When NBA YoungBoy, the Baton Rouge‑born rapper known for his relentless output, announced on Thursday, October 16, 2025, that his next studio project Slime Cry will drop on Monday, November 28, 2025, fans went wild.
The news broke in a brief update from Rap‑Up, the Los Angeles‑based hip‑hop outlet that first revealed the release date alongside the album’s cover art. The image shows YoungBoy standing atop a towering pillar during a performance on his ongoing Make America Slime Again Tour, a North American trek named after his July 2025 album MASA.
Why This Album Matters in YoungBoy’s 2025 Marathon
2025 has been a whirlwind for the artist. He kicked the year off with More Leaks in March – a 20‑track compilation of songs that had previously surfaced on the internet. That was followed by the surprise drop of MASA in July, which gave us the TikTok‑viral single “Shot Callin,” plus cuts like “Wine & Dine” and “Games Of War.” Somewhere between those releases, he slipped out DESHAWN, a project that never got a headline‑making release date but still counted toward his four‑album tally.
Here’s the thing: in a September 2025 interview with Complex, YoungBoy revealed he’d already recorded “30” songs while traveling the Make America Slime Again Tour. That prolific studio‑on‑the‑road effort hints that Slime Cry could be a double‑album, a mixtape, or something entirely unexpected.
What We Know About the Album So Far
- Release date:
- Pre‑save link went live immediately after the October 16 announcement, letting fans queue the album on all major streaming platforms.
- No official tracklist or featured artists have been confirmed yet.
- The cover art, unveiled by Rap‑Up, depicts YoungBoy atop a stage pillar, a visual nod to the energy of his current tour.
- Label details remain unconfirmed; YoungBoy has historically released music through his own imprint, Never Broke Again.
Reactions From the Street and the Industry
Fans took to Twitter and Instagram within minutes, flooding the hashtag #SlimeCry with speculation. One fan wrote, “If he recorded 30 tracks on the road, we’re about to get a masterpiece.” The sentiment was echoed by a handful of hip‑hop influencers who called the release “a bold move in an era where artists usually space albums out by years.”
But wait, not everyone is purely celebratory. A spokesperson for the streaming platform Spotify hinted that “high‑volume release weeks can affect playlist algorithm performance,” suggesting that YoungBoy’s relentless schedule might dilute streaming numbers for individual tracks. It’s a classic trade‑off: artistic output versus commercial strategy.
Rolling Out’s Pardon Mystery
On October 17, 2025, Rolling Out, an Atlanta‑based cultural publication, ran a piece titled “NBA YoungBoy drops 4th album bombshell for 2025.” The article added a tantalizing line: the announcement “follows a presidential pardon and a successful …” but stopped short of elaborating. Rap‑Up’s coverage made no mention of any pardon, leaving a gap that fans and journalists alike are trying to fill.
Even though the full context isn’t public, the reference likely points to the 2022 pardon YoungBoy received from the Texas governor (a state‑level clemency, not a federal presidential action). If a federal pardon truly happened, it would mark a historic legal turnaround for the rapper, who has faced multiple charges over the years. Until the details surface, the claim remains a tantalizing rumor.
What This Means for the Bigger Picture
YoungBoy’s rapid‑fire release schedule is reshaping how the industry thinks about album cycles. Historically, a major label would space releases to maximize chart impact, but YoungBoy’s model suggests a new paradigm: saturate the market, keep fans constantly engaged, and let streaming numbers stabilize over a longer period. If Slime Cry lands on the Billboard 200 with a strong debut, it could validate this approach for other prolific artists.
The upcoming tour dates also deserve a mention. While the exact venues for the remainder of the Make America Slime Again Tour haven’t been disclosed, the tour has already visited major markets like Chicago, Dallas, and New York. Each stop is likely to double as a listening party for new material, turning concerts into live‑release platforms.
What to Watch Next
Look out for the first single – historically YoungBoy drops a lead track a week or two before the album. Expect another visual teaser on Instagram Reels, given his strong social media presence. Also, keep an eye on any legal filings or official statements that could confirm—or debunk—the alleged presidential pardon.
Key Facts
- Artist: NBA YoungBoy (real name Kentrell Gaulden)
- Album: Slime Cry
- Release Date: November 28, 2025
- Previous 2025 Releases: More Leaks (Mar), MASA (Jul), DESHAWN (date undisclosed)
- Tour: Make America Slime Again Tour (North America)
Frequently Asked Questions
When will NBA YoungBoy’s album Slime Cry be available?
The album is slated for release on . Pre‑save links have been active since October 16, 2025, allowing fans to add the album to their libraries ahead of time.
How many songs did YoungBoy record during his current tour?
In a September interview with Complex, he disclosed that he’d laid down roughly 30 tracks while traveling on the Make America Slime Again Tour. Those recordings are expected to shape much of the forthcoming album.
What is the significance of the alleged presidential pardon?
Rolling Out hinted at a presidential pardon preceding the album announcement, but no official source has confirmed it. The only known clemency is a 2022 state‑level pardon in Texas. Until further documentation emerges, the claim remains speculative.
Will there be any featured artists on Slime Cry?
As of the October 16 announcement, no featured artists have been confirmed. YoungBoy’s previous 2025 releases were largely solo efforts, so it’s possible Slime Cry will follow that pattern, but surprise collaborations are always a possibility.
How might the album’s release strategy affect his chart performance?
Releasing four full‑length projects in a single year is unprecedented in mainstream hip‑hop. If streaming numbers hold steady, YoungBoy could dominate the Billboard 200 for multiple weeks. However, some analysts warn that saturation could dilute individual track performance on curated playlists.