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Gunna has seemingly moved on from his connection to Young Thug and the wider YSL collective, and a new development in the ongoing RICO case has emerged. According to a fan account on X, formerly Twitter, Gunna will not take the stand in the case.
@ThuggerDaily, an account on X that has been following the YSL RICO trial and offering up-close accounts of the matter, shared the latest news around Gunna via the social media network. The account noted that prosecutors will not call the A Gift & a Curse artist to the stand.
“The State has CONFIRMED that Gunna will NOT be called to the witness stand in the Young Thug & YSL RICO Trial,” @ThuggerDaily wrote. “The judge ordered the state to cut down their list of 700+ witnesses to the ones that they currently intend to call.”
They added,” Their new list of ~200 witnesses names multiple co-defendants who took pleas as witnesses they want to call, but no Gunna. The state not calling him shouldn’t come as a surprise to people who were following the case, but the confirmation is good to have. Will tweet the full list later today.”
The full list of the state’s witnesses can be viewed in the tweet below. As far as we can tell, this is as accurate a report as there can be although we are looking into the details on our end as well. There are several notable names on the list, including Birdman, Rich Homie Quan, YFN Lucci, and more.
Gunna into an Alford plea in 2022 which signaled that he solely plead guilty to one racketeering conspiracy charge but remaining steadfast in his innocence.
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Source: Rolling Stone / Getty
The RICO trial of Young Thug gained another wild moment as a witness admitted to being high while testifying.
On Tuesday (March 19), the racketeering trial of rap star Young Thug and the YSL (Young Slime Life) crew was underway in a Fulton County courtroom. The defense attorneys for Young Thug called Adrian Bean, a witness for the prosecution to the stand. As cross-examination began, Bean leaned forward with his eyes semi-closed. “Man, umm,” he began, “Can I get a water or something? I’m so high right now, y’all, I’m about to go to sleep on y’all now. I am. I ain’t gon’ tell a lie.”
The revelation prompted lead prosecutor and District Attorney Adriane Love to ask Fulton County Supreme Court Judge Ural Glanville for permission to approach the bench. Love brought Bean a bottle of water while Brian Steel, Young Thug’s attorney, asked if Bean was okay enough to continue. Despite expressing how his condition was, Bean replied, “Let’s keep the ball rolling.” The entire moment was captured in the Livestream of the trial.
Bean was called to the trial by the prosecution due to him being one of the witnesses they’re relying on to establish that Young Thug, aka Jeffrey Williams, was at the scene where Donovan Thomas Jr. was killed in a drive-by shooting Sept. 11, 2013. But further cross-examination by the defense of Bean seemed to support their argument that police were pressuring Bean to say Young Thug was at the scene. Bean also expressed that he couldn’t recall key facts during testimony he gave in February, citing his history of drug use.
The trial has seen multiple instances of outlandish behavior from one attorney joking that they would open an OnlyFans account to supplement their income to DA Love and a defense attorney getting into an argument so heated that Judge Glanville had to step in and ask them to “take it down a notch.” He also found himself admonishing the courtroom audience as a defense lawyer quipped about the exchange later that day. “I didn’t ask anyone to laugh in the gallery. This is a courtroom. Not some entertainment forum for you,” Judge Glanville stated.
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Dame Dash continues to be vocal about his former business partners. He claims Lyor Cohen is taking advantage of Young Thug while he sits in jail.
As spotted on Hip Hop DX, the Harlem, New York, native is continuing to own his narrative via his America Nu Network. In the newest episode of The CEO Show, Dame spoke with battle Rap legend and media personality, Math Hoffa. While the conversation lasted close to an hour, as expected, the Roc-A-Fella Records founder had a couple of hot takes that quickly went viral. One specifically was his opinion on Young Thug’s current legal issues.
