YNW Melly, born Jamell Demons on May 1, 1999, in Gifford, Florida, is an American rapper best known for his emotional storytelling and controversial life. His estimated net worth of $500,000 reflects both his commercial success and ongoing legal struggles. From his breakthrough hit “Murder on My Mind” to albums like “I Am You,” “We All Shine,” and “Melly vs. Melvin,” Melly built a strong presence in the hip hop collective world before his arrest for double-homicide charges.
Despite being incarcerated at Broward County Jail, his music continues to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200. This article explores YNW Melly’s Net Worth
, education, family, and career journey, providing a detailed look into YNW Melly’s life and legacy.
YNW Melly Wiki/Bio
| Quick Facts About YNW Melly | Details |
| Full Name | Jamell Maurice Demons |
| Stage Name | YNW Melly |
| Date of Birth | May 1, 1999 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 26 Years Old |
| Birthplace | Gifford, Florida, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | American Rapper, Singer, Songwriter |
| Net Worth (2025) | $500,000 |
| Famous For | Hit single “Murder on My Mind” |
| Debut Mixtape | I Am You (2018) |
| Popular Albums | We All Shine, Melly vs. Melvin, Just a Matter of Slime |
| Associated Acts | Juice Wrld, Lil Tjay, Kodak Black, Queen Naija |
| Mother | Jamie Demons-King |
| Brother | YNW BSlime |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | 68 kg (150 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Legal Status | Incarcerated at Broward County Jail, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Notable Songs | Murder on My Mind, 223’s, Suicidal, Bestfriend 4L |
| Education | Vero Beach High School |
| Active Years | 2016 – Present |
| Social Media Followers | Instagram: 4.3M • Facebook: 2.1M |
YNW Melly Net Worth and Income Sources
YNW Melly’s net worth is estimated at around $500,000, a figure that highlights both his musical success and the impact of his legal challenges. As an American rapper, his income primarily comes from music sales, streaming royalties, concert performances, and collaborations with other prominent artists.
His breakout single “Murder on My Mind” became a viral sensation, earning millions of streams on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. This success led to his signing with major labels and the release of projects such as “I Am You (mixtape)” and “We All Shine.”
Although his recording career was temporarily interrupted due to incarceration, YNW Melly’s music continues to generate steady revenue through digital sales, YouTube views, and loyal fan engagement.
Primary income sources include:
- Streaming Royalties: Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube streams of hit songs like “Suicidal” and “223’s.”
- Album Sales: Earnings from “Melly vs. Melvin” and “Just a Matter of Slime.”
- Collaborations: Featuring alongside Juice Wrld, Queen Naija, and Lil Tjay.
- Merchandise: Branded clothing and accessories marketed through his fanbase.
Despite limited freedom, his influence remains significant in the hip hop collective landscape, with songs consistently charting on Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200.
Early Life of YNW Melly
YNW Melly was born as Jamell Maurice Demons on May 1, 1999, in Gifford, Florida, a small but culturally rich community. Growing up in a challenging environment, he turned to music as an emotional outlet during his teenage years. His stage name “YNW” stands for “Young N**a World”*, a term representing both his collective and life philosophy.
Raised primarily by his mother, Jamie Demons-King, Melly faced financial hardships but developed a passion for hip-hop early on. He began writing songs inspired by real-life experiences, street culture, and personal struggles.
During his teenage years, he became affiliated with the Bloods gang, which exposed him to legal troubles but also influenced his raw and unfiltered lyrical style. Despite the odds, his musical talent stood out among peers, making him a local sensation in Vero Beach, Florida.
His early songs, recorded in makeshift home studios, began circulating online, eventually gaining the attention of rap enthusiasts and producers across the country.
YNW Melly Education
YNW Melly attended Vero Beach High School in Florida, where he initially showed an interest in both academics and music. However, due to involvement with local gangs and recurring disciplinary issues, his school life was turbulent.
At a young age, Melly faced multiple suspensions and was eventually sent to juvenile detention after being charged with firing a gun near a group of students. This incident marked the beginning of his encounters with the law, but it also deepened his connection to music as a form of self-expression.
During his time in juvenile detention, he reportedly wrote some of the early drafts of his breakout songs, including “Murder on My Mind.” The experience shaped his perspective, inspiring him to pursue rap seriously once released.
While he didn’t pursue higher education, Melly’s lyrical intelligence and storytelling ability reveal a deep understanding of human emotion and street life — qualities that define his success as an American rapper.
YNW Melly Family
YNW Melly’s family played a vital role in his upbringing. His mother, Jamie Demons-King, gave birth to him when she was just 14 years old, raising him largely as a single parent. Despite financial instability, she supported his passion for music from a young age.
