YNW Melly, born Jamell Maurice Demons, is an American rapper and singer who gained prominence in 2018 with his hit song "Murder on My Mind." The song's dark themes and trap sound propelled him to mainstream attention. However, his career took a drastic turn when he was arrested and charged with the double-murder of two fellow rappers in the YNW collective in 2019. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and he remains incarcerated. Before his legal troubles, Melly released the well-received mixtapes 'I Am You' (2018) and 'We All Shine' (2019) after signing with 300 Entertainment. "Murder on My Mind" peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
May 1, 1999: YNW Melly's Birth
On May 1, 1999, Jamell Maurice Demons, known as YNW Melly, was born.
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2007: Birth of YNW BSlime
In 2007, YNW Melly's younger brother, YNW BSlime, was born. He is also a rapper.
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October 19, 2015: Arrest for Aggravated Assault
On October 19, 2015, YNW Melly was arrested for aggravated assault and firearm charges, after firing shots at three people near Vero Beach High School. He spent a year in jail.
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2015: Arrest for Shooting Incident
In late 2015, YNW Melly was arrested for shooting at 3 students near Vero Beach High School and was subsequently convicted of aggravated battery and other charges, leading to juvenile detention.
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2016: Adoption of Stage Name
In 2016, Jamell Demons adopted the stage name "YNW Melly" and became part of the hip-hop collective YNW.
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2017: Suspect in Sheriff's Deputy Murder
In 2017, YNW Melly became a suspect in the murder of a sheriff's deputy in Gifford.
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2017: Arrest for Probation Violation
In 2017, YNW Melly was arrested for violating his probation.
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2017: Shooting of Deputy Garry Chambliss
In 2017, off-duty Indian River County Sheriff's Department deputy Garry Chambliss was fatally shot in Gifford.
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2017: Release of 'Collect Call' EP
In late 2017, YNW Melly, while still incarcerated, released his first project, an EP called 'Collect Call'.
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March 2018: Release from Jail
In March 2018, YNW Melly was released from jail after violating probation.
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June 30, 2018: Arrest in Fort Myers
On June 30, 2018, YNW Melly was arrested in Fort Myers, Florida for possession of marijuana, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and drug paraphernalia.
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August 2018: Release of Debut Mixtape
In August 2018, YNW Melly released his debut mixtape, I Am You.
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October 2018: Shooting Deaths of YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy
In October 2018, YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy were fatally shot in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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2018: Singles Released
In 2018, YNW Melly released the singles "Virtual (Blue Balenciagas)", "Melly the Menace", and "Slang That Iron".
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2018: Rise to Fame
In 2018, YNW Melly rose to fame following the release of his single "Murder on My Mind".
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January 3, 2019: Arrest in Fort Myers
On January 3, 2019, YNW Melly was arrested in Fort Myers for possession of marijuana.
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January 10, 2019: 'I Am You' Appears on Billboard 200
On January 10, 2019, YNW Melly's debut mixtape, I Am You, appeared on the Billboard 200 chart at number 192.
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January 2019: YouTube Views
As of January 2019, YNW Melly's "Virtual (Blue Balenciagas)", "Melly the Menace", and "Slang That Iron" music videos amassed 26 million, 16 million and 11 million views on YouTube, respectively.
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January 18, 2019: Release of 'We All Shine'
On January 18, 2019, while incarcerated, YNW Melly released "We All Shine", his second commercial mixtape, featuring collaborations with Kanye West and Fredo Bang.
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February 13, 2019: Charged with Premeditated Murder
On February 13, 2019, YNW Melly was charged with two counts of premeditated murder in connection with the October 2018 shooting deaths of YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy.
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February 2019: Arrest and Murder Charges
In February 2019, YNW Melly was arrested and charged with two counts of premeditated murder, facing life without parole or the death penalty if convicted.
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February 22, 2019: Suspect in 2017 Deputy Shooting
On February 22, 2019, Complex reported that YNW Melly was a suspect in the fatal 2017 shooting of an off-duty deputy.