“For me, if I see a kid that’s making music about sh*t that’s gonna get him killed because he’s really doing it, I don’t think I’m putting they records out. I’m not going [to] enable that child” Dash said. “When I look at Young Thug, I’m like, Lyor and them just made a big check and he’s going to jail. They made money off his music.” Dash went on to further detail why he thinks Cohen is doing bad business. “So if they made money off that music and he’s in jail for that, then all that money they made off the music should not go to them. How do they get to get all that money and he has to get a jail cell?”
While Dame Dash continues to champion for the artist, it seems he’s still dealing with some finance issues. Hip Hop DX is also reporting his legal team has filed documentation to formally sever ties with their client over unpaid services. According to documentation obtained by AllHipHop, Sanders Roberts LLP stated that he “failed to fulfill their financial obligations under their retainer agreement, resulting in the firm initiating an enforcement action against them.” Sanders Roberts LLP not only represented the business mogul but also Damon Dash Studios, Poppington LLC and Raquel Horn.
You can see Dame Dash discuss Young Thug and Lyor Cohen below, starting at 19-minute mark.
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HipHopWired sat down and talked with the director and star of the Paramount Plus documentary As We Speak: Rap Music On Trial.
One of the more pressing situations affecting Hip-Hop culture and the communities who love it is the persistent weaponization of rap lyrics in criminal cases throughout the United States and abroad. The most vivid example is the current RICO trial being brought against Young Thug by Fulton County prosecutors in Georgia. Sadly, the general public is still unaware of the scale of these actions by the criminal justice system and its effects – to date, 700 trials have used rap lyrics as evidence since 1990.
Source: Paramount+ / Paramount+
A new documentary, As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial is shining an intense light on how much law enforcement has used rap lyrics to gain convictions in criminal cases. The documentary, which will air on Paramount Plus, is directed and produced by J.M. Harper ((jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy, Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma). As We Speak is filmed through the perspective of Kemba, a talented MC from the Bronx who is our narrator as he talks with various artists such as Killer Mike, Mac Phipps, Glasses Malone, and attorneys like MSNBC’s Ari Melber across the U.S. and in the United Kingdom about their perspectives in unique ways – even kicking off the film by acquiring a two-way pager to keep his communication private. HipHopWired got the chance to speak exclusively with Harper and Kemba about the film and its message.
HipHopWired: J.M., what was the artistic spark for doing this project? Was it always your intent to get the point of view from somebody who rhymes like Kemba as the main narrator for the project?
J.M. Harper: Really, what we’ve seen with the Young Thug trial especially is, that most of the time this issue is talked about in the national news, and the artist in question is always silent. You don’t hear that they’re told to be silent, they’re made to be silent. And so that was the most obvious entry point for me, was that you could tell the story from the artist’s perspective, and there was just probably something new and interesting to learn there. And something true to learn that that wasn’t being told to us through the D.A. or the prosecutors, or even the news media that was covering it. I knew that Kemba could tell that story with nuance and perspective and do it the way that I had seen some of the great black minds of our time – the great minds of our time, period – but certainly the great black minds of our time who could take something, an issue that seemed one way at first blush, and really articulate it in a way that reached everybody, no matter where you come from. That’s why I thought of Kimba. And I think that’s what he does in the film.
HHW: So Kemba, with doing this film and connecting with some of the other artists that have been under duress, unfortunately, like Mac Phipps – how was it for you to gain more insight into their experiences in talking with them for the film?
Kemba: It was a lot of emotions. Mac Phipps, I have so much respect for, just because he wasn’t upset. He wasn’t bitter. I would definitely be. He just had such an excitement for the rest of his life. You know, in hearing the story…it made me upset. I see why people don’t have faith in the justice system. How somebody could lose 30 years of their life, even when somebody confesses to the crime they get convicted for. How somebody could have their lives twisted against them, a line from this song, a line from that song. It was really unbelievable to hear. And we heard the experiences of a few different people like that, that their art forms are being taken away from them or being used against them. Yeah, it was eye-opening.
