Nettspend's Age Revealed: 5 Shocking Facts About The 18-Year-Old Gen-Z Rap Phenomenon

Nettspend is currently 18 years old, a fact that remains one of the most surprising elements of his meteoric rise to fame in the Gen-Z rap scene. Born on March 18, 2007, the rapper—whose real name is Gunner Shepardson—has achieved career milestones in 2024 and 2025 that many artists decades his senior only dream of, including major label deals and high-profile festival appearances. His youth is central to his polarizing and authentic appeal, fueling both intense online adoration and critical scrutiny.

As of December 11, 2025, Nettspend is firmly established as one of the most talked-about figures in the underground and mainstream hip-hop crossover, largely due to his relentless output and unique sound. The question of "how old is Nettspend" is often the first search query for new listeners who are stunned that the abrasive, experimental sound of tracks like "Drankdrankdrank" and his 2025 album Early Life Crisis comes from an artist barely out of high school, showcasing the unprecedented speed of modern internet-driven stardom. This article breaks down his biography and the five most shocking facts about his career.

Nettspend Biography & Profile: The Gunner Shepardson File

The foundation of Nettspend's enigmatic persona is his real-life profile, which grounds his internet fame in a surprisingly traditional backstory for a Gen-Z star. He has quickly transitioned from an underground SoundCloud sensation to a major label artist under Grade A/Interscope Records, all before his 19th birthday.

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• Full Name: Gunner Shepardson (also cited as Gunner Green Shepardson)
• Stage Name: Nettspend
• Date of Birth: March 18, 2007
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 18 years old
• Birthplace: Richmond, Virginia, United States
• Nationality: American
• Genre: Gen-Z Rap, Plugg, Jerk, Experimental Hip Hop
• Debut Song: "Miscommunication" (released April 10, 2021)
• Breakthrough: Viral snippet of "Drankdrankdrank" (late 2023)
• Major Label: Grade A Productions / Interscope Records
• Height (Approx.): 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)
• Estimated Net Worth (2025): Projected to be between $3 million and $5 million, driven by streaming revenue, label advances, and touring.

5 Shocking Facts About Nettspend's Career Rise Before Age 19

Nettspend's career arc is a perfect case study in the power of internet virality and the accelerated pace of the modern music industry. His journey from a local Richmond, Virginia artist to a globally recognized name happened in a matter of months, not years, making his story particularly unique.

1. He Released His Major 2025 Album at Just 18 Years Old

One of the most significant achievements in Nettspend’s young career is the release of his second studio album, Early Life Crisis, which dropped on June 6, 2025. This project followed his critically acclaimed 2024 debut mixtape, Bad Ass F*cking Kid, showcasing an unprecedented level of creative maturity and output for an artist who was still 17 when his debut mixtape was released. The album title itself, Early Life Crisis, is a direct nod to his extreme youth and the sudden, overwhelming pressures of fame he experienced after his "Drankdrankdrank" snippet went viral on platforms like Twitter (X) and TikTok in late 2023.

The rapid-fire release schedule continued in 2025 with the surprise two-pack single/EP, gone too soon, which arrived on August 22, 2025. The two-song compilation, featuring tracks like "her friends" and "Shut Up," demonstrated his ability to constantly evolve his sound while maintaining the abrasive, lo-fi aesthetic that defines his brand of Gen-Z rap.

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2. His Musical Influences Are Surprisingly Diverse

While Nettspend's music is often categorized alongside contemporary experimental rappers like Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, and Travis Scott—artists he has cited as inspirations—his personal list of influences is far more eclectic and unexpected. Before he began rapping in the fifth grade, his musical palette was shaped by pop icons of the early 2000s and 2010s. This includes artists such as Michael Jackson, Katy Perry, and Justin Bieber.

This surprising blend of influences helps explain the unique, often melodic, and sometimes chaotic nature of his music. He takes the emotional rawness of Gen-Z's internet culture and filters it through a surprisingly broad understanding of pop structure and hip-hop experimentation, creating a sound that is both familiar and jarringly new. This topical authority on his influences is crucial to understanding the evolution of the "jerk" and "plugg" subgenres he champions.

3. He Was Named a Rapper to Watch in 2025 by Complex

Despite his relatively short time in the spotlight, Nettspend’s impact was undeniable by the end of 2024, leading to a major endorsement from a prominent music publication. Complex magazine recognized his undeniable momentum, naming him one of the "25 Rappers To Watch In 2025." This acknowledgment solidifies his transition from an internet anomaly to a legitimate, industry-recognized talent.

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The Complex recognition highlights his savvy navigation of the underground scene, including his work in the "4ersona era" and key collaborations with figures like xaviersobased on the 2024 track "impact." His ability to maintain creative control while signing with a major label like Grade A/Interscope further demonstrates a level of business acumen rare for an 18-year-old.

4. He Dropped Out of School to Pursue Music

In a move that mirrors many successful artists who prioritize their passion over traditional education, Nettspend made the decision to drop out of school to fully dedicate himself to his music career. This choice, made at a critical developmental age, underscores the intensity of his commitment and the speed at which his career took off following the viral success of "Drankdrankdrank."

This decision, while controversial to some, allowed him to maintain the prolific release schedule that characterized his 2024 and 2025 output. It provided the necessary time to tour, record his Bad Ass F*cking Kid mixtape, and complete his 2025 album Early Life Crisis, all while navigating the complexities of his new life in the public eye.

5. His Initial Fame Was Built Entirely on a 15-Second Viral Snippet

Nettspend's journey to stardom is the quintessential modern success story, proving that a single, short piece of content can launch a global career. His massive surge in popularity was initially driven by a 15-second snippet of his song "Drankdrankdrank" that circulated on Twitter (X) in late 2023.

The viral clip sparked immediate debate and curiosity, with many users questioning the song's genre and the artist's identity. This organic, curiosity-driven virality was the catalyst that led to a deeper exploration of his back catalog, which included his early 2021 song "Miscommunication" and his subsequent signing to a major record label. Without that single, polarizing snippet, the world might never have heard the sound that now defines the next generation of internet rap.