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March 2019: Spotify Streams
As of March 2019, YNW Melly had amassed over 200 million streams on Spotify with over 10 million monthly listeners; his most-streamed song was "Murder on My Mind".
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March 2019: Not Guilty Plea
In March 2019, YNW Melly pleaded not guilty to the double-murder charges.
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November 22, 2019: Release of 'Melly vs. Melvin'
On November 22, 2019, YNW Melly released his debut studio album, Melly vs. Melvin, which peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200.
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November 29, 2019: Featured on King Von's Single
On November 29, 2019, YNW Melly was featured on "Rollin" by King Von.
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2019: Double-Murder Charge and Incarceration
In 2019, YNW Melly faced a double-murder charge of two fellow rappers in the YNW collective, resulting in an ongoing legal battle and incarceration.
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2019: Mixtape and Album Releases
In 2019, YNW Melly's mixtape, "We All Shine," contained the hit song "Mixed Personalities" (featuring Kanye West), and his incarceration began shortly after its release. His album "Melly vs. Melvin" was also released.
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March 13, 2020: Release of 'Suicidal' Remix
On March 13, 2020, YNW Melly released a remix of his track "Suicidal" featuring Juice Wrld, which peaked at number 20 on the Hot 100.
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April 2, 2020: COVID-19 Diagnosis
On April 2, 2020, YNW Melly tested positive for COVID-19 while in prison and sought early release due to health concerns.
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March 5, 2021: Release of 'Thugged Out'
On March 5, 2021, after a year of not releasing music, YNW Melly released "Thugged Out" with Kodak Black.
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November 30, 2021: Trial Date Set
On November 30, 2021, YNW Melly's double murder trial was initially set for March 7, 2022.
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2021: Release of 'Just a Matter of Slime'
In 2021, YNW Melly released his second studio album, "Just a Matter of Slime," which maintained his commercial success despite mixed critical reception.
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March 7, 2022: Trial Delayed
On March 7, 2022, YNW Melly's double murder trial was delayed.
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May 23, 2022: Trial Reset
On May 23, 2022, YNW Melly's double murder trial was reset.
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May 26, 2022: Speedy Trial Request
On May 26, 2022, YNW Melly's defense team submitted a speedy trial request, which would require the trial to commence within 175 days.
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June 6, 2022: Another Delay for Trial
On June 6, 2022, YNW Melly's double murder trial was delayed again.
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July 6, 2022: Capital Punishment Removed
On July 6, 2022, it was announced that YNW Melly would no longer face capital punishment if convicted.
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November 9, 2022: Capital Punishment Reinstated
On November 9, 2022, an appellate judge overruled the previous decision, making YNW Melly once again eligible for capital punishment if sentenced.
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April 11, 2023: Jury Selection Begins
On April 11, 2023, Jury selection began for YNW Melly's double murder case.
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June 12, 2023: Trial Begins
On June 12, 2023, YNW Melly's double murder trial began.
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July 22, 2023: Mistrial Declared
On July 22, 2023, YNW Melly's double murder trial was declared a mistrial after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.
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September 22, 2023: Bond Denied
On September 22, 2023, Broward Circuit Judge John Murphy declined to grant YNW Melly bond as he awaits his new trial.
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October 2, 2023: New Trial Set
On October 2, 2023, YNW Melly's a new trial was set.
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January 2024: Retrial Paused
As of January 2024, YNW Melly's retrial is paused and awaiting adjudication for the inclusion of digital evidence.
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January 2024: Trial Put on Hold
In January 2024, YNW Melly's trial was put on hold indefinitely after a judge's ruling to suppress evidence prompted prosecutors to file an appeal.
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July 2024: Trial Pushed Back
As of July 2024, YNW Melly's trial has been pushed back until September 2025.
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2024: Release of 'Young New Wave'
In 2024, YNW Melly's third studio album, "Young New Wave," was released, but it was generally panned by critics and failed to chart.
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September 2025: Scheduled Trial Date
In September 2025, YNW Melly's trial is scheduled to begin.
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