Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson, known better as YG, is an American rapper from Compton, California. He released his debut mixtape 4Fingaz in 2008, and its follow-up, The Real 4Fingaz the following year. The latter gained recognition for its local hit song "Toot It and Boot It", which entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 67 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. He signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings in October 2009, which entered joint-venture with Atlanta-based rapper Jeezy's record label, CTE World, in 2013.
His 2013 single, "My Nigga" peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song and its follow-ups, "Left, Right" and "Who Do You Love?" promptly led up to the release of his debut studio album, My Krazy Life, which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and saw positive critical reception. Also in 2014, he guest appeared on Jeremih's single "Don't Tell 'Em", which peaked at number six on the Hot 100 and remains his highest-charting song. His second album, Still Brazy was met with critical acclaim despite less commercial orientation, as it explored political and social issues for its subject matter.