Donald Trump has pardoned YoungBoy Never Broke Again, the rapper confirmed on Wednesday (May 28).
The news was first reported by CNN’s Jasmine Wright on X. “President Trump has also issued a full pardon to rapper NBA YoungBoy, one of the most streamed rappers, who was convicted of possessing weapons as a felon,” she wrote. “He was released from prison earlier this year.”
NBA YoungBoy, born Kentrell Gaulden, confirmed the report by releasing a statement on his Instagram Story. “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,” he wrote.
“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. Big thanks to the Pardon Czar, Ms. Alice Marie Johnson, for fighting for second chances for so many people, and my lawyer, Brittany K. Barnett, for being in my corner and all your hard work to make this possible. And thank you to everyone who believed in me.”
YoungBoy added: “I’m grateful. I’m focused. I’m ready.”
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, rapper was released in April after being sentenced to 23 months in December on federal gun charges. Earlier this month, he announced his first headlining tour.
Also on Wednesday, Trump commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, the former Chicago gang leader of the Gangster Disciples for whom Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Drake performed a “Free Larry Hoover” concert in 2021.