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Is Donte "Tha Gift" Taylor Really Ynw Melly's Dad? All We Know

Robert Thorne • Sep 27, 2026 • 5 min read

• Donte “Tha Gift” Taylor has revealed he is the biological father of the American rapper, YNW Melly
• The Ohio native’s son was earlier accused of killing his two friends and Donte released a remix of his son’s hit song Murder On My Mind in 2019 to profess his alleged son’s innocence
• Aside from music, Donte is said to be a trained phlebotomist

Donte “Tha Gift” Taylor has claimed to be the father of rapper YNW Melly. Donte is also an artist and has made claims that YNW Melly’s mother did not give him the chance to play his role as a father.

The Ohio native came to the limelight shortly after YNW Melly was charged with the murder of his two friends Christopher Thomas Jr. (YNW Juvy) and Anthony Williams Henry (YNW Sakchaser). To show support for his son, Donte released a song titled Melly On Mind.  However, the song was not well received as most people including Melly’s mother, Jamie Demons-King accused him of clout-chasing.

Personal Profile

• Full name: Donte Taylor
• Nick Name: Tha Gift
• Date of Birth: 1973
• Age: 51 years old
• Place of birth: Elyria Ohio
• Parents: Theresa Malone, William Terrance Taylor
• Siblings: Terrence, Natakia, Terrell Gregory
• Nationality: America
• Ethnicity: Africa-American
• Sexuality: Straight
• Marital Status: Single
• Ex-Girlfriend: Jamie Demons-King
• Children: YNW Melly(Alleged) and 4 others

Donte “Tha Gift” Allegedly YNW Melly’s Father

In 2019, news broke that YNW Melly would be facing the death penalty if he was found guilty of a double homicide. Shortly afterward, Donte “Tha Gift” released an emotional song in honor of the rapper. The song was a reinterpretation of Melly’s hit song Murder On Mind. 

At that time, it was still unclear if Donte fathered Melly. Donte “Tha Gift” later revealed in an interview that he and Melly’s mother, Jamie Demons grew up in Elyria Ohio. Although they went to the same school, he got to know her through his brother who was dating her sister at that time.

Melly’s alleged father also added that when Jamie got pregnant, her mother moved her to Florida. That made it quite difficult for him to see Melly. Despite being away during his child’s formative years, Donte reportedly went to court in other to have access to his son.

Donte claimed that YNW Melly’s mother never wanted him in their son’s life. Although she did not give Melly Donte’s last name, she gave him his middle name which is Maurice.

YNW Melly’s supposed father had paternity test results as proof of his relationship with the rapper. More so, there are sites that say Melly once revealed on Instagram Live that his family is from Elyria Ohio.

Donte Taylor is from Elyria Ohio

In 2019, Donte revealed in an interview that he was 36 years old. Going by that, he was born in 1973. He is the son of Theresa Malone and William Terrance Taylor and was raised in Elyria with his siblings, William Terrance Young Tee Taylor Jr., Terrell Gregory, and Nataki Jackson.

It is speculated that he attended Elyria High School alongside his brother, Terrence, who later died at the age of 32 on October 13, 2013.

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