YG Shares Personal History of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Rapper YG has recently made a deeply personal disclosure, revealing that he was a victim of sexual abuse during his childhood.

In an emotional interview with ABC News, the artist from Compton spoke about an incident involving an older woman who took advantage of him when he was 14 years old. He also discussed how he addresses this traumatic experience in his recent single, “2004.”

YG stated that he had kept this secret for a significant period, noting that his family first learned about this event when the song was released publicly.

The “FDT” rapper also expressed his belief that experiences similar to his own are far more common among men than is generally acknowledged.

He recounted that when he shared the song with others, particularly male listeners, a large majority of them shared comparable stories of their own experiences with sexual abuse. This led to conversations where many men revealed, “Yeah, I was sexually abused.”

YG also admitted that he did not fully recognize that he had been sexually assaulted until many years after the event occurred. He explained that initially, he might have viewed the encounter with an older woman differently, but with time and understanding, he came to the realization, “I got raped.”

In the lyrics of “2004,” YG directly addresses the abuse, rapping about being taken advantage of by someone significantly older when he was young and how that event fundamentally altered his perspective.

He also touches on the lasting impact of the trauma, including feelings of distrust and the sense of having had no agency in the situation. He recounts the age disparity and the specific nature of the abuse he endured, stating that he kept the secret for a long time, even while being in a relationship with the abuser’s niece, which caused him significant emotional distress.

YG’s lyrics also graphically describe aspects of the sexual activity, further emphasizing the violation he experienced and his subsequent feelings of disgust and confusion as he matured and understood the gravity of what happened.

YG’s openness about this deeply personal and painful experience may serve as a catalyst for broader discussions about male sexual abuse and its often-hidden prevalence and long-term effects on survivors. His willingness to share his story could encourage others who have experienced similar trauma to feel less alone and to seek support.