YNW Melly
YNW Melly's February 2019 mugshot
YNW Melly's February 2019 mugshot
Background information
Birth nameJamell Maurice Demons[1]
Also known asMelly, Melvin
Born (1999-05-01) May 1, 1999
OriginGifford, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
DiscographyYNW Melly discography
Years active2016–2019
Labels
RelativesYNW BSlime (brother)
Websiteynw4life.com
Criminal information
Criminal statusIncarcerated since February 13, 2019
Criminal chargePremeditated first-degree murder (×2)
Date apprehended
February 13, 2019
Imprisoned atBroward County Jail, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.

Jamell Maurice Demons (born May 1, 1999), known professionally as YNW Melly (initialism for Young Nigga World Melly),[2] is an American rapper and singer from Gifford, Florida. He rose to fame in 2018 following the commercial release of his single "Murder on My Mind," a trap song which explores homicidal ideation. As his breakout hit, the record garnered him further attention after he was charged with the double-murder of two fellow rappers in the "YNW" collective the following year, resulting in an ongoing legal battle and incarceration. Prior, the success of "Murder on My Mind" led him to sign with 300 Entertainment and issue the song as a single for his debut commercial mixtape I Am You (2018), which was met with positive reception along with its follow-up, We All Shine (2019).

Both mixtapes were met critical praise and commercial success; We All Shine spawned the hit song "Mixed Personalities" (featuring Kanye West). His incarceration would begin following it's release, and his label continued to release commercially successful singles including "223's" (featuring 9lokkNine) and "Suicidal" (remixed featuring Juice Wrld). His debut studio album, Melly vs. Melvin (2019) peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200 chart, while its sequel, Just a Matter of Slime (2021) peaked at number 11; both were met with mixed to negative reception as they lacked Demons' direct involvement.[3]

In February 2019, he was arrested and charged with two counts of premeditated murder and faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or the death penalty if convicted.[4][5][6] He is also a suspect in the 2017 murder of a sheriff's deputy in Gifford.[7] In March 2019, Demons pleaded not guilty to the double-murder charges. His first trial ended in a hung jury, and the case was scheduled for retrial in October 2023.[8]

Early life

Jamell Demons was born on May 1, 1999, and grew up in Gifford, Florida.[9] He was raised by his single mother, Jamie Demons-King,[10] and does not know who his father is. Another rapper, Donte "Tha Gift" Taylor, claims to be YNW Melly's father.[11] His mother was 14 years old when she became pregnant with him, giving birth to him in ninth grade. Later moving to a poorer part of Gifford, she struggled to pay for housing and basic necessities.[11][12]

Demons joined the Bloods gang at a young age.[12] He started posting his songs on SoundCloud when he was 15. In late 2015, Demons was arrested for shooting at a group of students near Vero Beach High School. He was subsequently convicted of aggravated battery, discharging a firearm in public, and two counts of aggravated assault, for which he served several months in prison.[13][14]

Demons' younger brother YNW BSlime is also a rapper.

Career

2016–2018: Early fame, Collect Call EP, and I Am You

Demons adopted the stage name "YNW Melly" in 2016. YNW (an initialism of "Young Nigga World" or "Young New Wave") is a hip-hop collective that included Demons, Anthony "YNW Sakchaser" Williams, Christopher "YNW Juvy" Thomas Jr., and Cortlen "YNW Bortlen" Henry.[15][16]

In late 2017, while still incarcerated, Demons released his first project, an EP called Collect Call, which contained features from numerous well-known artists, including Lil B and John Wicks. In 2018, he released the singles "Virtual (Blue Balenciagas)", "Melly the Menace", and "Slang That Iron". Other singles include "4 Real", "Butter Pecan", and "Medium Fries".[17] The respective music videos have amassed 26 million, 16 million and 11 million views on YouTube, as of January 2019.

During 2018 he met and bonded with the Chicago rapper King Von, with whom he shared the same music manager, Jameson “100K” Francois.[18]

In August 2018, Demons released his debut mixtape I Am You, which later appeared on the Billboard 200 at number 192 on January 10, 2019.[19]

2019–2021: We All Shine, Melly vs. Melvin, and Just a Matter of Slime

On January 18, 2019, while incarcerated, Demons released We All Shine, his second commercial mixtape, consisting of 16 tracks.[20] The project featured collaborations with Kanye West and Fredo Bang.[21] A music video directed by Cole Bennett with Lyrical Lemonade for "Mixed Personalities" featuring West was released with the album.

