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YG
- 070 Shake
- 2 Chainz
- Alessia Cara
- Amir Obe
- Arlissa
- August Alsina
- Axwell Λ Ingrosso
- Bibi Bourelly
- Big Sean
- Bobby Sessions
- Brenda Mada
- DaniLeigh
- Dave East
- Def Jam
- Desiigner
- Earl St. Clair
- Fabolous
- Fanny
- Jadakiss
- JAHKOY
- Jeezy
- Jeremih
- Jhene Aiko
- Justin Bieber
- Kacy Hill
- Kanye West
- Logic
- Moxie Raia
- Nas
- Payroll & Cardo
- Pusha T
- Teyana Taylor
- Troi Irons
- Valee
- Vince Staples
- YG
About
Like so many rappers after the turn of the millennium, Los Angeles-based rap artist Keenon Jackson (otherwise known as YG or Young Gangsta) got his start by accumulating a wide Internet following. The success of “She a Model” and “Aim Me” online earned him a bid with Def Jam, and he signed to the pioneering hip-hop label in 2009. Several mixtapes followed, including 2010’s The Real 4Fingaz and 2011’s Just Re’d Up, each of which boasted a charting Billboard single. He also became a popular MC, guesting on tracks by Freddie Gibbs, Travis Porter, E-40, Nipsey Hussle, and Young Jeezy.
In 2013, it was announced that Jeezy would be producing his debut studio full-length, to be titled Im 4rm Bompton, which was slated for a summer release that year. The planned album never appeared, as YG entered the studio with a different producer, DJ Mustard. The album My Krazy Life finally landed in 2014, with Drake, Rich Homie Quan, and ScHoolboy Q among its guests. The album earned positive reviews, and debuted at number two on the album charts. Drake returned for 2016’s album Still Brazy, which included more of a political and sociological bent, including the anti-Donald Trump single “FDT.” An EP-length commercial mixtape, Red Friday, was out by the end of that November.
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