ybn

YBN is an American hip hop collective formed in the mid-2010s and led by rapper YBN Nahmir. The group is best known for its members who adopt stage names starting with the acronym YBN, notably YBN Nahmir, YBN Cordae, and YBN Almighty Jay. The exact meaning of the acronym has been described differently by members, with common interpretations including “Young Boss Niggas,” reflecting a shared brand rather than a fixed phrase.

The collective gained widespread attention with the 2017 single Rubbin Off the Paint by YBN Nahmir, a track that circulated heavily on YouTube and streaming platforms and helped propel the broader online rap movement of the period. Following that breakout, the group and its members released additional collaborative material as well as solo projects, contributing to the era’s DIY, internet-driven sound.

Cordae, one of the prominent members, achieved major critical and commercial success as a solo artist with his 2019 debut album The Lost Boy, which received Grammy consideration and helped raise the profile of the YBN name beyond the collective. Nahmir and Almighty Jay have likewise pursued solo music careers, and the members have occasionally collaborated on projects.

YBN’s influence is linked to the rise of music distributed primarily through online platforms in the late 2010s, a period characterized by rapid online discovery and community-building around emcees who released music independently or with limited traditional label support. Over time, the group’s activity has varied as individual members have focused on solo work, with Cordae’s career often highlighted in discussions of the collective’s legacy.