YG

YG, born Keenon Jackson in Compton, California, is a foundational figure in modern West Coast gangsta rap, known for reviving the region’s ratchet and street-rap traditions for a new generation. He rose to national attention in the early 2010s alongside frequent collaborator DJ Mustard, whose stripped-down, bass-heavy production defined much of his early sound.

His debut album My Krazy Life (2014) became a critical and commercial breakthrough, praised for its vivid, cinematic depiction of gang life in Compton, followed by Still Brazy (2016), which turned toward more personal and political themes, including the paranoia following a 2015 shooting and his outspoken single «FDT (Fuck Donald Trump)». Later albums, including Stay Dangerous, continued to pair street narratives with radio-ready hits like «Big Bank».

YG has been closely tied to the Bloods-affiliated Compton scene throughout his career and maintained a long friendship with the late Nipsey Hussle. Signed to Def Jam Recordings and previously affiliated with CTE World, he has remained one of the most consistent and influential voices in contemporary West Coast rap, shaping the sound of ratchet music and mainstream gangsta rap alike.