Young Stoner Life artist Strick has silently carved his niche in the music industry. He has boasted credits on hit songs with the likes of Travis Scott, Wiz Khalifa, and Juicy J. His collaborative efforts have extended to working with artists such as Swae Lee and A$AP Rocky, solidifying his presence as a behind-the-scenes force. Now, Strick steps into the spotlight with his new single, “KISSES MAKE SURE” featuring none other than label head Young Thug and the acclaimed James Blake. This mellow and entrancing cut is a testament to Strick’s artistry and is poised to captivate audiences with its unique blend of talent.
However, the collaboration with Young Thug and James Blake elevates “KISSES MAKE SURE” to a whole new level. Combining Strick’s behind-the-scenes expertise with the star power of his featured guests. The track unfolds as a mesmerizing composition, offering a dreamy and immersive sonic experience that deserves attention. Moreover, Strick’s ability to seamlessly collaborate with heavyweights in the industry speaks to his versatility and skill as an artist. “KISSES MAKE SURE” is not just a song; it’s a showcase of his from the shadows into the limelight.
Furthermore, the mellow vibes, coupled with the distinct styles of Young Thug and James Blake, create a musical synergy that is bound to resonate with fans across genres. The track’s title, “KISSES MAKE SURE,” suggests a certain assurance and intentionality, and indeed, the song delivers on those promises. From the production to the vocals, every element of the single is carefully crafted, resulting in a piece of music that stands out in its own right.
Moreover, as Strick takes center stage with this release, it’s evident that his artistry is not confined to the background. “KISSES MAKE SURE” marks a defining moment for Strick, introducing him as an artist to be watched closely. The collaboration with Young Thug and James Blake further underscores the respect and recognition he has gained within the industry. For fans of Strick, “KISSES MAKE SURE” is a treat that showcases his evolution as an artist and his ability to curate a sound that is both captivating and soulful. What do you think of the new single?
Quoteable Lyrics:
[Chorus: Strick & Young Thug] This mornin’ I woke up, didn’t smell no coffee You wasn’t makin’ breakfast downstairs (No) Fell asleep, I had a nightmare I was lonely (Oh) I think losing your love got me scared (Yeah)
Folks all over rap Twitter are talking about the shocking arrest of YSL’s defense lawyer in their RICO case, who reportedly got out on a $40K bond according to WSB-TV. Moreover, the court charged Nicole Fegan with participation in criminal street gang activity and criminal solicitation to commit the offense of evidence tampering. Of course, this is still under scrutiny at press time, and little is known about how this could potentially affect the current trial of Young Thug and others. It certainly doesn’t paint well in terms of the optics, though, as prosecutors will most likely try to turn this in their favor. But we’ve still yet to see whether there’s any truth behind these accusations in court.
To be clear, Fegan is not on Young Thug’s individual team, specifically, but she represented other YSL members as part of the collective’s full defense team. However, this is far from the only scandalous story of note when it comes to this case’s main players. This time around, it’s on the defensive end, but those pushing the case towards conviction also became embroiled in other accusations of wrongdoing. Fulton County, Georgia’s District Attorney Fani Willis, who is also prosecuting a case against Donald Trump, faces allegations of having an inappropriate affair with another prosecutor.
Nevertheless, Young Thug and YSL’s legal battle continues, and likely will not slow down due to these situations. It’s possible that this will throw a wrench into court proceedings, which are moving steadily these days, but it’s a tight race to call. After all, maybe this will simply exempt Fegan from this courtroom, or her case might come separately. Either way, fans had a lot to say about this, whether it’s memes about her supposed posts on Instagram or genuine discussion around it. You can check out some of these takes down below.
Meanwhile, what do you think about this whole situation? What about Thugger’s various instances of relationship drama that were the center of case coverage earlier in the year? However you may feel, drop your thoughts in the comments section down below. Also, stick around on HNHH for more news and the latest updates on Young Thug and YSL.
The RICO case against YSL, and Young Thug in particular, has referenced their musical output as a collective a lot over the past year and a half or so. Moreover, one of their co-founders recently tried to provide evidence of its leader’s “Truly Humble Under God” moniker during a testimony. On Thursday (February 8), it was defense attorney Brian Steel’s turn to defend Thugger’s music and highlight how the prosecution is wrong for using it as a basis for their arguments. While questioning a witness during a court hearing, he specifically brought up rappers and artists who use Cs instead of Bs, mentioning Meek Mill, Post Malone, and more.
