
Credit: Complex
Hearing that one of the most prolific and emotionally exposed voices in hip-hop, “Weight Gain KG,” once went by that name has a subdued poetic quality. Unexpectedly, the name appeared during a video interview rather than in lyrics or liner notes. It was a casual moment that quickly went viral on social media.
It wasn’t just the strange wording or the nearly cartoonish tone that stuck. NBA YoungBoy’s response was sincere, unexpected, and briefly taken aback. He muttered, clearly processing the past colliding with his present, “Where the f*** did you find that out?” This felt like a different kind of exposure for someone whose music frequently reveals emotional wounds.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kentrell DeSean Gaulden |
| Stage Name | NBA YoungBoy (formerly “Weight Gain KG”) |
| Birthplace | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Career Start | Released early mixtapes like Life Before Fame in 2015 |
| Breakthrough | 38 Baby (2016) and AI YoungBoy (2017) |
| Known For | Prolific output, emotional rawness, legal challenges, and fiercely loyal fanbase |
| Notable Fact | First rap alias was “Weight Gain KG,” revealed in a 2024 Complex interview |
| Source Reference | Complex Interview |
We are given a unique window into YoungBoy’s early years—prior to his notoriety, platinum records, and house arrest headlines—by disclosing a name as seemingly ridiculous as “Weight Gain KG.” It’s similar to discovering an abandoned painting by a painter who now works in galleries. That one name provided insight into a period before the persona was refined and before his voice had a significant impact outside of Baton Rouge.
Online, theories were circulating. Some thought it represented a metaphorical hunger—building momentum, accumulating lyrical mass, and gaining “weight” in reputation. Others leaned toward humor, implying that it was merely a teenage attempt to sound memorable, hard, and strangely specific. Both might be accurate. Like all artists, rappers experiment with their identities before settling into one.
The name sounds like an old nickname that has been whispered in a hallway long after class has ended, given the circumstances of his ascent. He was just a young man recording verses and experimenting with sound and self before he became NBA YoungBoy, a name rooted in tenacity and defiance. Although it may not be a catchphrase today, “Weight Gain KG” had promise in the past. Possibility to develop, change, and overcome stagnation.
The narrative of YoungBoy has consistently been one of unrelenting progress. He has already released ten albums by the time most artists release their first. His discography is constantly updated, unvarnished, and has the feel of a diary. Furthermore, his vulnerability is still very captivating in a society where appearance frequently takes precedence over reflection.
The thing that most surprised me was that “Weight Gain KG” wasn’t ridiculed when it resurfaced. Rather, it was welcomed with unexpected affection by fans. It was disarming as well as embarrassing, like a childhood photo resurfacing. It gave his mythos more depth and dimension to a character who is frequently characterized by ferocity and chaos.
He has taken on many personas over the years. The troubled teenager. The internet streaming powerhouse. The reflective dad. Let’s take a quick look at the former “Weight Gain KG.” It’s practically cinematic. Even though such a transformation has been documented in the public domain, it remains mysterious. Although the timeline is apparent, the internal changes are still very intimate.
This is comparable to the practice of startup founders renaming their initial businesses. Twitter was known as “twttr” before it became Twitter. “Backrub” existed prior to Google. Names evolve. Vision becomes more acute. However, the place of origin is still important. It serves as a reminder that nothing is iconic at first. First drafts are uncomfortable for even the most magnetic stars.
Baton Rouge was both a setting and a battlefield during his ascent. His surroundings molded, challenged, and almost engulfed him. Nevertheless, in spite of these obstacles, he produced a movement in addition to music. Not only does his audience stream, but they also bear witness. And maybe that’s why this little alias, “Weight Gain KG,” had a more powerful effect than anticipated. It gave a person who is frequently mythologized a human face.
His surprise turned to laughter at one point during the interview, which was a rare and sincere departure from his typically reserved demeanor. Decades were conveyed by that tiny smile. The reminder was that even legends begin with a dream, a strange name, and a scrawl. They occasionally outgrow all three.
This was also a very successful moment from a strategic perspective. YoungBoy told a story to his fans without any preparation. a hook. In the midst of the typical headlines of legal issues and streaming statistics, something concrete to relate to. Disguised as a slip of memory, it was a brand moment.
Choosing a name is often the first act of self-disclosure for aspiring artists. It’s the digital handle, the SoundCloud signature, the stage graffiti. YoungBoy’s confession to “Weight Gain KG” gave his already intricate storyline a new dimension. A rewind, not a reinvention.
In the history of hip-hop, this wasn’t the first time an early alias reappeared. Kendrick Lamar was formerly known as “K-Dot.” For a moment, J. Cole thought of “Therapist.” Even though they are no longer in use, each name had a purpose. A hunger. a conviction that their purpose extended beyond corners and clicks.
That change has been especially noticeable in YoungBoy’s case. He is now a case study in progress as well as a warning story. His voice only gets louder despite his ongoing legal battles and partial freedom. “Weight Gain KG” reads like a time capsule in that context—buried deep but not forgotten.
That name probably has no place in the future. However, the memory of it endures, tucked away between growth and nostalgia. And that little, surprising detail could reveal more than any headline to a man who is still discovering his own mythology.
Knowing that someone with millions of fans and a chart-topping discography once chose a name that didn’t quite fit but wore it anyway because they thought it would eventually have meaning is oddly reassuring.

