Young Thug is soon to be a free man after more than two years in jail. The Atlanta trap mainstay has accepted a plea deal that will ensure his release, pleading no contest to charges of racketeering and other crimes. He has been sentenced to 15 years of probation.
R&B singer Mariah The Scientist, Thug’s girlfriend, reacted to the news in a text to WSBTV’s Michael Seiden, who contacted her for comment. She replied:
“Thank you God, thank you God. This is more than what we prayed for. We are so grateful, this is the greatest opportunity we’ve ever been presented with and we are so grateful. Thank you Judge Paige Whitaker for giving us the opportunity to move forward with our life! Thank you God. Thank you Brian Steel and Keith Adams and every attorney working on this case, tireless. THANK YOU! I cannot say it enough, I cannot repay you for this. You have changed our lives, Jeffery’s life and mine. Thank you to everyone who has been there for us, every fan, who believed in us and prayed for us.”
I just reached out to Young Thug’s girlfriend, Mariah the Scientist, and she texted me the following statement regarding what happened today in court:⬇️ pic.twitter.com/zGIrD2LRNn
Thug’s trial was the longest in Georgia history — and possibly, its most dramatic. Over the course of the past year, the case went through three judges, a criminal contempt charge for Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel, and a slew of delays. It also met enormous backlash for using lyrics as evidence in what some observers called a racist application of Georgia’s racketeering law.
Young Thug will at last be released from custody after accepting a plea deal in his racketeering case. According to Billboard, Thug agreed to plead “no contest” to racketeering and pled guilty to possession of drugs and firearms, and was sentenced to 15 years probation. He will serve no prison time; he was jailed for over two years as his trial dragged on, becoming the longest in Georgia state history.
Thug opted for a non-negotiated guilty plea after several days of closed-door negotiations with prosecutors. This allowed Judge Paige Reese Whitaker to determine the sentence herself after she found herself losing patience with the prosecutions’ antics. The trial, which didn’t even start in earnest until earlier this year, would have called nearly a hundred witnesses, and with just the first handful necessitating days of delays, stalled testimonies, secret ex parte meetings, a criminal contempt charge against the defense (since rescinded), and not just one, but two judges’ recusals, it’s probably fair to say that all parties involved were ready to get this thing over with.
The trial had already drawn heavy backlash for its application of Georgia’s state Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and use of lyrics as evidence, which some observers criticized for racist motivations. Meanwhile, prosecutors wanted Thug sentenced to 25 years in prison, with another 20 on probation, accusing him of leading a criminal organization responsible for a wave of violent crime in the Atlanta area. The District Attorney’s office alleged that Thug’s record label, Young Stoner Life (YSL), was secretly a front for a street gang, Young Slime Life, with a list of violations including murder, attempted murder, robbery, assault, and distribution of drugs.
Several other co-defendants, including YSL rapper Yak Gotti, declined the plea deal, however; they will continue to stand trial for crimes including the alleged 2015 murder of a supposed rival gang leader, Donovan Thomas.
Young Thug is a free man. The rapper accepted a plea deal was sent home on Halloween with 15 years probation. It’s a storybook ending to a trial that was defined by its length and its seemingly endless array of drama. Young Thug made a statement following his release in which he vowed to turn over a new leaf. “I’m older, I’m grown now. I’m smarter,” the rapper told Judge Paige Reese Whitaker. “It’s more things to rap about.” To help keep Thugger on the straight and narrow, however, he has been given a detailed list of conditions for release.
Young Thug is banned from the Metro Atlanta for 10 years. There will be exceptions, however, for events like family weddings, funerals, and graduations. He’s also banned from promoting gangs or gang culture in any way, shape or form. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker decreed that Young Thug will use his high profile to campaign against gangs, in fact. The rapper has been ordered to do four presentations or concerts a year that are explicitly against gang violence. The most notable condition that was put forth with regards to Thug’s release, however, was that he not have any contact with gang members or YSL affiliates.
