President Trump Pardons NBA Youngboy; Rapper Says Future Is Now “Open”
NBA YoungBoy received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump on Wednesday (May 28), clearing the rapper’s federal convictions tied to two separate gun possession cases in Louisiana and Utah.
The Baton Rouge native, born Kentrell Gaulden, had been sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison after pleading guilty in December 2024 to charges stemming from a 2020 arrest during a music video shoot and a later case in Utah.
His legal team confirmed the pardon, though they did not submit the application themselves. The 24-year-old artist addressed the news in a statement posted to Instagram.
“I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building – as a man, as a father, and as an artist. This moment means a lot. It opens the door to a future I’ve worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this,” NBA Youngboy said.
NBA Youngboy’s legal troubles began on September 28, 2020, when he was arrested outside his grandfather’s home in Baton Rouge while filming a video.
Authorities found a Masterpiece Arms 9mm and a .45 caliber Glock Model 21 in his possession. He later faced a separate charge in Utah, which was included in his plea deal.
The rapper is currently preparing for his first headlining tour, the MASA Tour, which launches in Dallas this September.
NBA YoungBoy now joins a growing list of Hip-Hop artists who have received clemency from Trump.
Lil Wayne was granted a full pardon in January 2021 after pleading guilty to federal firearm possession. He had faced up to a decade in prison before Trump intervened.
Wayne had publicly endorsed Trump during the 2020 campaign, citing his criminal justice reform efforts.
Kodak Black also benefited from Trump’s clemency in 2021. He was serving a 46-month sentence for falsifying information on federal firearm documents.
Trump commuted Kodak’s sentence after he had served nearly half his term, citing his charitable work and community support.