NBA YoungBoy Launches 45‑Date MASA Tour Across 23 U.S. States

When Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, known worldwide as NBA YoungBoy announced his MASA Tour, fans finally got a reason to celebrate the rapper’s first headlining run in five years.

The tour kicked off on Monday, September 1, 2025, at 7:30 PM Central Time inside the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, and is slated to wrap up on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 7:30 PM Pacific Time at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

Produced by Live Nation Entertainment, the tour supports Gaulden’s eighth studio album, MASA, released earlier this year through Motown Records, a division of Universal Music Group.

Background: YoungBoy’s Comeback

Since the Still Flexin, Still Steppin Tour wrapped in 2020, YoungBoy has kept a low profile, dropping mixtapes and surprise singles from his home studio in Louisiana. The hype surrounding his return has been fueled by a string of chart‑topping tracks on Billboard’s Hot 100 and a growing social‑media frenzy. "People have been asking when I’m finally going to hit the road again," Gaulden told Rolling Stone in a June interview. That promise materialized in the form of the Make America Slime Again Tour – a tongue‑in‑cheek nod to a meme that’s been circulating among his fanbase since 2023.

Industry analysts note that a full‑scale arena trek after a multi‑year hiatus is a risky move, but the rapper’s streaming numbers suggest the gamble could pay off. Last quarter, his catalog amassed 4.2 billion streams globally, placing him among the top‑10 most‑played hip‑hop artists of 2025.

Tour Details and Expanded Schedule

Initially slated as a 27‑date run, the tour’s itinerary ballooned to 45 shows after Live Nation added five extra dates in May and a further 13 in June to meet “unprecedented demand” during presales. The added legs stretched the trek from the Deep South to the Pacific Northwest, covering 23 states and 28 venues.

Two stops were later canceled: the September 24 show at Chicago’s United Center due to security concerns linked to Gaulden’s ongoing feud with Lil Durk and the October 6 performance at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena because of “unforeseen circumstances.” The cancellations were confirmed by the venues and reflected in the tour’s official Wikipedia entry.

Fans in smaller markets such as Portland, Oregon, will see the lowest‑priced tickets at $59, a stark contrast that illustrates the pricing tier’s wide range.

Ticketing, Pricing, and VIP Packages

Presale access opened on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, exclusively for fan‑club members, followed by a general onsale two days later at 10:00 AM local time via LiveNation.com. Prices fluctuated dramatically based on venue size and local demand. The most expensive seats – $452 – were reserved for the October 24 performance at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, while the budget‑friendly $59 option landed at the November 11 show in Portland’s Moda Center.

For those looking for a more exclusive experience, VIP Nation LLC rolled out a handful of premium packages. The bundle includes a backstage tour, access to a pre‑show VIP lounge, a specially designed gift pack, and a meet‑and‑greet with the artist when possible. Prices for VIP tickets ranged from $650 in Dallas to $1,200 in Los Angeles, reflecting the varying value of the added perks.

Supporting Acts and Creative Direction

A rotating roster of up‑and‑coming rappers joined YoungBoy on stage. Regular openers include DeeBaby, K3, Lil Dump, NoCap, Offset, and Toosii. NoCap and Toosii alternate dates to keep the lineup fresh, while surprise guest appearances from Kevin Gates, Mellow Rackz, and OTB Fastlane have sparked viral moments on social media.

Behind the scenes, the visual aesthetic was coordinated by Teyana Taylor. The singer‑songwriter, who also served as creative director for the tour’s photography and stage design, described the mood as “gritty, yet hopeful,” aiming to reflect the duality of YoungBoy’s lyrical themes.

Impact and Fan Reception

Early ticket‑sale numbers suggest the tour will be one of the biggest hip‑hop arena runs of the year. According to Pollstar, the Dallas opening night sold out within three hours, moving roughly 18,000 seats. Social‑media chatter has been overwhelmingly positive; the hashtag #MASATour trended on Twitter for 12 hours after the first show, tallying over 1.3 million tweets.

Critics, however, note that the setlist leans heavily toward older hits like “No Smoke” and “Outside Today,” with only a handful of tracks from the new MASA album. "Fans will hear the classics they love, but it’s a missed opportunity to showcase his latest work," wrote a reviewer for Pitchfork. Despite that, the energy in venues remains high, and many attendees say the performance feels like a “homecoming.”

What's Next for NBA YoungBoy

Beyond the Seattle finale, Gaulden hinted that a second leg could be announced for early 2026, possibly targeting international markets in Europe and Canada. "I’m not done yet," he said in a post‑show interview in Seattle. Industry insiders also speculate about a possible collaboration album with offset or a surprise feature with Teyana Taylor, given her involvement behind the scenes.

For now, fans will have to wait until the final curtain falls on November 12. But the buzz surrounding the Make America Slime Again Tour indicates that NBA YoungBoy’s return to the live‑music circuit is more than a nostalgia act—it’s a full‑throttle statement that the rapper is here to stay.