The rapper’s affiliation with YSL is what led to his criminal charges in the first place, and the law wants to ensure he doesn’t fall back into his old ways. There are two exceptions to the “no contact with gang members” rule. Young Thug will be allowed to speak with his brother, Quantavious Grier, and fellow YSL rapper Gunna. Grier is currently serving a nine year prison sentence after violating his probation in 2023. Which brings us to the consequences. If Thug does not adhere to these conditions of release, than the rapper will be sentenced to prison for at least two decades.
Judge Whitaker noted that she is hopeful Thugger will turn over a new leaf, but if he does not, then he will severely punished. The good news is that Young Thug will be able to resume his rap career without any major complications. He may not be able to rhyme about gangs anymore, but he will be allowed to travel for work and to make music with other artists.
Young Thug is going home. Thugger just reached a huge plea agreement in his YSL RICO case, bringing his lengthy criminal trial to a dramatic end. Whew … It’s over!
Under the deal, the rapper, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, received a 40-year sentence structured as follows:
He will serve five years in prison, which has been commuted to time already served, followed by 15 years of probation.
An additional 20 years are backloaded, meaning he could serve this time in custody if he violates probation.
Further, Young Thug is prohibited from contacting any other co-defendants in the RICO case, with two exceptions he specifically requested: his biological brother and fellow rapper Gunna.
Look this has been a mission in the criminal prosecution of Young Thug. He had been held in custody since 2022, facing charges that included conspiracy to violate RICO, two counts of participating in criminal street gang activity, three counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a machine gun. His trial, part of Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial, has seen several co-defendants take different paths in court.
But get this, Douglas Weinstein, representing co-defendant Deamonte Kendrick, also known as Yak Gotti, stated that Kendrick declined the state’s plea offer and plans to fight the charges at trial. “Yak Gotti has rejected the State’s latest plea offer and fully intends to take this to the jury and get our not guilty verdicts and go home,” Weinstein shared.
What’s more, two other defendants, however, accepted plea deals this week. On Tuesday, Quamarvious Nichols pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and was sentenced to 20 years, with seven to be served in custody. On Wednesday, Rodalius Ryan also accepted a plea deal on RICO charges.
No matter how you feel about his prosecution, his ordeal and subsequent guilty plea agreement, Thugger is done with this case. It’s a wrap and for Young Thug, life goes on – out of jail.
Spooky season is winding down and before it’s all said and done we put together our list of the top 10 horror genre films for Halloween, we think you should binge watch this weekend. We highly recommend you put down your phones, dim the lights, get cozy and let yourself get scurrred a little. It’s good for the soul or heart rate, depending how you look at that kind of thing. But seriously put the phones down and enjoy our Horror movie suggestions. Okay, let’s get right to it.
#10. Candyman (1992) – Director, Bernard Rose
Skeptical graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) befriends Anne-Marie McCoy (Vanessa Williams) while researching superstitions in a housing project on Chicago’s Near North Side. From Anne-Marie, Helen learns about the Candyman (Tony Todd), a knife-wielding figure of urban legend that some of her neighbors believe to be responsible for a recent murder. After a mysterious man matching the Candyman’s description begins stalking her, Helen comes to fear that the legend may be all too real.
#9. Us – Director, Jordan Peele
Accompanied by her husband, son and daughter, Adelaide Wilson returns to the beachfront home where she grew up as a child. Haunted by a traumatic experience from the past, Adelaide grows increasingly concerned that something bad is going to happen. Her worst fears soon become a reality when four masked strangers descend upon the house, forcing the Wilsons into a fight for survival. When the masks come off, the family is horrified to learn that each attacker takes the appearance of one of them.
#8. The Blackening – Director, Tim Story
Seven friends go away for the weekend, only to find themselves trapped in a cabin with a killer who has a vendetta. They must pit their street smarts and knowledge of horror movies against the murderer to stay alive.
