young thug
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Prince Williams / Getty
Young Thug ain’t been home but a minute and already the OG ATLien is back in the studio looking to give the streets what they’ve been missing since he was taken into custody in 2022.
In a blurry photo that made social media rounds Monday night (Nov. 11), Young Thug was spotted in a studio session with the likes of Future, Lil Baby and the one and only, Travis Scott. While it can be assumed that the foursome was simply kicking it and making up for lost time, many social media users are hoping that this particular session would lead to a “damn banger” as this is a collaboration of mammoth proportions.
Not-so-conspicuously-missing is the likes of Young Thug’s protege, Gunna, who many felt threw Young Thug and YSL under the bus in order to get himself a reduced sentence and out of prison while Thugger remained behind bars to fight the RICO charges against him. Thug even posted a tweet disavowing any connections to Gunna after he was released from prison but ultimately took it down.
While we don’t know if these men actually laid down a track on the night they all linked up in the studio, it will be interesting to see what kind of bars Thugger dropped as part of his release conditions include him refraining from dropping any gangsta music. So it seems like he’ll be walking a tight rope when it comes to his music going forward.
Are y’all looking forward to this possible collaboration? What kind of music are you expecting from Young Thug now that he’s home? Let us know in the comments section below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
As tensions between Young Thug and Gunna seem to have been renewed, DJ Akademiks shares details that potentially explain the situation better.
Since his release, Young Thug has made it clear to former collaborator and Atlanta rapper Gunna that the two aren’t cool, and DJ Akademiks has shed some light on what’s going on behind the scenes. The rapper shared his thoughts on Gunna in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Gunna stop acting like we friends on the internet. I don’t know you, my guy.” The post has since been deleted.
Akademiks took to X to share his perspective on Young Thug’s post in a thread. “I been told y’all.. Thug told Durk, Baby and a few other rappers that Gunna was no good while he was incarcerated… meaning.. it ain’t no way he can come back out and justify rockin’ wit Gunna when he told n—s not to rock wit Gunna when he was locked,” he wrote.
I been told yall.. Thug told durk baby and a few other rappers that Gunna was no good while he was incarcerated… meaning.. it aint no way he can come back out and justify rockin wit gunna when he told niggas not to rock wit gunna when he was locked.
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) November 9, 2024
“Thug originally wanted to Drop on Gunna release date and was gonna have Baby and Durk as features,” DJ Akademiks continued. “Those features didn’t end up on his project but he literally sent the message to them saying ‘I Don’t Fk w that f–k n—a.. and I wanna drop on his date’ … he also didn’t drop on his date.”
Thug originally wanted to Drop on Gunna release date and was gonna have Baby and Durk as features. Those features didn’t end up on his project but he literally sent the message to them saying ‘I Don’t F*ck w that f*ck nigga.. and I wanna drop on his date’ … he also didn’t drop…
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) November 9, 2024
Lastly, the media personality closed out with this thought: “Thug had to carve out communicating w/ Gunna in the plea deal because there is biz still to be done. He has Gunna in contracts that aren’t completed. If he was barred from having any communication with Gunna.. that would have gave Gunna a legal out in trying to get out the deal.”
Thug had to carve out communicating w/ Gunna in the plea deal because there is biz still to be done. He has Gunna in contracts that aren’t completed. If he was barred from having any communication with Gunna.. that would have gave Gunna a legal out in trying to get out the deal.
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) November 9, 2024
Gunna hasn’t publicly made any comment on the now-deleted post by Young Thug. The explanation could make a lot of sense to those who’ve noted how Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Future, and 21 Savage have kept their distance from him. Young Thug is currently serving a lengthy probationary sentence after being released by Fulton County days ago. He’s been busy working on the community service element, speaking to Emory University students along with his lawyer, Brian Steel, recently.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Prince Williams / Getty
It’s been a few days since Young Thug was finally granted his freedom and allowed to go home. With many in the Hip-Hop culture celebrating his return to the streets, Lil Baby took a moment to welcome home the OG ATLien with an IG post of his own.
Tagging Young Thug on his Instagram Stories, the “In A Minute” rapper expressed his excitement at Thugger’s release and wrote, “I missed you mf!! Welcome home my brudda! Thank God you able to get back to the fam in good health and spirits! Wish ya none but billions jack!”
