SEOUL, South Korea — Baton Rouge native rapper NBA Youngboy says he is moving to South Korea permanently. 

Youngboy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, announced his intentions to move to Korea on Tuesday's episode of the Open Thoughts with Funny Marco podcast.

When asked if he would ever return to live in the United States, Gaulden said: "Never in life." 

"It's very safe here and clean," the 26-year-old rapper said. 

Gaulden has had a series of legal issues, including being sentenced to 23 months in prison after a conviction on gun charges in Utah. In May 2025, President Donald Trump pardoned Gaulden.