#7. Halloween (1978) – Director, John Carpenter
On a cold Halloween night in 1963, six year old Michael Myers brutally murdered his 17-year-old sister, Judith. He was sentenced and locked away for 15 years. But on October 30, 1978, while being transferred for a court date, a 21-year-old Michael Myers steals a car and escapes Smith’s Grove. He returns to his quiet hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he looks for his next victims.
#6. The Purge(2013) – Director, James DeMonaco
In an America ravaged by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government sanctions an annual 12-hour period during which all criminal activity — including murder — is legal. James Sandin (Ethan Hawke) and his family face the ultimate test when an intruder drags the vicious outside world into their home. James, Mary (Lena Headey) and their two children struggle to survive the night while trying not to turn into monsters like the ones they are striving to avoid.
#5. Scary Movie (2000) – Director, Keenen Ivory Wayans
Defying the very notion of good taste, Scary Movie out-parodies the pop culture parodies with a no-holds barred assault on the most popular images and talked-about moments from recent films, television and commercials. The film boldly fires barbs at the classic scenes from Scream, The Sixth Sense, The Matrix, I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Blair Witch Project, then goes on to mock a whole myriad of teen movie clichés, no matter the genre.
#4. Blade (1998) – Director, Stephen Norrington
A half-mortal, half-immortal is out to avenge his mother’s death and rid the world of vampires. The modern-day technologically advanced vampires he is going after are in search of his special blood type needed to summon an evil god who plays a key role in their plan to execute the human race.
#3. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) – Director, Wes Craven
In Wes Craven’s classic slasher film, several Midwestern teenagers fall prey to Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), a disfigured midnight mangler who preys on the teenagers in their dreams — which, in turn, kills them in reality. After investigating the phenomenon, Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) begins to suspect that a dark secret kept by her and her friends’ parents may be the key to unraveling the mystery, but can Nancy and her boyfriend Glen (Johnny Depp) solve the puzzle before it’s too late?
#2. Scream (1996) – Director, Wes Craven
Wes Craven re-invented and revitalised the slasher-horror genre with this modern horror classic, which manages to be funny, clever and scary, as a fright-masked knife maniac stalks high-school students in middle-class suburbia. Craven is happy to provide both tension and self-parody as the body count mounts – but the victims aren’t always the ones you’d expect.
#1. Get Out – Director, Jordan Peele
Now that Chris and his girlfriend, Rose, have reached the meet-the-parents milestone of dating, she invites him for a weekend getaway upstate with her parents, Missy and Dean. At first, Chris reads the family’s overly accommodating behaviour as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter’s interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries leads him to a truth that he never could have imagined.
What ya’ll think about our list? Tell the truth, classics or nah?
Young Thug’s legal struggle has come to an end. The rapper concluded the longest trial in Georgia history on October 31. He accepted a plea deal and was promptly allowed to go home on the grounds that he serve 15 years probation. The judge did stipulate, however, that if Young Thug violates his probation in the future, then he could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Prosecutors have denied allegations by Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense team that they leaked surveillance footage showing Diddy allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassie, in 2016. In what will be a slew of arguments on behalf of their embattled client, Diddy’s attorneys argued earlier this month that the government’s supposed leak of this hotel video to CNN compromised his right to a fair trial.
On Wednesday, October 30, prosecutors responded in a newly filed motion, refuting the claim and accusing Diddy’s team of trying to “suppress a damning piece of evidence,” according to Billboard.
When it comes to the prosecution, they contend that the video was never in their possession at the time of CNN’s May release, which revealed “shocking” footage of the incident. “Without any factual basis, the leak motion seeks to suppress highly probative evidence,” the prosecutors’ statement read, noting, “the video was not in the Government’s possession at the time of CNN’s publication and the Government has never, at any point, obtained the video through grand jury process.”