If that sounds odd to you, here’s the breakdown: the prosecution had suggested that Young Thug is a member of the Bloods gang, who say Bs instead of Cs so they don’t reference their rival gang, the Crips. As such, Brian Steel wanted to not only call out a double standard here, but also prove that the Atlanta rapper is not the only artist who uses language in this manner. It’s part of a larger defense that aims to separate his art -– and that of the rest of YSL -– from the actual crimes that they are accused of. It’s been a tough battle so far, yet one with no end in sight with plenty of room to turn hopeful or despondent in a matter of seconds.
Meanwhile, old footage concerning this case also surfaced recently, which caught fans’ interest. This is of a police search authorities conducted in Young Thug’s jail cell back in June of 2022, and it’s hard to believe it’s been this long with no result or verdict. Nevertheless, many fans pointed out how he seemed to have a lot of books and magazines in his cell, which was a heartening sign for some that he was staying entertained and stimulated while behind bars. The “Metro Spider” lyricist surely had to make some staggering day-to-day life adjustments to cope with prison time.
However, not everything surrounding him in the headlines these days relates strictly to his court case. For example, the 32-year-old’s romantic history recently came up again in the news thanks to multiple interactions and gossip about current and past flames. Hopefully the RICO trial itself keeps moving forward, regardless of what people are talking about. With that in mind, log back into HNHH for the latest news and updates on Young Thug and the YSL case.
The romantic saga between Young Thug and Jerrika Karlae has intrigued onlookers for years now. From the start of their relationship in the early 2010s, till their eventual split, they had the attention of the public. Now, a while after they parted ways, their post-breakup relationship continues to make waves. Things are also particularly interesting because Young Thug has been dating R&B singer Mariah The Scientist since 2021. Nonetheless, fans are now speculating that the rapper is still holding on to pieces of his time with Karlae.
A recent leak of his jail call footage revealed an old loved up photo of Young Thug and Karlae on the rapper’s wall. Following this discovery, fans have been in a frenzy over the photo, and coming up with several theories. While we can neither confirm nor deny any of those speculations, we can fill you in on the shared history between Young Thug and Jerrika Karlae. Here’s a timeline of their relationship.
2013: Young Thug And Jerrika Karlae Meet And Start Dating
It was sometime in 2013 that the two first crossed paths. Being that they were both already in the entertainment industry, it’s no surprise that they met in a studio. During a session at Gucci Mane’s studio, Karlae, accompanied by her mother, met Young Thug for the first time. Speaking to FADER in 2016, Karlae shared that she shrugged off Young Thug’s initial advances. “I was like, ‘you’re a rapper and I already know what that’s about,’” she said.
While they didn’t hit things off on that first meeting, they soon became friends. Subsequently, as Young Thug began showing interest in Karlae and her businesses, she began to soften up toward him. Soon after, they officially started dating. “He’s not only so into himself, he’s so into me and he’s really seeing potential in me,” she told FADER.
2015: The Couple Gets Engaged
Following almost two years of a blissful relationship, Young Thug asked Karlae to marry him. Up until then, their relationship had been drama-free, at least from the perspective of the public. The two seemed to be locked in and deeply in love, so when rumors of an engagement first surfaced, it didn’t surprise anyone. While the exact date of their engagement is unknown, reports claim it happened sometime in April 2015. On April 22, 2015, in an interview with AllHipHop, Young Thug confirmed that he was indeed engaged.
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 16: Jerrika Karlae and Young Thug attend “No Cap” Tuesday The Biggest Party Of The Year at Gold Room on January 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
The pair did not immediately tie the knot after their engagement. However, in the months that followed, they seemed to be more in love than ever before. For example, in multiple now-deleted Instagram posts, they shared several PDA-filled photos. While there were likely some low points in their relationship over time, their dirty laundry never made it to the public.
2017: Young Thug And Jerrika Karlae Break Up
In late 2017, to the surprise of fans, Jerrika Karlae broke up with Young Thug. Up until then, their relationship had seemed to be almost perfect, so nobody saw a breakup coming. However, Karlae’s decision to end things was a result of Young Thug’s infidelity. On October 4, 2017, the YSL rapper shared on her X account, “I’m definitely back on the market tho.”
Afterward, some drama ensued, with Thug quoting her in a now-deleted tweet of his own, writing, “What market? B*tch u goin d*e OnGod.” Subsequently, in November, the two had another bout of interactions on the platform. It seemed like Young Thug was remorseful, and wanted another chance with Karlae. However, soon after, the “Worth It” rapper claimed that his account was hacked, and deleted the pleading tweets.
