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YG (rapper)

YG, born Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson, is an American rapper, songwriter, and actor from Compton, California.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

YG (born Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson) is an American rapper, songwriter, and actor from Compton, California. He is known for West Coast hip-hop and gangsta rap, and for singles including "Toot It and Boot It" and "My Nigga." His stage name is short for "Young Gangsta."

Early life

YG was born in Compton, California, on March 9, 1990. His birth name is Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson, and his stage name is short for "Young Gangsta."

Music career

YG began his recorded music career in 2008. He gained wider recognition with the 2009 single "Toot It and Boot It," which reached No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100. His single "My Nigga" became his highest-charting release, peaking at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. He has been associated with record labels including Def Jam and Epic.

Style and genres

He is commonly classified as a West Coast hip-hop and gangsta rap artist. His work is rooted in the Compton and California rap scenes.

Other activities

In addition to rapping, YG is listed as a songwriter and actor. Some biographical sources also mention his involvement in community-focused nonprofit work, though this is not consistently detailed across the provided sources.

Key facts

  • YG is the stage name of Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson, an American rapper from Compton, California.
  • His stage name is an abbreviation of "Young Gangsta."
  • He began releasing music in 2008 and has remained active since then.
  • His 2009 single "Toot It and Boot It" reached No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100.
  • "My Nigga" became his highest-charting single, peaking at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Frequently asked questions

What does YG stand for?
"YG" stands for "Young Gangsta."
What is YG's real name?
His birth name is Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson.
Where is YG from?
He is from Compton, California, United States.
What are YG's best-known songs?
Frequently cited songs include "Toot It and Boot It," "My Nigga," and "Who Do You Love?"
What genres is YG associated with?
He is associated with West Coast hip-hop and gangsta rap.
Is YG also an actor?
Yes. The provided sources list him as both a rapper and actor.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YG_(rapper)
    Supports: Birth name, birthplace, occupation, genres, years active, stage name meaning, children, label list
  2. Last.fm — https://www.last.fm/music/YG/+wiki
    Supports: Birth name and stage name meaning
  3. Wikipedia (Japanese) — https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/YG_(%E3%83%A9%E3%83%83%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC)
    Supports: Birthplace, debut single, chart position, stage name meaning
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4396539/bio/
    Supports: Birth name, birthplace, highest-charting song, nonprofit mention
  5. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/YG_(rapper)
    Supports: Early releases, signing to Def Jam, debut album
  6. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4396539/
    Supports: Highest-charting song and selected hit songs