If the whole “jack!” thing threw you off, Lil Baby was responding to a tweet that Thugger sent out following his release after taking a plea in which he wrote, “Real plea deal jack!”
Real plea deal jack!
— Young Thug ひ (@youngthug) November 3, 2024
But Thugger wasn’t done tweeting. The Slime Season rapper had an interesting message for nobody in particular.
Wham let’s drop one on these rats peter
— Young Thug ひ (@youngthug) November 3, 2024
Yeah, who knows what he’s referring to with this one.
Regardless, Thugger is home and we’re sure he can’t wait to get back into the studio and start cooking to get some bread.
Are y’all looking forward to hearing some new material from Young Thug? Who should he collaborate with? Should he address the whole Gunna situation sooner or later? Let us know in the comments section below.
Kevin Liles, the co-founder and CEO of 300 Entertainment, has issued a statement in the wake of news that Atlanta rapper Young Thug is to be released from prison following a guilty plea on Thursday (Oct. 31).
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Liles, who co-founded 300 Entertainment in 2012 and signed Thug (real name Jeffery Williams) to the label in 2014, issued his statement late on Thursday following the completion of Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial.
“Words can’t express the incredible happiness and relief I feel to learn of Jeffery’s freedom,” Liles stated. “There will be a time to discuss the criminalization of hip-hop lyrics and the use of bond denial as a weapon against defendants, but in this moment everyone should feel nothing but joy that this amazing artist and even better man can hug his children, parents, siblings, and other loved ones tonight.
Trending on Billboard
“We must always remember artists aren’t fictional characters,” he concluded. “They’re human beings first. God bless Jeffery and his family.”
Thug, 33, has spent the past two years in custody, following his arrest in May 2022 with 27 others from his YSL Records label as part of a 56-count indictment for violations of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) law. The trial, which began in November 2023, was built around claims that YSL had committed murders, carjackings, drug dealing and many other crimes.
Following days of closed-door negotiations with Fulton County prosecutors, Thug refused to take a plea deal that would have resulted in his immediate release, ultimately opting for a non-negotiated guilty plea. Late on Thursday, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced Thug to 15 years probation with no time to be served.
Ahead of his sentencing, Thug noted the power and influence he holds in his community, telling the court he takes “full responsibility for my crimes and for my charges”.
“I know what I bring to the table and I know what I am,” he added. “I know the heights I’ve reached and I know the impact I’ve got on people in the community.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: YouTube / Youtube
Young Thug has taken a plea deal in the YSL (Young Slime Life) case that has lasted nearly a year. The Atlanta rapper now awaits his sentence with his plea signaling the inevitable conclusion of reportedly the longest trial in Georgia’s history.
The New York Times reports that on Thursday (Oct. 31), Young Thug aka Jeffery Lamar Williams pleaded guilty to six counts that included possession of drugs and firearms, conspiracy to violate the RICO act and leading a criminal street gang.
Thugger took a non-negotiated plea deal, which means it will be up to Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker to decide his sentence. Apparently, this option was presented after Thug’s lawyers and the prosecution were unable to come to terms on a plea. Reportedly, the option to plead out and leave court a free man the same day was presented, but Thug didn’t agree to conditions that included 15 years of probation.
Young Thug was near a plea deal that would have released him from jail today on 15 years probation.
But they couldn’t agree on his release conditions, and now prosecutors are recommending 25 years in prison. pic.twitter.com/PiKidTckzM
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) October 31, 2024
It seems that Thug’s hand essentially was forced since last week three of his co-defendants took plea deals.
Now his fate is in the judge’s hands, with prosecutors reportedly recommending the 33-year-old get 45 years with 25 served in prison and another 20 years of probation
Prosecutors characterized the rapper as the ringleader of a YSL gang that loomed over the streets of Atlanta, dabbling in robbery and drug dealing, among other crimes. And then, his music career happened to flourish, too.
While Young Thug has taken a plea, his remained co-defendants—Deamonte Kendrick aka Yak Gotti, and Shannon Stillwell aka SB—who are charged with a murder in 2015, amongst other counts.
