A young boy’s sneaky grab of a neighbor’s dog sparked a police visit and a clever denial that still makes his mom chuckle years later in Baton Rouge. Sherhonda Gaulden, the outspoken mother of rap sensation NBA YoungBoy, spilled the details of this childhood caper during a recent interview on The Mannie & Juvie Show, highlighting how her son Kentrell pulled off the theft all on his own. She recalled the neighbor accusing him directly, leading to questions from both her and the authorities, but young Kentrell played innocent until the coast was clear.
In her own words, Sherhonda described the scene:
“Like one time this lady. She called the police cuz she’s like ‘your son stole my dog’. And I was like ‘Kentrell, did you steal the lady’s dog?’ He’s like ‘No, I didn’t steal the lady’s dog’.”
The police arrived to question the little boy, who stuck to his story, saying,
“I ain’t no I didn’t steal her dog,”
And after some back-and-forth, they left without pressing the matter further. Once they were gone, Kentrell confessed to his mom with a casual,
“yeah, I went and got the dog,”
revealing his early knack for mischief in their tough north Baton Rouge neighborhood.
“You know, I think he was just doing stuff to do it, you know just to make people mad. Like he was just no. Yeah. Well boys do stuff. I know. Doing it just to do it.”
This tale highlights the playful yet bold spirit of Kentrell’s childhood, growing up surrounded by older friends who influenced his rapid learning in a challenging environment like Baton Rouge, known for its high-crime areas. Sherhonda, raising him and his siblings primarily as a single parent with support from her late mother, often shares such stories to illustrate the real-life roots behind her son’s tough image. Their tight-knit family dynamic shines through, with Sherhonda’s humor and pride offering a counterpoint to the rapper’s intense public persona.
Now a dominant force in hip-hop, NBA YoungBoy—whose real name is Kentrell DeSean Gaulden—has achieved remarkable success, boasting multiple number-one albums on the Billboard 200 and over 100 songs on the Hot 100 chart. His music, raw and reflective of personal hardships, has connected with fans worldwide, transforming early street smarts into a prolific career that includes sold-out tours and streaming records. Yet stories from his mom remind everyone of the kid who once swiped a dog just for the thrill, grounding his stardom in relatable family moments.
Sherhonda, who pursues stand-up comedy alongside her role as a devoted mom and grandma, uses these anecdotes to humanize her son’s journey, emphasizing the love and resilience that define the Gaulden family. In a genre often dominated by larger-than-life tales, her insights provide balance, showing how strong maternal guidance helped navigate early troubles toward triumph. Fans value this perspective, as it deepens appreciation for an artist whose bond with his mother remains a core influence.
The clip of Sherhonda’s recounting has sparked lively reactions online, with many praising how it reveals the lighter side of NBA YoungBoy’s upbringing amid his ongoing legal and musical endeavors. Such family-shared memories add authenticity to his narrative, illustrating growth from a mischievous child to a rap icon without losing touch with his roots. Ultimately, this dog theft story entertains while highlighting the enduring mother-son connection that anchors his extraordinary path in the industry.
