YNW Melly, born Jamell Maurice Demons on May 1, 1999, in Gifford, Florida, is an American rapper and singer who gained fame with his 2018 single "Murder on My Mind," a trap song that explores themes of homicidal ideation
. He was raised by his single mother, Jamie Demons-King, and began his music career uploading songs on SoundCloud as a teenager
. Melly's career took off with his debut mixtape I Am You (2018) and its follow-up We All Shine (2019), which included collaborations with artists like Kanye West
. Despite his rising success, YNW Melly has been embroiled in serious legal troubles. In February 2019, he was arrested and charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder related to the October 2018 shooting deaths of two fellow members of his YNW collective, YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser
. He has been incarcerated since then, awaiting trial, which has faced multiple delays
. His music has continued to achieve commercial success even during his incarceration, earning multiple gold and platinum certifications
. However, the charges against him carry the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted
. In summary, YNW Melly is a prominent rapper known for his hit "Murder on My Mind" and his distinctive melodic style, but he is also known for his ongoing legal battle involving serious murder charges