YSL was originally indicted on RICO charges and its alleged members were arrested in 2022, and jury selection took nearly a year. The trial, which has been streamed online, has featured dramatic turns of botched plea deals, witnesses refusing to testify, rap lyrics being read in court and more dramatics straight out of a TV crime drama.
However, the players are very real. Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steel, who at one point was threatened with contempt charges, is making the case that his client has been denied justice. See social media’s response to the latest YSL trial antics in the gallery.
YOUNG THUG’S LAWYER SAYS THE PROSECUTION HAS MIS-STATED AND MISREPRESENTED THE EVIDENCE
HE IS NOW GOING THROUGH ALL THE ALLEGATIONS IN THE INDICTMENT 1 BY 1 AND EXPLAINING THE EVIDENCE THAT THE STATE LEFT OUT pic.twitter.com/yUx0GeMNai
— THUGGERDAILY ひ (@ThuggerDaily) October 31, 2024
This story is developing.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Young Thug will remain behind bars along with his co-defendants after the new judge overseeing the YSL RICO trial has denied the group bond. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker also denied requests by prosecutors to place gag orders on attorneys from speaking to the media.
As reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Young Thug attorney Brian Steel stated to the court that his client has been living under poor conditions at Cobb County and asked that the rapper be released and placed on house arrest during an argument for bond.
In response, Judge Whitaker said to Young Thug and his co-defendants’ defense team, “I’m not going to reconsider any bond issues that have already been considered and ruled upon by another court absent legitimate changed circumstances.”
Whitaker came into view after Chief Judge Ural Glanville recused himself due to an ex-parte meeting held in secret in June with prosecutors and a state’s witness. Running for 19th months now, the trial remains the longest Georgia court history but Whittaker promises to move things along.
“It should not take another seven months,” Whitaker said to attorneys during a motion hearing on Tuesday (July 30).
State prosecutors said to the court that they will aim efforts at calling 105 witnesses to the stand. Whitaker is ordering the state to compile a list of evidence in connection to the next 30 witnesses they plan to call.
Further, AJC added in its reporting that the judge is looking over the case to decide whether or not to proceed with the case against Young Thug and his five co-defendants. Four attorneys from the defense have filed mistrial motions with two being denied by Whitaker thus far.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Young Thug’s trial continues to get even more bizarre. The judge who has been overseeing the case since it started has just been removed.
The New York Times is reporting that Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rachel Krause filed a written order on Monday, July 15 requesting that Judge Ural Glanville be removed from the case.
For the last 18 months, Glanville has supervised the very chaotic proceedings which have included some very intense witness questioning, an alleged attempt to hand Young Thug drugs in court, and a witness admitting he was high under oath. Things got even more interesting for all parties involved when Judge Ural hosted a private meeting on June 10 with both prosecutors from the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office and state witness Kenneth Copeland.
Under a legal lens, this session is deemed as an “ex parte” meeting which is Latin for “by or for one party”. In essence, the defendant’s legal representation was not involved in the discussion thus the move can be viewed as unfair or as that the magistrate is not impartial.
In her request for recusal Judge Rachel Krause made it clear that she doesn’t disapprove of his decision to hold the private assembly but understands how poorly this might be perceived by the public.
“This Court has no doubt that Judge Glanville can and would continue presiding fairly over this matter if the recusal motions were denied, but the ‘necessity of preserving the public’s confidence in the judicial system’ weighs in favor of excusing Judge Glanville from further handling of this case,” Krause wrote.
In a statement to The Washington Post Young Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel (pictured above) said, “We look forward to proceeding with a trial judge who will fairly and faithfully follow the law.”
It is unclear who will take over as the judge or when the trial will recommence. You can read the order to recuse Judge Glanville here.
—
Photo: CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Variety / Getty
It’s been a few weeks since it was revealed that the judge overseeing Young Thug’s RICO trial, Judge Ural Glanville had an “improper” meeting with both prosecutors and the lead witness in the trial after Young Thugs lawyer, Brian Steele brought the allegation to light.
While Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steele was punished and sentenced to 20 days in jail for refusing to name the source of his information that he “shouldn’t have gotten,” Judge Glanville has dismissed requests he recuse himself from the case for his action (is Judge Ural Glanville related to Clarence Thomas or something, just asking?). Now according to USA Today, Glanville has decided to somewhat comply with the motion by sending it to another judge to determine whether or not he should recuse himself from the case.
