Yelawolf
Social media
Song lyrics
Biography
Yelawolf, born Michael Wayne Atha on December 30, 1979, is an American rapper known for his blend of hip-hop and southern influences.
His mixtape Trunk Muzik (2010) gained him recognition.
Born in Gadsden, Alabama, Yelawolf was raised in Antioch, Tennessee, and spent his youth moving frequently. He says hip-hop "made sense culturally" during his time in Nashville.
Yelawolf’s stage name reflects both his Cherokee heritage and the duality of his personality—combining "Yela," meaning sun in Cherokee, and "Wolf," symbolizing his aggressive, survivalist side.
In 2010, Yelawolf signed to Interscope Records, releasing Trunk Muzik 0-60. He later signed with Eminem's Shady Records, which led to his second album, Radioactive (2011).
His success continued with albums like Love Story (2015), which included the platinum single "Till It’s Gone." In 2019, he released Ghetto Cowboy, his first independent album after leaving major labels.