2018 – 2020: Reunion And Final Breakup
ATLANTA, GA -JANUARY 29: Young Thug and Jerrika Karlae attend Migos “Culture” Album Release Party at Compound on January 29, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Following a messy breakup in 2017, the pair seemingly began mending their relationship in 2018. While there was no official statement from either rapper, they shared pictures featuring each other on Instagram. Many months later, in December 2020, Jerrika Karlae went on a rant on X that many connected to Young Thug. On December 27, 2021, she posted, “single 2021,” a cryptic message that fans speculated was about her relationship with Thugger. Among other tweets, she also wrote, “Why misuse and abuse something or someone, why not leave them be! That’s some narcissistic sh*t. You behind the scenes painting pictures of me, like ima f**ked up individual…when you the devil”
2021 – Present: Moving On And Maintaining A Platonic Relationship
Subsequently, Young Thug denied the allegations, claiming that he had been single for two years at the time. His claim made fans reassess, and conclude that maybe Karlae was, in fact, not speaking about Young Thug. Therefore, it remains unclear when exactly they ended things, or if they ever even officially got back together after the breakup in 2017. However, it’s clear that they have not been romantically involved since 2021 because Thugger began dating Mariah The Scientist that year.
Since Young Thug was incarcerated, Karlae seems to have communicated with him a few times. During an interview on The Progress Report in June 2022, she revealed that she had spoken to Thugger. In addition, she shared, “He’s doing good. He’s in great spirits. I feel like this is just a moment for him to learn a lot of lessons.” While they are no longer a couple, the two seem to be in a good place platonically. However, the photo in Thugger’s leaked video has certainly raised some eyebrows.
It has been a little over two months since our last Everything To Know post about the ongoing Young Thug racketeering trial, and a lot has happened since then. We’ll cover the basics, but also everything that we weren’t able to update as the trial continued.
What Is Young Thug Charged With In The YSL RICO Trial?
Young Thug was accused of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The RICO law was intended to curtail organized crime — think the “leave the gun, take the cannoli” guys — but a broad application of the law is being used to prosecute this case. The state argues that Young Stoner Life, Thug’s label, is actually a cover for Young Slime Life, a violent street gang responsible for assault, dealing drugs, and murder in the Atlanta area.
28 members of YSL including Gunna, Yak Gotti, and Unfook, Young Thug’s brother, were indicted, with Thug being accused of being the leader of this gang. Although he was only accused of violating the RICO Act at first, a raid of his home added charges of possession of illegal firearms and possession of drugs with intent to distribute.
Young Thug is facing additional felony charges after investigators discover drugs and guns while raiding his Buckhead home. @wsbtvpic.twitter.com/gWDtmYVGza
Veteran Georgia defense attorney Brian Steel is working with Young Thug. Steel claims the use of Young Thug’s lyrics as evidence is racist.
Why Are Young Thug’s Lyrics Being Used As Evidence?
The state’s case against Young Thug hinges on proving his membership and leadership of YSL as a gang. Young Thug’s lyrics made frequent mention of YSL, so they would like to use his own words to prove that he is the YSL shot caller — but they also have to prove that YSL is a gang in the sense of committing organized criminal activity.
Which Young Thug Lyrics Are Being Used As Evidence In The Case?
The lyrics in question come from a variety of songs, including “Just How It Is”:
“I just beat a murder rap, paid my lawyer 30 for that”
2014’s “Eww”:
“Honestly truth be told YSL won’t fold / Pick his ass off from the balcony/ YSL wipe a n**** nose”
“Bad Boy” with Juice WRLD:
“I shot at his mommy, now he no longer mention me”
“Take It To Trial” with Gunna:
“I rep my life for real/For slimes you know I kill”
What Are The Updates In Young Thug’s YSL RICO Trial?
Since the start of the trial, it’s been delayed a number of times. In December, the trial was paused after a co-defendant, Shannon Stilwell, was stabbed in jail.
Meanwhile, video from a jail call between Thug and his girlfriend Mariah The Scientist was leaked online, prompting Drake to call out the authorities for failing to take the case seriously.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
YFN Lucci is the Atlanta artist behind such hits as 2016’s “Key To The Streets” with Migos and Trouble, as well as the 2017 single “Everyday We Lit” featuring PnB Rock. Unfortunately, the rapper’s current notoriety stems more from legal controversies than his prolific music career. Since authorities indicted him in 2021, he has been contending with a series of RICO charges, adding complexity to his legal predicament. The rapper, whose real name is Rayshawn Bennett, recently pleaded guilty to racketeering charges, incurring a 20-year prison sentence. Here’s all we know about the situation thus far.