Melly’s younger brother, YNW BSlime, is also a hip-hop artist who gained popularity after releasing his debut songs while Melly was incarcerated. Their close relationship is evident, as Melly has frequently expressed pride in his brother’s progress in the music industry.
His extended family members remain private, but interviews suggest that they continue to stand by him during his legal battles, offering emotional and moral support.
Family bonds have remained central to Melly’s music, with many of his lyrics reflecting love, loss, and loyalty — recurring themes in his work.
YNW Melly Parents
YNW Melly was primarily raised by his mother, Jamie Demons-King, who struggled to provide for him while living in Gifford, Florida. His father’s identity has not been publicly confirmed, though some reports suggest limited involvement in Melly’s life.
Jamie’s influence on Melly’s journey cannot be overstated. Her resilience and determination inspired Melly’s artistic drive and lyrical themes. She has been an active voice in defending her son throughout his ongoing trial and incarceration in Broward County Jail.
Despite their hardships, the strong bond between Melly and his mother continues to resonate with fans who connect deeply to the family themes present in his songs.
YNW Melly Age
As of 2025, YNW Melly is 26 years old, born on May 1, 1999, in Gifford, Florida. His relatively young age makes his achievements in the hip hop collective even more impressive, considering the obstacles he has faced, both legally and personally.
At this age, many artists are still establishing their identities, but Melly has already left a lasting mark on the music industry through hit singles, chart-topping albums, and his unique emotional delivery.
YNW Melly Physical Stats
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | 68 kg (150 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Nationality | American |
Career
YNW Melly’s recording career began in earnest in 2017 when he released early tracks that quickly gained online attention. His breakout moment came with the viral hit “Murder on My Mind,” a haunting track written before his legal troubles but eerily reflective of them.
The success of this song catapulted him into mainstream recognition, leading to the release of the “I Am You (mixtape)” in 2018 and “We All Shine” in 2019. These projects featured collaborations with major artists, including Kanye West and Juice Wrld.
Melly’s first studio album, “Melly vs. Melvin,” released in 2019, peaked on the Billboard 200 and produced chart-topping singles like “223’s” and “Suicidal.” His 2021 album “Just a Matter of Slime” continued his momentum despite being incarcerated.
Some of his other notable tracks include:
- “Bestfriend 4L”
- “Pieces”
- “Thugged Out”
- “Melly the Menace”
- “Slang That Iron”
His commercial success demonstrates how a strong emotional narrative can connect with fans even in the face of adversity.
YNW Melly Social Presence
| Social Media Platform | Followers |
| 4.3M Followers | |
| 2.1M Followers |
YNW Melly Recent Updates
As of 2025, YNW Melly remains incarcerated at the Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, awaiting further proceedings after his mistrial and hung jury in the double-homicide trial. The case involves the alleged premeditated murder of his two associates, YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy.
His defense team continues to fight for his release, citing inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case. Meanwhile, Melly’s music continues to thrive, with new tracks occasionally released through his management.
He has also faced additional probation violation hearings and remains classified as a convicted felon, though no final sentencing has been confirmed.
Despite legal obstacles, YNW Melly’s fanbase and streaming numbers prove that his artistic influence remains unbroken.
Conclusion
YNW Melly’s journey is a compelling mix of talent, controversy, and resilience. With a current net worth of $500,000, his story highlights the duality of fame and struggle — a young American rapper who rose from the streets of Gifford, Florida, to global recognition.
From iconic songs like “Murder on My Mind” to charting albums like “Melly vs. Melvin,” his recording career showcases both creativity and emotional honesty. While his incarceration continues to shape public perception, his artistic legacy remains strong within the hip hop collective.
Whether through future releases or ongoing legal developments, YNW Melly’s life will continue to draw attention — a reminder of how art and reality often collide in the most powerful ways.
FAQs
Why did Kendrick say I’m YNW Melly?
Kendrick mentioned “I’m YNW Melly” to highlight the duality of fame and pain, referencing Melly’s struggles between success, inner conflict, and legal controversies.
Did YNW Melly cry?
Yes, YNW Melly has admitted to crying in interviews and lyrics, expressing deep emotion over his hardships, incarceration, and the loss of close friends.
How many songs does YNW Melly have?
YNW Melly has released over 70 songs, including singles, collaborations, and tracks from albums like I Am You, We All Shine, and Melly vs. Melvin.
What is YNW Melly’s most popular song?
YNW Melly’s most popular song is “Murder on My Mind,” a haunting emotional track that became viral and charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
