Today, March 9, is the 28th birthday West Coast rapper YG.
Born Keenon Jackson in Compton, Calif., YG's first step into mainstream popularity was his 2009 single "Toot It and Boot It," which also featured Ty Dolla Sign. The track rose to No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100, leading to a deal with Def Jam. "Toot It and Boot It" was a catchy song about one night stands, and had a memorable Ty Dolla Sign hook. "I met her at the club, then I said 'wassup?'/I took her to the crib and you know I fucked," Ty crooned. "Yeah, toot it and boot it, toot it and boot it/Toot it and boot it, that's right I toot and boot it."
He then released a flurry mixtapes until he started to gear up for his major label debut album, My Krazy Life. Buoyed by "Who Do You Love," featuring Drake, and the Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan-assisted "My Nigga," YG's first proper album did well and set him up for success. He also signed a deal for his own record label, 4Hunnid.
The year 2016 was vital to YG's career, as he dropped one the songs that will forever be tied to his legacy. He released his second album, Still Brazy, which featured the controversial single "FDT" featuring Nipsey Hussle. The track was a pointed criticism President Donald Trump, before he won the election. "Don't let Donald Trump win, that nigga cancer/He too rich, he ain't got the answers," YG rapped angrily. "He can't make decisions for this country, he gon' crash us."
Nowadays YG is still doing collabs and working on his upcoming album, Stay Dangerous.
Happy birthday YG!