HHW: We get a chance in the film to connect with different artists from cities across the globe. What were the most memorable experiences in filming those segments for you both?
Harper: For me, it was Chicago. Just being able to talk to some of the first drill rappers, period. The way that they, 10 or 15 years on, talked about their experience with the labels. Getting 100 grand from a label to talk about what was happening around you. I didn’t know that Chi-raq, Drillinois was a term – I didn’t know about the Driilinois terminology, that it came from the first drill producer. And that term was used on CNN every night around that time. The origin stories of the music, and the complexities there that just hadn’t been spoken about and hadn’t been amplified. I’m sure they were being spoken about, but not until we were able to capture it within this whole context of black history. Could it be sort of put into a context that applies to what’s happening right now in courtrooms? That was one of the most compelling moments of it, every city presented something new. But for me, Chicago was special for that reason.
Kemba: Yeah, I agree about Chicago. I will say Atlanta, just speaking to Killer Mike. And he has a wealth of knowledge. But also, just learning about this. So the history, just to look how far back all this goes, like art being sort of not seen or not considered. Not respected as art. Back from rock and roll to Blues to jazz, back to Negro spirituals, and how this is just the sort of newest iteration of that. That was super surprising to me.
HHW: This is going to be my last question, kind of a little bit on the fun side. Whose idea was it to kick everything off with getting the two-way pager?
Harper: (laughs) So when I was cutting the Kanye jeen-yuhs documentary, which is mostly set in the late 90s, early 2000s, Kanye would always be like writing in the two-way. Two-way this, two-way that. Then I saw that it was all over the place in the music videos around that time and the Hip-Hop community had really embraced a two-way for its short life in between the invention of the pager and the cell phone texting. That became a really interesting starting-off point and then bringing it into the pawn shop was great. Those guys speaking in patois, I didn’t even ask them to talk like that. They asked, “can we say something?” I was like, “yeah” and they just started going off. It was just really organic. This little piece of Hip-Hop history was a perfect vessel for Kemba to be writing and communicating with, thinking that he was off the grid. So, that’s where it came from.
As We Speak: Rap Music On Trial airs on Paramount Plus on February 27.
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Trontavious Stephens, a co-founder of YSL, took the stand in the ongoing RICO trial where Young Thug and his co-defendants hope to disassociate themselves from alleged ties to criminal activity. During the 20th day of the trial, Stephens explained Young Thug’s name, gang signs, and more.
As reported by local outlet Fox 5 Atlanta, Trontavious Stephens, 30, was questioned at length by prosecutors looking to land a big win in taking down Thug and his co-defendants over their alleged criminal acts. During the series of cross-examinations spanning days, Stephens, also known as Tick or Slug, discussed his YSL connection, alleged gang connections, and his plea deal.
On Monday (Jan. 22), LeBron James, Snoop Dogg, and other known figures were mentioned for their use of alleged gang signs. The defense raised a counter by saying that the insinuation that these figures are members of gangs or promoting gang culture can be proven.
The defense also played a clip of Snoop Dogg taking the stage at the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show where the Long Beach rapper wore a blue bandana, assumed to be a reference to the Crips gang, along with the rapper’s signature “crip walk” and their side says that does not prove true affiliation. The defense showed Serena Williams doing the same dance in an earlier portion of the trial.
Stephens also hammered home to the prosecution that the “Thug” in Young Thug’s stage name stands for “Truly Humble Under God,” a point raised earlier in the trial. The trial was to resume on Wednesday (Jan. 24) but as Fox 5 Atlanta reports, the trial was halted for reasons not known to the public.
A recording of the trial can be seen below, along with reactions from X, formerly Twitter.
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Photo: Liudmila Chernetska / Getty
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Shannon Stillwell, a defendant in the YSL RICO trial, was stabbed multiple times in Fulton County Jail with reports going wide that the trial would be delayed. The jury in the trial was dismissed early on Monday (December 10) in connection to the stabbing incident.