Get this, Diddy’s attorneys previously argued that the leaked video “led to damaging, highly prejudicial pre-trial publicity” that could potentially bias jurors, claiming it threatened to undermine Diddy’s right to a fair trial. They also called for an investigation into the alleged leak.
The stars are pulling up for Vice President Kamala Harris “When We Vote We Win” rally in Milwaukee, WI, on Friday, November 1. Get this lineup. Set to appear are performers GloRilla, Flo Milli, MC Lyte, The Isley Brothers, and DJ Gemini Gilly, with oh snap, Cardi B scheduled to deliver remarks in support of Harris.
What’s more is a press release from Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s team highlighted the influence of these artists: “These artists and public figures are trusted voices for millions of Americans, who listen to their music, follow them on social media, or otherwise are inspired by them. The Harris-Walz campaign believes that by using their voices to lay out the stakes of this election, it will further encourage and mobilize people to go vote.”
When it comes to more battleground appearances, Harris is also scheduled to visit Charlotte, NC, on Saturday, November 2, where she’ll host a similar event featuring Khalid and Jon Bon Jovi. In related news, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a longtime Republican, endorsed Harris and Walz. Sharing his decision on Twitter, he said, “I will always be an American before I am a Republican… this week, I am voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.”
The Indiana Pacers got off to a bit of a bumpy start to the 2024-25 NBA season, as the team found itself on a 3-game losing streak before knocking off the Boston Celtics in overtime on Wednesday night. It’s not ideal for a team that has aspirations of making it back to the Eastern Conference Finals, but it’s still very early in the season, and as we saw last year, when this team gets hot, they can take it to anyone.
Their best player to this point has been Pascal Siakam, who has looked like the exact sort of star forward the team envisioned when they acquired him midway through last season and especially after they handed him a lucrative contract extension this summer. And with the Pacers having an off night on Thursday before a matchup with the Pelicans in New Orleans on Friday, Siakam decided to have a little fun away from the court by dressing up for Halloween as Andre 3000 in the video for “Hey Ya!”
It is an absolutely fantastic costume, but Siakam wanted to take things a step farther. Not only did he dress up like 3 Stacks, he actually recreated a portion of the iconic music video.
Halloween isn’t necessarily a competition among NBA players or anything like that, but it is always fun to see the lengths guys will go to in order to have the most elaborate costume. I think we can safely say that, as of this point, Siakam has set the bar pretty high for the best costume in the league this year.
Today, Megan Thee Stallion finally unveiled her new Prime Video documentary, In Her Words. The doc arrived along with some unexpected revelations, including that she once lied to Gayle King. According to the femcee, she wasn’t totally truthful when asked about the extent of her relationship with Tory Lanez during their 2022 interview.
“Yes, b***h, I lied to Gayle King, b***h,” Meg stated. “First of all, I ain’t know that b***h was even going to ask me about that s**t, b***h. I thought we was going to talk about the shooting. Why is you asking me about f***ing Tory? That’s not what this is about. Even if I was, I f***ed the n***a, like, once. Maybe twice, on a drunk night. But she kept catching me out of my f***ing mind.”
Meg’s admission has unsurprisingly earned big reactions on social media, and even from Lanez’s lawyer, Ceasar McDowell. During a recent chat with TMZ, he shared his take on the debacle, suggesting that it could allegedly say something about Meg’s overall honesty. “The fact that Megan lied about her sexual relationship with Tory obviously makes her an unreliable witness,” he alleged in his statement. “If someone lies in front of millions of people, how can you trust what they say any other time?”
While some social media users feel the same way, many are coming to her defense, and noting how she admitted to sleeping with Lanez during her testimony at his trial. What do you think of Megan Thee Stallion admitting that she lied to Gayle King about her sexual relationship with Tory Lanez? What about Lanez’s lawyer’s response to the revelation? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Banned from Metro Atlanta for 10 years, except for family weddings, funerals, graduations, or serious illnesses
