Complex names NBA YoungBoy the Best Rapper Alive for 2025 after a prolific year with “Make America Slime Again (MASA)” and “DESHAWN.”

YoungBoy Never Broke Again just added another headline-worthy moment to his résumé. Complex has named him the “Best Rapper Alive” for 2025, a bold but defensible pick that reflects both his output and his grip on the culture over the past year.

YoungBoy’s 2025 run quietly turned into a full-on comeback arc. He dropped two projects, Make America Slime Again and DESHAWN, and stayed true to the formula that’s kept him dominant for years. Louisiana bounce production. Raw, emotionally charged performances. Homemade visuals that feel more like diary entries than industry rollouts. No excessive press runs, no forced industry ties, just music and momentum.

MASA in particular stood out, thanks in part to “Shot Callin,” one of the most undeniable hip-hop tracks of the year. He also dropped the track “What You Is,” which gained some good traction.

With Slime Cry now out, the conversation doesn’t stop at 2025. If his pace and reception continue, don’t be surprised if he’s firmly in the mix again for 2026. Historically, that’s rare territory. Drake remains the only repeat winner, taking the honor in 2011 and 2012.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.