Table of Contents
What is YNW Melly’s Net Worth?
YNW Melly, born Jamell Maurice Demons, is an American rapper and singer who has made a significant impact in the hip-hop industry. As of 2024, YNW Melly’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $5 million.
Despite facing serious legal challenges, YNW Melly has managed to accumulate considerable wealth through his music career. His rise to fame began in 2018 with the release of his breakout single “Murder on My Mind,” which ironically foreshadowed the legal troubles that would later engulf him. The song’s success, along with subsequent releases, helped establish Melly as a notable figure in the rap scene and contributed significantly to his financial growth.
YNW Melly’s net worth is primarily derived from his music sales, streaming revenue, and various collaborations within the industry. His albums, including “I Am You” and “Melly vs. Melvin,” have been certified Gold by the RIAA, indicating strong commercial performance. The rapper’s unique blend of hardcore rap and melodic harmonies has resonated with a large audience, translating into substantial earnings from digital downloads and streaming platforms.
Interestingly, Melly’s incarceration since 2019 on double murder charges has not completely halted his income stream. He has continued to release music from behind bars, demonstrating the loyalty of his fan base and his ability to maintain relevance in the industry. Additionally, merchandise sales and licensing deals for his music in films and television have contributed to sustaining his net worth during this challenging period.
Here’s the breakdown of YNW Melly’s net worth:
Name: | YNW Melly |
Net Worth: | $5 million |
Date of Birth: | May 1, 1999 |
Profession: | Rapper, singer, songwriter |
If you’re curious about how we estimate a celebrity’s net worth, you can check out our methodology here.
Early Life
Jamell Maurice Demons, known professionally as YNW Melly, was born on May 1, 1999, in Gifford, Florida. He was raised by his single mother, Jamie Demons-King, who was only 14 years old when she gave birth to him. Melly grew up in a challenging environment, with his mother struggling to provide for their basic needs after moving to a poorer part of Gifford.
The young Demons showed an early interest in music, beginning to post his songs on SoundCloud at the age of 15. Growing up without knowing his father, Melly faced numerous hardships that would later influence his music and lifestyle. His upbringing in a disadvantaged neighborhood and the absence of a father figure played significant roles in shaping his worldview and artistic expression.
Recording Career
YNW Melly’s recording career began to take shape in 2016 when he adopted his stage name. The initials “YNW” stand for “Young New Wave” or “Young … World,” representing a hip-hop collective he formed with fellow artists. Melly’s breakthrough came in 2018 with the release of his single “Murder on My Mind,” which explored themes of homicidal ideation and became his mainstream breakthrough.
Following the success of “Murder on My Mind,” Melly signed with 300 Entertainment and released his debut commercial mixtape “I Am You” in 2018. This was followed by “We All Shine” in 2019, which featured collaborations with high-profile artists like Kanye West. Both mixtapes entered the Billboard 200 chart and received gold certifications from the RIAA.
Despite his incarceration beginning in 2019, Melly continued to release music. His debut studio album, “Melly vs. Melvin,” peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200 in 2019. He maintained some commercial success with singles like “223’s” and “Suicidal,” which reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, his subsequent albums, including “Just a Matter of Slime” (2021) and “Young New Wave” (2024), received less favorable critical reception and diminishing commercial success.
Criminal Charges and Imprisonment
YNW Melly’s legal troubles began in earnest on February 13, 2019, when he was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The charges stemmed from the October 2018 killings of his friends Anthony Williams (YNW Sakchaser) and Christopher Thomas Jr. (YNW Juvy) in Miramar, Florida. Prosecutors allege that Melly and another associate, Cortlen Henry (YNW Bortlen), staged the crime scene to appear as a drive-by shooting.
Following his arrest, Melly has been held in the Broward County Jail without bond. The case has seen numerous delays and legal maneuvers, including attempts by prosecutors to seek the death penalty. Melly’s first trial in 2023 ended in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
As of 2024, Melly remains incarcerated awaiting his retrial, which is scheduled for September 10, 2025, with a pre-trial hearing set for December 5, 2024. During his imprisonment, Melly has filed lawsuits against the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, alleging cruel treatment and violation of his constitutional rights. His legal team continues to fight for his release and prepare for the upcoming retrial, while Melly maintains his innocence.
Ashley Roberts is the founder of Real-Time Billionaires List. She founded this platform because she likes to know how much celebrities are actually making. She is always curious why these people can make much more money than the ordinary person.
With a Bachelor’s degree in finance, she is skilled at financial analysis and understands numbers related to wealth. Most of the articles on this site are edited by herself before publishing.