As of March 2019, Demons had amassed over 200 million streams on Spotify with over 10 million monthly listeners. His most-streamed song was "Murder on My Mind", which was originally released as a single before being added to I Am You.[22]

On November 22, 2019, Demons released his debut studio album, Melly vs. Melvin.[23] It peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200, making it his highest-charting album. The album included the singles "223's", which peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100.

On November 29, 2019, Demons was featured on "Rollin" single by his friend, etiquette colleague and Chicago artist King Von this is specifically the second single for Levon James mixtape, this song was also accompanied by a music video filmed by DrewFilmedIt.[24][25]

On March 13, 2020, Demons released a remix of his track "Suicidal",[26] making it the second single from Melly vs. Melvin. The remix included a feature from late American rapper and singer Juice Wrld, making it his third official posthumous feature. The song has peaked at number 20 on the Hot 100, becoming Demons' second top 20 entry.

After a year of not releasing music and still fighting his pending murder case, on March 5, 2021, Demons recruited fellow Florida artist Kodak Black for the release of "Thugged Out".[27] This was followed up with other notable singles such as "Pieces"[28] featuring Queen Naija and "Bestfriend 4L"[29] featuring Lil Tjay. The singles leading up to Demons' sophomore studio album, Just a Matter of Slime,[30] like Melly vs. Melvin were released while incarcerated and were put together with pre-recorded vocals prior to his incarceration.

Musical style

YNW Melly has been noted for his melodic vocals and his "mix of bright harmonies slathered in grit and soulful love-sick ballads".[31]

2015: Aggravated assault

Demons was arrested on October 19, 2015, on three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of discharging a firearm in public, after firing shots at three people near Vero Beach High School.[32] Demons spent a year in jail before being released on probation.[33]

2017–2018: Probation violation and possession of marijuana and firearms

In 2017, Demons was arrested for violating probation and spent several months in jail before being released in March 2018.[33]

Demons was arrested on June 30, 2018, in Fort Myers, Florida for possession of marijuana, possession of weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, and drug paraphernalia.[34]

2019–present: Possession of marijuana and double homicide

Demons was again arrested on January 3, 2019, in Fort Myers for possession of marijuana.[35]

On February 12, 2019, Demons was charged with two counts of premeditated murder in connection with the October 2018 shooting deaths in Fort Lauderdale, Florida of two YNW associates described as his close friends, rappers YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy.[36] Authorities purport that Demons conspired with fellow YNW rapper Cortlen Malik Henry (YNW Bortlen) to stage the double-murder of Anthony D'Andre Williams (YNW Sakchaser) and Christopher Thomas Jr. (YNW Juvy) and make it appear as if they were fatally injured in a drive-by shooting. Demons turned himself in on February 13, 2019.[37] He announced on his Instagram:[38]

"No I did not get locked up in Washington, but I am turning myself in today... a couple months ago I lost my two brothers by violence and now the system want to find justice.. unfortunately a lot of rumors and lies are being said but no worries god is with me and my brother @ynw.bortlen and we want y'all to remember it's a ynw Family I love you"

— @ynwmelly

On February 22, 2019, Complex reported that Demons and Henry were suspects in the fatal 2017 shooting of off-duty Indian River County Sheriff's Department deputy Garry Chambliss in Gifford.

On November 30, 2021, Demons' double murder trial was set for March 7, 2022.[39] The trial was later delayed and reset for May 23, 2022. Delayed again, the trial was pushed back until June 6, 2022.

After the trial did not proceed, Demons' defense team decided to submit a speedy trial request on May 26, 2022. The trial would have to commence in the next 175 days.[40]

On July 6, 2022, a decision was announced that Demons would no longer face capital punishment if convicted.[41][42][43][44] However, on November 9, 2022, the decision was overruled by an appellate judge, once again making Demons eligible for capital punishment if sentenced.[45][46][47][48][49] Following the eligibility, Demons' team attempted to get this thrown out with an appeal to the Supreme Court of Florida; however, this attempt was unsuccessful.[50][51]

Jury selection for Demons' double murder case had begun on April 11, 2023.[52][53] Melly's trial began on June 12, 2023.[52][53]

