YNW Melly, real name Jamell Maurice Demons, is an American rapper and singer. He was born on May 1, 1999, and raised by his single mother, Jamie Demons-King.
The rapper rose to fame in 2018 following the release of the hit single Murder on My Mind, which peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song currently has over 680 million views on YouTube and 1.15 billion listens on Spotify, leading to him signing a long-term contract with the record label 300 Entertainment.
He has released several dozen songs since then, including Mama Cry, Dangerously In Love, and Suicidal, and collaborated with well-known personalities like Kanye West, Trippie Redd, and Tee Grizzle.
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However, YNW Melly’s surging career came to an abrupt stop when he was incarcerated in February 2019 with two counts of first-degree murder. The charge has significantly affected his career and his rising net worth. Here’s what YNW Melly’s net worth is today, as well as other details of his imprisonment.
What Is YNW Melly’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, YNW Melly’s net worth is believed to be approximately $5 million. Much of his income stems from his career as a rapper.
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With many of his songs exceeding 100 million listens on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and other music streaming platforms, he reportedly earns no less than $35,000 a month from streaming revenue alone. He also makes a notable amount from album sales and digital downloads.
With that said, some sources claim that YNW Melly’s net worth plummeted significantly following his arrest and subsequent imprisonment at Broward County Jail in February 2019 for second-degree murder.
The songs featured on his YouTube channel were recorded before his 2019 arrest. He’s also released several songs while incarcerated, including Mind of Melvin (November 2019) and Just a Matter of Slime (August 2021), to maintain his financial health and status in the industry.
Why Was YNW Melly Arrested?
On February 13, 2019, YNW Melly was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He allegedly killed his fellow rappers and close friends Anthony Williams, who was 21 at the time, and Christopher Thomas Jr., who was 19, on October 2018 in Miramar, Florida.
According to the prosecution, Melly and his co-defendant, Cortlen “YNW Bortlen” Henry, staged the crime scene to appear as a drive-by shooting after the victims were fatally shot inside their car.
Henry reportedly drove the victims to the hospital, but they were pronounced dead on arrival.
Both Melly and Henry pleaded not guilty. They were taken to the Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they remain to this day. Melly’s first trial ended in a mistrial in July 2023, and he’s awaiting a retrial scheduled for September 2025.
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Final Thoughts
YNW Melly’s net worth as of 2025 is believed to be around $5 million, though some sources claim it could be as low as $500,000 due to the legal trouble he’s currently facing. YNW Melly was arrested for first-degree murder in February 2019 and remains in custody to this day. His trial is scheduled for September 2025.
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