.