According to the prosecutors, forensic and video evidence point to Demons as the killer. Surveillance footage showed him taking the seat inside the car from which experts determined the shots were fired. Demons alleged the victims died as a result of a drive-by, even though prosecution evidence showed the fatal shots that killed the pair had come from inside the car. Demons and Henry were accused of parking, exiting the car, then staging the killings by shooting back into the vehicle, after which Henry solely drove the victims to Memorial Hospital in Miramar, where they were pronounced deceased.[54] The jury deliberated for fourteen hours over three days but were unable to reach a unanimous verdict, even after the judge gave them an Allen charge, a direction that urged them to try to come to unanimous conclusion. A mistrial was declared July 22, 2023 as the jury could not come to a unanimous decision.[55] Demons remains in custody awaiting his retrial.[54] A new trial date has been set for October 2, 2023.[56]

Personal life

On April 2, 2020, Demons (via management) told fans on Twitter that he tested positive for COVID-19.[57] He was in the process of trying to get an early release from prison due to health concerns, as 6ix9ine was released from prison due to asthma and bronchitis.[58] On April 14, his motion was denied.[59]

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Stephanie Dube Dwilson (June 30, 2020). "YNW Melly Arrested: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Who is YNW Melly? Everything to know about the upcoming rapper charged with murder". NME. February 17, 2019. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  3. ↑ "YNW Melly Case Delayed as Prosecutor is Removed". Associated Press News. October 12, 2023.
  4. ↑ Holmes, Charles (February 14, 2019). "YNW Melly Charged With Two Counts of First-Degree Murder". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  5. ↑ Aswad, Jem (February 14, 2019). "YNW Melly, Kanye West Collaborator, Arrested for Double Murder". Variety. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Florida Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty for YNW Melly". Pitchfork. April 22, 2019. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  7. ↑ Cowen, Trace William (February 22, 2019). "YNW Melly Reportedly Now a Suspect in Deputy's Shooting Death". Complex. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  8. ↑ "YNW Melly Pleads Not Guilty to Double Murder Charges | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  9. ↑ Charles Holmes (August 21, 2018). "YNW Melly on Breakout Mixtape 'I Am You,' Interpolating Chris Brown Throwbacks & His Favorite 'Lion King' Solos". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  10. ↑ FNR TIGG (March 13, 2019). "YNW Melly's Mom Claims She Was Threatened by Rapper's Alleged Murder Victim". Complex. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  11. 1 2 "YNW Melly's father remixes "Murder on My Mind" to proclaim son's innocence". Revolt. April 30, 2019. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  12. 1 2 Moore, Mary Helen. "Gifford rapper YNW Melly documentary gives eerie look at friendship with murdered artists". TCPalm. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  13. ↑ "How YNW Melly turned his pain into beautiful rap ballads". The FADER. Archived from the original on August 3, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Grand jury indictment: YNW Melly fired the gun, killing the friends he grew up with". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  15. ↑ Hogan, Marc (February 20, 2019). "YNW Melly Is Charged With the Murder of Two Friends. What Happened?". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  16. ↑ Giacomazzo, Bernadette (February 28, 2019). "Everything To Know About YNW Melly & His Pending Murder Charges". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  17. ↑ Fred, Thomas. "YNW Melly". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Tour Tales Jameson "100K" Francois on the lesson learned after King Von's final show the night he died". Revolt Tv. August 6, 2021. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Hip Hop Album Sales: A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie Earns His 1st No. 1 Album On Billboard 200". HipHopDX. January 14, 2019. Archived from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  20. ↑ "YNW Melly Drops "We All Shine" Featuring Kanye West". HotNewHipHop. January 18, 2019. Archived from the original on January 18, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  21. ↑ "YNW Melly Releases "We All Shine" Project With Kanye West Guest Appearance". HipHopDX. January 18, 2019. Archived from the original on January 18, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  22. ↑ "YNW Melly". Spotify. Archived from the original on October 30, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  23. ↑ Espinoza, Joshua (October 26, 2021). "YNW Melly Releases 'Melly vs. Melvin' Album". Complex. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  24. ↑ "King Von divulga nova música "Rollin" com YNW Melly junto clipe; confira". 24 Horas. November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on December 22, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  25. ↑ "King Von - Rolling (feat. YNW Melly)". rap4all.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  26. ↑ Johnson, Patrick (October 26, 2021). "YNW Melly and Juice WRLD Collaborate for "Suicidal" Remix (UPDATE)". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  27. ↑ Price, Joe (March 5, 2021). "YNW Melly and Kodak Black Team-Up on New Single "Thugged Out"". Complex. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Pieces (Feat. Queen Naija) by YNW Melly on Spotify". Spotify. July 2, 2021. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Best Friends 4L (Feat. Lil Tjay) by YNW Melly on Spotify". August 5, 2021. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021 – via Spotify.
