Backstage moments from 42 sold-out arena shows, rehearsals, glimpses of his personal life — it all unfolds in “American Youngboy,” a new documentary about Baton Rouge rapper, singer and songwriter NBA YoungBoy.
The 75-minute film, directed by Nico Ballesteros (Kanye West, “In Whose Name?”) opened in U.S. theaters Wednesday and follows NBA YoungBoy’s “MASA Tour,” the acronym standing for “Make America Slime Again.” The North American tour ran from Sept. 1 to Nov. 12, 2025. The tour stopped at New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center for a two-night engagement on Oct. 19-20.
The documentary is currently screening at Movie Tavern Citiplace, Baton Rouge; Cinemark Perkins Rowe, Baton Rouge (starting Saturday) and Movie Tavern Juban Crossing, Denham Springs.
Also now known as YoungBoy Never Broke Again, the artist, now 26, was born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden. His music career began with the release of eight mixtapes from 2015 to 2017, gaining him regional popularity. He broke the Billboard Hot 100 with the singles “Untouchable” and “No Smoke” after signing with Atlantic Records and Artist Partner Group in 2017. His single the following year, “Outside Today,” went quadruple platinum. His debut studio album, “Until Death Call My Name,” was also released in 2018 and reached No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard 200.
Along his music journey, he’s had his share of encounters with the legal system, including his involvement in a 2016 nonfatal drive-by shooting in Baton Rouge, a 2020 arrest on federal gun possession charges, and as part of a 2024 prescription drug fraud investigation. He famously continued to release new music during some of his incarcerations.
President Donald Trump granted him clemency in May 2025.
Staff writer Aidan McCahill contributed to this report.
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