FOX 5 Atlanta reports that Shannon Stillwell, also known as Shannon Brown or “SB,” was stabbed by inmate Willie Brown several times after the pair got into a fight. Officials are unaware of what started the fight but what has come out is that Brown is in jail for several violent crimes, including murder, and is being held without bond.
Stillwell is one of five defendants connected to the murder of Donovan Thomas Jr., who was shot and killed in 2015. Thomas was believed to be part of a rival gang to YSL with prosecutors claiming Young Thug rented the vehicle used for the drive-by shooting that also left a teen boy harmed.
According to reports, Stillwell is said to be in stable condition and his attorney assured that their side will not look for a delay in the trial as his client recovers.
“Out of respect for Shannon’s privacy, I will not go into specifics about his health other than to say that I was happy to be able to see him and converse with him this afternoon,” the attorney said. “I encouraged him to rest, as he will need to be strong as we continue to fight the false allegations contained in the RICO indictment. We have never and will not be asking for a delay in this trial, but also recognize that the doctors will let us know what is best for Shannon in the immediate future. I hope to reunite Shannon with his family and loved ones in short order.”
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Young Thug and his legal team delivered opening statements on Tuesday (November 28), with an attorney telling the court that the rapper’s lyrics are not evidence of crimes. Instead, the lawyer argued that the music told stories about the rough upbringing Young Thug experienced in the streets of Atlanta and not that of an assumed crime lord.
The RICO trial brought by the state of Georgia against Young Thug and over two dozeon other defendants connected to the alleged street operation YSL opened on Monday (November 27) with prosecutors stating that the rapper, born Jeffrey Williams, was the mastermind of a criminal organization.
As seen in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, attorney Brian Steel pushed back at the assertion that Thug’s success was tied to street crimes instead of his successful music career. Framing Thug’s humble upbringing in an Atlanta housing project as one of 11 children, Steel says that the music the rapper would go on to make was nothing more than him unpacking the things he saw as a young person.
Steel’s statements contrasted with those made by Fulton County’s chief deputy district attorney, Adriane Love, who referred to Young Thug under another name: King Slime. Love stated that as King Slime, Thug directed the YSL gang that, quote, “moved like a pack” under his leadership.
Judge Ural Glanville granted prosecutors passage to use 17 sets of lyrics from Thug in the trial to prove their case. Steel argues that the use of the lyrics is nothing more than artistic expression and a violation of free speech.
On X, formerly Twitter, fans are reacting to Young Thug and his current ordeal. Check out those replies below.
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Young Thug and his associates will finally have their chance in court. The opening statements for the YSL RICO trial began today.
Raw Story is reporting that the much anticipated federal trial regarding Young Thug allegedly running an organized criminal empire commenced today. According to CNN the prosecutor immediately came out swinging and portrayed YSL as a miniature mafia. “YSL operated as a pact,” said Fulton County Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love, and claimed Young Thug was “King Slime.” She went on to further detail their supposed operation. “They created a crater in the middle of Fulton County’s Cleveland Avenue community that sucked in the youth, the innocence and even the lives of some of its youngest members,” she added. The prosecutor also says the “Ski” rapper made sure to not have direct dealings with his team when it came to executing his criminal requests saying Thug “knew that he needed to have distance between himself and the crimes members and associates of YSL were committing on behalf of the gang.”
The road to get this case in front of a judge has been a long one. The man born Jeffery Williams and several members of his team were booked by federal authorities on varying charges related to racketeering, theft, distribution of narcotics and criminal conspiracy to name a few. On May 9, 20222 Young Thug and Gunna were among the 28 members of Young Stoner Life who were in a 56-count Georgia RICO. Since then bringing it to trial has been marred by a host of problems including a jury selection that almost took 10 months and a co-defendant who allegedly tried to pass Young Thug a pill of Percocet.
