YNW Melly

YNW Melly, born Jamell Maurice Demons on May 1, 1999, is an American rapper and singer from Gifford, Florida, and a co-founder of the YNW collective. His melodic, often mournful style blends rap and R&B, drawing heavily on his own turbulent life, including a stint in juvenile detention on weapons charges. After his release he wrote «Murder on My Mind» while incarcerated, and its 2018 breakout made him one of the most talked-about young voices in Florida rap.

That momentum carried into a string of singles such as «Virtual (Blue Balenciagas)» and «772 Love», culminating in his debut mixtape I AM YOU in August 2018, which featured both «Murder on My Mind» and its sequel «Mind on My Murder». His sound is defined by a soft, sing-song delivery over dark, introspective lyrics about violence, loss, and mental health, earning comparisons to other melodic rap innovators of his generation.

Melly built a loyal fanbase and drew cosigns from artists including Young Thug, Trippie Redd, and Kodak Black. His career has since been overshadowed by a 2019 arrest on murder charges, which put his music on hold even as his earlier catalog continued to resonate with listeners drawn to his emotionally raw, hook-driven style.