Jayda Wayda turns up to NBA YoungBoy’s “What You Is” — and fans think it’s shade at Lil Baby [VIDEO]
The influencer’s birthday clip has the internet debating whether she was simply vibing to the music — or sending a message.
This morning (September 26), social media influencer and entrepreneur Jayda Wayda (real name Jayda Cheaves) sent the internet into overdrive after a video of her dancing to NBA YoungBoy’s new track “What You Is” went viral. The seven-second clip, originally shared to her Instagram Stories before being reposted by the NBA YoungBoy fan account @GGNBAYB, shows Jayda vibing in a luxury bathroom during her 28th birthday celebration.
Wearing a sheer pink sequined bodysuit from her own Wayda Collection, Jayda confidently danced along to the hook of the track — body-rolling, twerking, and laughing with the carefree energy that’s become her online trademark. With over 250,000 views in just hours, the clip immediately sparked conversations that went far beyond her choreography.
The reason? Her history with rapper Lil Baby, with whom she shares a son, Loyal. Fans quickly connected the dots between her dancing to YoungBoy — one of Lil Baby’s long-time rivals — and what looked like a subtle flex or even shade.
The Song Behind the Clip: NBA YoungBoy’s “What You Is”
“What You Is,” a standout cut from YoungBoy’s newest, album Make America Say Again, features fellow artist Mellow Rackz. The track blends YoungBoy’s signature intensity with melodic vulnerability, as he raps about loyalty, fake love, and sacrifice. Produced by Block, its slow, bass-heavy beat is tailor-made for TikTok and Instagram dances, especially twerk videos.
The section Jayda chose to highlight includes lyrics like:
“You say I ain’t your man, but I feel I’m somethin’ deeper / I’m a softly spoken creature, and I know you wanna see me fly.”
Those lines hit differently against the backdrop of Jayda’s life. While she’s been tied to Lil Baby for years, the relationship ended in 2024 amid cheating rumors, leaving her to embrace single motherhood and entrepreneurial independence. Dancing to a rival’s introspective song felt both playful and pointed. Therefore, reinforcing her image as someone unbothered and thriving post-breakup.
The Layered Drama: Lil Baby vs. NBA YoungBoy
The real reason fans latched onto the video has less to do with Jayda’s dance moves and more to do with hip-hop politics. Lil Baby and NBA YoungBoy’s tension dates back to 2020, when subtle lyrical disses and behind-the-scenes affiliations sparked a cold war between their camps. By 2022, the rivalry had escalated into open shots in songs and subliminal posts online.
While the two rappers haven’t traded direct words in years, the beef simmers quietly. So when Jayda, Lil Baby’s high-profile ex and the mother of his child, is seen enthusiastically turning up to YoungBoy’s music, fans immediately interpreted it as a provocation — even if she never said a word.
Some saw it as her independence shining through: no longer defined by her relationship with Lil Baby, she’s free to enjoy whatever music she chooses. Others framed it as a deliberate jab, with one X user writing: “who needs enemies when you got a bm like dis.”
Jayda Wayda’s Role in Influencer Culture
Jayda Wayda is more than just Lil Baby’s ex. She’s built her own empire through The Wayda Collection, beauty partnerships, and a massive social media following of over 10 million. Her brand thrives on the interplay of fashion, lifestyle, and authenticity. So, videos like this are central to how she maintains relevance.
By posting a curated clip of herself dancing in a luxury bathroom, in designer clothing, to one of the hottest rap tracks of the moment, Jayda isn’t just “having fun.” She’s reinforcing her persona: confident, independent, glamorous, and always connected to hip-hop’s cultural heartbeat.
This strategy aligns with broader influencer marketing trends, where lifestyle content — especially visually striking videos — drives engagement, brand loyalty, and continued relevance. For Jayda, moments like this are as much about business as they are about expression.
Fan Reactions: Thirst, Shade, and Memes
Unsurprisingly, reactions to the video on X were divided.
Positive/Thirsty Takes:
Many fans hyped Jayda up for her confidence and body-positivity. Comments like “She got so much back there” and “She made a million before Lil Baby… more established than him” flooded replies. Some reposted the video simply to celebrate her glow-up, calling her “that girl.”
Critical/Negative Takes:
Others accused her of clout-chasing or relying solely on her status as Lil Baby’s ex for attention. One reply read: “This bitch is literally only a celebrity because she’s a rapper’s baby mama. No talent.” Some also tied the video to her recent comments about not being a “9-to-5 mom,” suggesting hypocrisy.
Humor and Memes:
Then came the memes. One of the most-liked replies joked: “who needs enemies when you got a bm like dis” — implying that Lil Baby must be fuming. Others simply wrote “TURN AROUND !!!” or used reaction GIFs of men watching jealously.
Overall, the clip sparked thousands of comments and quote tweets, with debates ranging from body positivity to hip-hop politics to influencer privilege.
Beyond the Shade: A Cultural Moment
Whether or not Jayda intended to shade Lil Baby, her video illustrates a bigger truth about modern celebrity culture. In today’s digital ecosystem, personal relationships, even dances, and curated aesthetics often carry more weight than traditional talent.
For Jayda, a seven-second clip has once again kept her name in headlines. So, it reinforced her brand and tied her story to some of hip-hop’s biggest names. For NBA YoungBoy, it’s free promo — an entertaining moment boosting streams of “What You Is.” For fans, it’s entertainment, drama, and discourse rolled into one.
It’s also a reminder of how women in hip-hop-adjacent spaces navigate double standards: celebrated for confidence, yet criticized for “clout-chasing.” Jayda seems unbothered. Thus, blowing a kiss to the camera as if to say she knows exactly what she’s doing.
Closing Thoughts
Jayda Wayda’s birthday dance wasn’t just a fun video. It was a cultural flashpoint: a nod to NBA YoungBoy, a possible jab at Lil Baby, and a savvy piece of influencer branding. Love her or hate her, Jayda knows how to keep the internet talking — and in today’s time, that’s the real measure of power.