If found guilty Young Thug could face five to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
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Source: Fulton County PD / Fulton County Sheriff’s Department
In a blow to Hip-Hop artists, an Atlanta judge has ruled that lyrics by Young Thug and other of his YSL associates can be used at his RICO trial.
“They’re not prosecuting your clients because of the songs they wrote,” Judge Ural Glanville said after a November 8 hearing, denying free-speech concerns raised by Brian Steel, an attorney representing Thug (born Jeffrey Williams).
According to Vulture, “These are party admissions,” said Michael Carson, a prosecutor, during the hearing. “They just happen to come in the form of lyrics.”
The issue of using rap lyrics in court is one that has been pressing to the hip-hop community. In November of 2022, more than 100 rap artists including Drake and Megan Thee Stallion signed a letter to protest the use of lyrics in court. As previously reported by HipHopWired, artists, industry leaders, and legal experts have joined together in a call to “Protect Black Art,” publishing an open letter in The New York Times and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution urging legislators across America to limit how creative expression can be used against defendants on trial. Specifically, it calls for an end to the racially discriminatory practice of treating rap lyrics as confessions.
The letter reads, in part, “Beyond the obvious disregard for free speech and creative expression protected by the First Amendment, this racially targeted practice punishes already marginalized communities and their stories of family, struggle, survival, and triumph.”
It was published by Warner Music Group.
The letter was released just months after one success when the state of California put forward a bill banning lyrics from being used in court–it passed both the State Senate and State Assembly. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill in October of last year.
Earlier last year, on Wednesday (July 27th), the RAP Act was introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives by Democratic Representatives Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Jamaal Bowman (NY-16). The Restoring Artistic Protection Act looks to protect artists from the wrongful usage of their lyrics against them in civil and criminal court cases.
“Rap, hip-hop, and every lyrical musical piece is a beautiful form of art and expression that must be protected,” Representative Bowman said in a statement.
Despite the blow, there is no doubt that the battle will continue. Because hip-hop doesn’t give up and we don’t back down.
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Source: Paras Griffin / Getty / Young Thug
While Gunna has shed all his pounds, his mentor, Young Thug, apparently has gained weight while in prison.
The jury has finally been chosen for Young Thug’s YSL RICO trial, but that’s not the only thing fans of the rapper are talking about.
A new photo of the rapper has hit timelines, showing a much heavier-looking Young Thug. The “Barter 6” rapper is well known for his slender build, but now he’s looking like he isn’t skipping any meals while being locked up as he awaits his trial to begin.
“Gunna came out like Thug, Thug came out looking like Gunna,” one person hilariously wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“WTH…How you gain so much weight in jail,” another X user wrote.
“He is big thug now,” another person jokingly said in an X post.
Other users attributed Thugger’s apparent weight game to him being drug-free while locked up.
“That drug free weight,” one person wrote in the comment section of a post of the photo on The Neighborhood Talk’s Instagram account.
“That’s Sober Weight 😂 no more drugs and liq will do that,” another commenter wrote.
Another comment read, “that’s what happens when you no longer on drugs and lean and all the bad shit!”
Young Thug Has Bigger Things To Worry About
Well, Thugger’s weight is the least of his current worries. The Hip-Hop star is looking at life in prison if he is found guilty on all of the charges in his RICO indictment.
Per Fox 5 Atlanta:
The RICO indictment was filed on May 9, 2022. Initially, Williams was only named in counts one (conspiracy to violate RICO) and 56 (participation in criminal street gang activity). Count 56 alleges that he was in a position of leadership within YSL and was either directly or indirectly involved in acts of murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, theft, sale of drugs, and other criminal acts.
He was later indicted on six additional counts after searches of his home. If Williams is found guilty on all counts, he could face life in prison.
Yikes.
You can see more reactions to Young Thug putting on some pounds in the gallery below.
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Photo: Paras Griffin / Getty