Rapper NBA YoungBoy Won't Return to the U.S. After Trump Pardon
Rapper NBA YoungBoy says he has permanently relocated to South Korea and has no plans to return to the United States, revealing in a new podcast appearance that a heart condition is also factoring into his decision to step back from music.
The 26-year-old artist, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, made the announcement during a Tuesday, Aug. 11, appearance on Funny Marco's "Open Thoughts" podcast, recorded from his new home in South Korea. When asked whether he could ever see himself moving back to the U.S., he gave an unequivocal no.
Why He Chose South Korea
Gaulden said he was drawn to South Korea in part because it felt "out the way" and offered a different atmosphere than what he was used to, describing his new home as safe and clean. He acknowledged that the move puts significant distance between himself and his 13 children, who all live in the U.S., but said his family remains a major priority despite the relocation.
A New Health Diagnosis
Beyond the desire for a fresh start, Gaulden revealed on the podcast that he has been diagnosed with a heart condition, telling Funny Marco that a doctor found the left side of his heart to be swollen. He said he expects the diagnosis to significantly shorten his music career, estimating he likely has only one or two albums left in him. Gaulden said he had kept the diagnosis private for some time, continuing to perform despite it.
A Pardon That Cleared the Way
Gaulden's move comes about a year after President Donald Trump granted him a full pardon in May 2025, clearing federal firearm convictions tied to a 2024 arrest in Utah. He had been sentenced to 23 months in federal prison in December 2024 on the weapons charges and was released that March after receiving credit for time served, before completing the remainder of his sentence under home confinement. Trump's pardon eliminated the probation that remained tied to the case.
At the time of the pardon, Gaulden thanked Trump on Instagram, writing that the decision gave him the chance to keep building "as a man, as a father, and as an artist."
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