Rapper YFN Lucci pleaded guilty Tuesday to a gang-related charge after reaching a deal with prosecutors nearly three years after he was indicted on murder, gang and racketeering charges in Atlanta. https://t.co/kZBpDfP9YQ
YFN Lucci initially surrendered himself after authorities issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with a shooting murder in Atlanta. A key detail in the case places Lucci in a vehicle associated with the murder. Since then, he has remained in jail awaiting trial, as the District Attorney continued to cement a racketeering case against him. Prosecutors have since alleged that Lucci’s music outfit YFN is closely associated with a faction of the Bloods gang, and have been involved in numerous crimes.
As the trial continued into 2024, Lucci was facing 13 felony charges, each carrying with them heavy minimum sentences. The rapper was among many suspects indicted by Fulton County officers on a RICO case which spawned over 88 pages of legalese and a 56-count grand jury.
The YFN Case: Sweeping Indictments In Fulton County
YFN Lucci’s attorney, Drew Findling, is adamant that Lucci will not testify in Young Thug’s YSL RICO case. pic.twitter.com/aQkNfPCzNP
YFN Lucci was first arrested on the RICO indictment in May 2021. Since then, the Fulton County district attorney worked diligently to build a case against Lucci and his associates with interconnected charges including aggravated assault, murder, and a host of other gang-related activities.
The District Attorney’s office, presently prosecuting a trial against Young Thug and his YSL associates, alleges the music outfit’s involvement in real-life gang activity. In both the YSL and YFN Lucci cases, prosecutors have entered song lyrics as evidence, aiming to use the rhetoric about crime within the tracks as confessions to the charges. These cases are on track to set an incredibly dangerous precedent in the United States court system, as the use of song lyrics, which are often fictional or metaphorical, is arguably a violation of freedom of speech and artistic expression.
The two alleged gang outfits have made no secret of their beef with one another, which includes alleged incidents of violence on both the streets and prisons of Atlanta. Many fans assumed during the YFN trial that the District Attorney would press Lucci to take the stand against Young Thug and company, citing a popular theory that suggests Thug may have arranged a jail stabbing on the rapper. Despite this, Lucci refused to participate in the YSL trial in any capacity, cementing the rappers’ down-to-earth legacy in the eyes of many fans.
YFN Lucci Has Plead Guilty To The Charges
Footage of YFN Lucci apologizing to his friend, family and the court before receiving his sentence today pic.twitter.com/rOZI3cR4Uo
Unlike Young Thug, who is voraciously fighting against the court system, YFN Lucci has taken a guilty plea for a sentence of 20 years. Apparently the YFN artist reached the plea deal during the jury selection last week. The court has accepted time served as credit toward the sentence, which includes 10 years in federal custody and 10 more on probation. Per parole eligibility rules in the county, the rapper could theoretically be considered for release in under four months. Two unnamed YFN associates also took similar plea deals alongside the YFN Lucci trial.
The plea deal allowed Lucci to have 12 of the 13 charges brought against him dismissed entirely, including all counts of racketeering. According to his lawyers, the rapper has pleaded guilty to a single charge, specifically in violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, enacted in 1998. Lucci managed to escape one of the counts linked to a 2020 shooting death. If found guilty, Lucci could have faced a life sentence for the charge in question.
Earlier this week the audio and video of a jail phone conversation between Young Thug and Mariah The Scientist leaked online. Fans and artists from all over the rap world reacted to the video online. Many were blown away by the invasion of privacy and felt uncomfortable about peeking into such a private conversation. Some of Thug’s collaborators like Drake and Meek Mill also came to his defense claiming that he has every right to sue.
But the video has also sparked somewhat of a viral trend for what actually happens in the clip. Mariah’s discussions with Thug have been mimicked by some online, including former Bad Girl Club star Winter. She shared a clip online of her take on the couple’s conversation. While some fans thought she was making fun of Mariah and the situation as a whole, Winter clarified. In a comment underneath a repost of the video she assured fans there’s no hard feelings. “o be clear I’m not making fun of @mariahthescientist since yall like to drag everything. I’m the EXACT same way which is why I think it’s funny,” her comment reads. Check out the full video below.
The leaked phone call has taken over much of the discussion surrounding Young Thug’s ongoing YSL RICO case. The trial has been surrounding one of the label’s co-founders for weeks now. He’s given testimony that the prosecution are trying to use to point toward the label’s gang ambitions and affiliations.
