Who is Keenon Jackson? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Nick Name: YG

Also Known As: Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson, Young Gangsta, YG

Age: 34 Years, 34 Year Old Males

Rappers Musicians

Height: 5'10" (178 cm), 5'10" Males

U.S. State: California, African-American From California

City: Compton, California

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Career

Keenon Jackson, aka YG, loved music from as long as he can remember. Growing up in a troubled household, music was the only thing that provided him with the much needed respite. As a teenager he started composing lyrics and also started playing music in clubs. Talented and hardworking, he soon built a name for himself in the immediate community he lived in and up to 400 people would flock to the local clubs to hear him perform!

With time, the ambitious lad began uploading his music videos on YouTube with the hopes of reaching a bigger audience and getting noticed by the burgeoning music industry. He released his first mixtape ‘4Fingaz’ when he was just 18! He proceeded to release several other singles and mixtapes over the years. His determination finally bore fruit when his single ‘Toot It and Boot It’ peaked at number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 and landed him a record deal with Def Jam Recordings. He proceeded to release mixtapes, such as ‘The Real 4Fingaz,’ ‘Just Re'd Up,’ ‘Just Re'd Up 2,’ and ‘4 Hunnid Degreez.’

In 2013, his single ‘My Nigga’ was out. Featuring Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan, it peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The single won the BET Hip Hop Award for Best Collabo, Duo or Group in 2014. ‘My Nigga’ was followed by the release of the singles ‘Left, Right’ and ‘Who Do You Love?’ featuring Drake. Propelled by the success he had enjoyed so far, Jackson finally released his debut album, ‘My Krazy Life,’ on March 18, 2014 by Pu$haz Ink, CTE World and Def Jam. The album proved to be a huge hit. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in April 2017.

His second studio album ‘Still Brazy’ was released in June 2016. It featured several rap stars like Lil Wayne, Drake, Nipsey Hussle and Slim 400, among others. A super-hit like its predecessor, it peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. It received positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success as well.

The rapper had been planning to launch his own record label from a long time and rumors were rife that he would be starting a new label under the name 4Hunnid Records. Finally in August 2016, Keenon Jackson confirmed that he had signed a distribution deal for 4Hunnid Records with Interscope Records

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Controversies & Scandals

Keenon Jackson is notorious for his expletive-filled and controversial lyrics. His song ‘Meet the Flockers’ from his album ‘My Krazy Life’ was criticized for encouraging people to burglarize Chinese homes and he was accused of glorifying and promoting cultural violence. In 2017, three men arrested in connection to a series of burglaries in in San Fernadno Valley admitted that their robberies were inspired by the lyrics of the song.

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Personal Life

Keenon Jackson was born on March 9, 1990 in Compton, California, United States. His mother ran a daycare business. His father was involved in a few legal issues and was sent to the jail. Eventually the family lost their home and struggled to survive. Growing up in such difficult circumstances, Keenon also became involved in some robberies and found himself jailed a few times. However he was keen to rebuild his life with the help of music, which was his passion from childhood. He started performing in clubs as a teenager and was eventually able to build a successful career as a rapper.

He is a private person and not much is known about his love life. He has a young daughter, Harmony, who acts as the much-needed emotional anchor in his life. He has been the target of two separate shooting incidents though he managed to escape serious injuries both the times. Jackson follows a vegan diet for health reasons.

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Keenon Jackson Biography