Until the situation is resolved the RICO trial will be put on hold and luckily for Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steele, he won’t have to report to his weekend prison stints as the Georgia Supreme Court granted an emergency motion for bond and helped him avoid the unjust punishment.
Per USA Today:
The winding legal case, ongoing since the rapper’s indictment in May 2022, has ground to a halt after Fulton County, Georgia, Judge Ural Glanville was accused of misconduct, according to The New York Times and BBC. On Monday, the judge agreed to send a motion for his recusal from the trial for another judge to weigh in, and that the trial would remain in recess until then, the outlets reported.
Thug’s defense attorneys have claimed the judge held an “improper” meeting with prosecutors and a lead witness. Glanville has denied multiple motions for recusal in the last few weeks. Jurors have not heard arguments for two weeks, the Times reported.
The judge said he would release a transcript of the meeting, according to the outlets.
A judge meeting with both prosecutors and the lead witness without the defense counsel knowing really seems as shady as it gets. That being said we’re surprised there’s a transcript of the meeting, but who’s to say it’ll be an accurate recording of their meeting? Just sayin.’
What do y’all think of this latest development in the trial of Young Thug? Should the judge recuse himself? Is it being blown out of proportion? Let us know in the comments section below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Young Thug and his ongoing RICO trial in Georgia has undergone several twists and turns and the latest instance stands out as one of the most explosive. Earlier this week, attorney Brian Steel, who represents Young Thug in the YSL RICO trial, was held in contempt of court and ordered held for 10 weekends behind bars.
Local outlet 11 Alive reports that Judge Ural Glanville told Brian Steel that Steel’s failure to share the name of his source regarding a private meeting between Glanville, the State, and key witness Kenneth Copeland is why he charged Steel with the action.
The outlet adds that Judge Glanville gave Steel several warnings about being in contempt which Steel bypassed. Instead, the attorney stated that the court was in violation because his client didn’t have any representation at the private meeting.
“I’m going to give you five minutes. If you don’t tell me who it is, I’m going to put you in contempt,” Glanville said. Steel responded with, “I don’t need five minutes.”
After a recess, the judge once more demanded details and Steel refused.
“Mr. Steel, I’m going to ask you again. I need you to tell me how you got this information. This is so sacrosanct to have a conversation in my chambers parroted to you,” Glanville said.
Steel then motioned for a mistrial which the judge denied, and he was taken into custody right after. From there the judge read the terms of Steel’s jail time.
“Those 20 days consisting of every weekend for the next 10 weekends,” Glanville added. “And you’ll be reporting to 901 Rice Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30318. At 7 p.m. on Fridays, you’ll be released on 7 p.m. on Sundays. And it’s to commence this Friday, June the 14th at 7 p.m. and not to end until Sunday, August the 18th, 2024, at 7 p.m.”
A video of the exchange captured by 11 Alive is posted below.
[embedded content]
—
Photo: CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Aaron J. Thornton / Getty
Another familiar face is about to make an appearance at Young Thug’s RICO trial. Rich Homie Quan has been called to testify.
As reported by HipHopDX the former Rich Gang member will see his former collaborator in person in court. According to the X, formerly known as Twitter, account @ThuggerDaily, a fan account that provides daily updates on Young Thug, Rich Homie Quan has been formally subpoenaed by the State of Georgia to testify. “He is expected to take the stand in the upcoming few weeks. Just to be clear – this does NOT mean he cooperated or will cooperate” the caption read. The post also included a screenshot of the subpoena which reads confirms the Lieutenant Investigator’s serving of Dequantes Lamar, Rich Homie Quan’s government name.
This subpoena should not be taken as a sign that Rich Homie Quan will be taking the stand against Young Thug. A subpoena is simply a written order that requires an individual to appear before a court during a legal proceeding. The two previously collaborated during their run at Cash Money Records with their biggest being “Lifestyle”. Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug would go their separate ways but Quan has always spoken highly on Thug.
In an interview with VladTV he revealed those were some of the best years of his life. “Even now I don’t have no bad blood with [Young] Thug or Bird [Man]. We were all in a great place in our life and that’s what it is about. At any time we can press play and do it again” he said.
It is unclear when Rich Homie Quan will testify.