In response, Thug’s defense team has tried to poke holes in the evidence used to connect YSL to actual gangs. They’ve introduced clips of celebrities like LeBron James and Snoop Dogg displaying gang symbols. Consequently, they’re using it as evidence to claim that gang signs and iconography don’t necessarily imply direct gang affiliation. What do you think of Winter’s video parodying Mariah The Scientist’s jail call? Do you think she’s being mean or it’s all in good taste? Let us know in the comment section below.
Young Thug is currently behind bars for the YSL RICO case, a circumstance that’s shrouded the phrase “cuffing season” in a dark cloud for him. But his flame Mariah The Scientist is dedicated and loving, even if their physical distance leaves a void impossible to fill. Still, many folks online have a lot of questions about their relationship. How and when did they get together, what’s their current status, and who on Earth decided to leak a video of their prison phone call?! As it turns out, this couple endured rough patches of past, long-lasting romances, a massive wrench into their time together, but currently stand with heads held high -– and holding on tight to each other’s hands.
Mariah The Scientist and Young Thug presumably began dating sometime around November 2021, when Young Stoner Life posted pictures on Instagram of them cozying up. Moreover, this came after December 2020 developments concerning Thugger’s ex-fiancée Jerrika Karlae, on and off since 2015, who then accused him of abuse. However, in an HNHH interview in August 2021, she stated that they were in a great place, so either Mariah popped up very soon after this or she spoke from more of a friendship standpoint. Regardless, Karlae seemed to respond indifferently to this new romance rumor with the R&B singer, indicating that it didn’t really bother her. Then, in late 2021 and early 2022 respectively, Thugger and The Scientist went on a date at an Atlanta Falcons game and appeared as a bride and groom in her music video for “Walked In,” further fueling the fire.
August 2022: Young Thug’s Arrest, Mariah The Scientist Makes It Official
Furthermore, things became more official in August 2022 after Young Thug’s arrest in May, and after he set up a loving balloon and gift set-up for Mariah The Scientist from behind bars, which she shared on social media. Again, Karlae didn’t bat an eye, and her comments on his prison stint indicate that she’s as supportive and caring as ever. Mariah popped out for Thugger’s birthday to return the favor, clapped back at people trying to cause beef between the three, and she and Thug thirsted for each other via some social media comments.
Aug.-Nov. 2023: “Baby Daddy” Rumors & New Releases
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 01: Young Thug performs at Bumbershoot at Seattle Center on September 1, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Suzi Pratt/WireImage/Getty Images)
Things got even more set in stone when Mariah The Scientist declared the Atlanta trap sensation her “baby daddy” during a festival set in August of last year. We now know that “daddy” might just be a nickname, and not a pregnancy confirmation or anything like that. That aside, she continued to advocate for his freedom and double down on her support and their relationship, shedding light on what he’s going through while locked up. Young Thug appeared in the 26-year-old’s music video for “From A Woman,” and he released the companion single “From A Man.” The former appeared on her album To Be Eaten Alive in October 2023.
Meanwhile, coinciding with this release, Mariah The Scientist opened up more about their relationship and his incarceration. “It’s almost like jail solidified our relationship,” she expressed on Way Up With Angela Yee. “I’m willing to wait it out because I feel like he’s the one. If I didn’t really see that in him, I probably wouldn’t.” Apparently, they see themselves as a married couple soon after he is free, which is a wholesome goal to maintain amid strife.
In addition, Mariah also attended Young Thug’s trial on various days, and the two reportedly talk every day plus a weekly visit. One of these visits is the conversation that someone leaked online, which prompted a lot of backlash from regular social media users and superstars like Drake.
Folks also thought that Pooh Shiesty shaded them with a recent Instagram development in 2024, although he dismissed this interpretation. With all this in mind, all we can hope for is that they continue to support each other through this, whether it’s their careers, their personal lives, or their relationship. But what do you think about Young Thug and Mariah The Scientist’s connection now that you know the full story so far? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and stay posted on HNHH for more timeline breakdowns and to stay up to date on all things hip-hop.
Earlier this week a surprising new story hit the internet. Young Thug’s trial has unfolded largely in the public eye but the access reached an even more surprising level. Thug’s girlfriend Mariah The Scientist has been right behind him for his entire trial ordeal. She’s repeatedly appeared in court alongside the rapper during throughout the trial. She’s also clearly been there for Thug behind the scenes which was revealed to the public recently.
