NBA YoungBoy and DJ Khaled drop surprise joint mixtape ‘DESHAWN’ this week

Hip-hop fans are in for a surprise as NBA YoungBoy and DJ Khaled have announced a joint mixtape titled DESHAWN, scheduled for release this Tuesday.

The 13-track project, named after NBA YoungBoy’s middle name “DeSean,” marks the first collaboration between the prolific Louisiana rapper and the Miami hitmaker.

DESHAWN follows closely on the heels of YoungBoy’s latest album, Make America Slime Again, which dropped in late July to commercial success, debuting in the top 10 of the Billboard 200. That 30-track album featured collaborations with Playboi Carti and Mellow Rackz, drawing mixed reviews, particularly for its politically charged lyrics.

This new release comes during a busy year for YoungBoy, who recently regained his freedom following a presidential pardon from Donald Trump on federal charges. In a statement, the rapper expressed gratitude, calling the pardon “an opportunity to keep building — as a man, as a father, and as an artist.”

The mixtape will feature only one guest appearance — fellow Louisiana artist Kevin Gates — a rare move for both YoungBoy and Khaled, who are known for feature-heavy projects. DJ Khaled promoted the release on Instagram, writing, “NEW MIXTAPE ALERT 🚨 #DESHAWN THIS TUESDAY! This a mixtape…but to me it sound like an album! Bless up!”

Given YoungBoy’s reputation for high-volume releases — including seven projects in 2022 alone — fans are eager to see how the concise 13-song format shapes DESHAWN. With two powerhouse names involved, the project is already generating significant anticipation.