  30. ↑ Rose, Jordan (August 13, 2021). "Listen to YNW Melly's New Album 'Just A Matter of Slime' f/ Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, Future, and More". Complex. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  31. ↑ Svetz, Josh (December 16, 2019). "REVIEW: YNW MELLY SERVES UP SKIPPABLE 'MELLY VS. MELVIN'". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Teen charged with firing gun at group near Vero Beach High School". TC Palm. October 20, 2015. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  33. 1 2 "How YNW Melly turned his pain into beautiful rap ballads". The FADER. Archived from the original on August 3, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  34. ↑ Jamell Maurice Demons Arrest Information. Ft Myers, FL: Lee County Sheriff's Office. June 30, 2018. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  35. ↑ Jamell Maurice Demons Arrest Information. Ft Myers, FL: Lee County Sheriff's Office. January 3, 2019. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  36. ↑ Jamell Maurice Demons Arrest Information. Miramar, FL: Miramar Police, FL. February 13, 2019. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  37. ↑ Johnson, Jazzi (February 14, 2019). "Florida Rapper YNW Melly Turns Himself In After Being Charged In The Killings Of His Best Friends - Blavity". blavity.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  38. ↑ Levenson, Eric (February 14, 2019). "Rising rapper YNW Melly grieved publicly for two friends. Police say he killed them". CNN. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  39. ↑ "YNW Melly Double-Murder Trial Date Prompts Passionate Reactions from Hotboii & YNW BSlime". November 30, 2021. Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  40. ↑ "YNW Melly Demands To Get Murder Trial Underway". May 26, 2022. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  41. ↑ "YNW Melly Death Penalty Dropped From Double-Murder Trial". July 6, 2022. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Today Melly wins motion to remove death penalty against prosecution - management 👏👏👏". July 6, 2022. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  43. ↑ Donahue, Bill (July 6, 2022). "YNW Melly No Longer Facing Death Penalty in Double Murder Case". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  44. ↑ Espinoza, Joshua (July 6, 2022). "YNW Melly No Longer Facing the Death Penalty in Double Murder Case". Complex. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  45. ↑ Gallagher, Alex (November 11, 2022). "YNW Melly potentially facing death penalty if convicted after new appeals court ruling". NME. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  46. ↑ Strauss, Matthew (November 10, 2022). "YNW Melly Potentially Facing Death Penalty After Appeals Court Ruling". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  47. ↑ Donahue, Bill (November 10, 2022). "YNW Melly Could Face Death Penalty After Florida Appeals Court Sides With Prosecutors". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  48. ↑ Price, Joe (November 10, 2022). "YNW Melly Might Face Death Penalty If Convicted Following Appeals Court Decision". Complex. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  49. ↑ Helfand, Raphael (November 11, 2022). "YNW Melly facing potential death penalty following new ruling". The Fader. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  50. ↑ Donahue, Bill (February 2, 2023). "YNW Melly Takes Death Penalty Question to Florida Supreme Court". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  51. ↑ Donahue, Bill (March 7, 2023). "Prosecutors Urge Florida Supreme Court to Steer Clear of YNW Melly's Death Penalty Case". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  52. 1 2 Blake, Cole (April 11, 2023). "YNW Melly's Trial Begins Jury Selection". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  53. 1 2 Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (April 11, 2023). "YNW MELLY'S MURDER TRIAL GETS UNDERWAY". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  54. 1 2 YNW Melly murder case ends in mistrial Archived July 22, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Sun-Sentinel, Rafael Olmeda, July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  55. ↑ "Judge declares mistrial in YNW Melly double murder case". July 22, 2023. Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  56. ↑ YNW Trial Set for October Archived July 29, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Sun Sentinel, Angie DiMichele, Rafael Olmeda, July 29, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  57. ↑ "YNW Melly Tests Positive for COVID-19 in Jail". Pitchfork. April 2, 2020. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  58. ↑ McLaughlin, Kelly. "Tekashi 6ix9ine has been released from prison to serve the rest of his sentence at home because of the coronavirus". Insider. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  59. ↑ Espinoza, Joshua (April 15, 2020). "Judge Reportedly Orders YNW Melly to Remain in Jail Despite COVID-19 Diagnosis". Complex. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
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