Both audio and video from a jail phone call between Thug and Mariah leaked online. The clips weren’t particularly dramatic and didn’t exactly make waves online. Most of the attention directed towards the video came from fans explaining how uncomfortable it made them seeing such an invasion of privacy spread online. In the wake of the video being leaked, Meek Mill took to Twitter to share his thoughts on what Thugger should do next. “This is a top tier lawsuit your personal call not suppose to be on the street” his quote tweet read. While there hasn’t been any news of an actual lawsuit yet many fans online think there’s a credible case.
Recently, the YSL RICO trial has mainly been focused on the testimony of one of the labels co-founders. He’s discussed numerous subjects including the origins of the labels intentions and the names of some of the most involved parties. While discussing gang ties, Thug’s defense has taken an interesting approach to deflecting the prosecutions allegations. They’ve used clips of various celebrities like Snoop Dogg and LeBron James making gang gestures to refute the idea that gang affiliation can be implied through simply making gang signs.
Earlier this week, Meek Mill surprised fans by revealing what he charges for a feature. He claims that his verses come with a $250k price tag, something many found to be a bit steep. What do you think of Meek Mill’s take on Young Thug’s situation? Do you thing Thug could sue over his conversation with Mariah The Scientist being leaked online? Let us know in the comment section below.
While the Young Thug trial took a break, the Atlanta rapper wound up trending for something else entirely last night. Late in the afternoon, a clip of a video call between Thug and his rumored girlfriend, Atlanta singer Mariah The Scientist, began circulating on Twitter (in case you’re new here, I refuse to call it “X”). While the content of the call was pretty wholesome, tame, and tender, it’s got one person specifically riled up.
Drake, who has been notable throughout his career for skirting issues of politics and current events, commented on a post about video on Instagram, then took a screenshot of his comment, posting it to his Instagram Story for the world to see. “This gotta be some form of jail misconduct,” he argued. “You gonna drag this talented man then not be able to control your employees using his personal business for their own gain?”
“Somebody benefitted from this video even existing and that’s shameful,” he explained. “Whole case is a wash. Just [free] the guy and let him come home and continue bringing light to Atlanta.”
Why Is Drake Upset About Young Thug’s Jail Call With Mariah The Scientist Leaking?
So, Drake has a point. While inmates can have their calls recorded on visitation day, the way the phone system is set up, the recordings go to a server within the jail which only specific jail employees have access to. I confirmed this with a family friend who installed and set up similar systems at other jails. Virtually the only way that gossip sites could have accessed this recording is for either a jail employee or the contractors who maintain the system (all employees of the state) to save and send the snippet, likely for money being paid by the gossip site.
This is almost definitely a misuse of that authority, which underlines the perception of corruption in the penal system that both rappers and cultural critics alike have been pointing out for years. Young Thug’s case is already under intense scrutiny due to its use of the rapper’s lyrics as evidence of violations of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations (RICO) law, with observers questioning the state’s interpretation of Black music as documentary rather than literary.
Drake’s Story post included an addendum; calling the case “disgraceful,” he wondered, “Is this a criminal case or Atlanta social media promo, Ural Glanville?” Here, he alludes to the sentiment that the authorities involved in the case are merely using Thug’s status as a famous rapper to raise their own political profiles. While District Attorney Fani Willis is the one who prosecuted the case in the first place, Judge Glanville is the one who allowed the use of Thug’s lyrics as evidence. Notably, Willis is also prosecuting Donald Trump for his attempt to change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election — and not coincidentally, that case also alleges a “criminal racketeering enterprise.”
However, Thug’s case has devolved into what could ungenerously be described as a media circus. Earlier this week, prosecutors moved to make witness testimonies audio-only, and the proceedings have been interrupted numerous times. In one incident, the Zoom call allowing several participants to attend virtually was broken into by a fan yelling “Free Young Thug! Mistrial!” All of this has drawn more eyes to the case but sapped the court and District Attorney of credibility. With employees of the state also trying to enrich themselves inappropriately with footage of Thug and Mariah’s intimate moments, public sentiment toward the case has to be at an all-time low.
Whether or not Young Thug actually headed up a violent street gang is almost beside the point. It’s the prosecution’s job to find real evidence that he committed crimes, not to try to criminalize artistic expression. There’s a belief that Thug could do more to benefit his hometown using the fruits of that expression to give back — in Drake’s words, “bringing light to Atlanta” — than languishing in a cell for things he only rapped about. As it stands, it looks like the only people benefitting from Young Thug’s incarceration are corrupt officers of the state.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
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