ysl rico Archives - Page 4 of 16

Young Thug And Gunna 2017 Arrest Photos Shown In YSL Trial

January 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Young Thug’s YSL trial is continuing to rumble on and even though it’s been nearly a year since he pleaded out, Gunna is still involved. Earlier today the prosecution introduced some new evidence that included photos of Thug and Gunna in 2017. The pictures are taken during an arrest after a traffic stop. The pair were reportedly found with meth, hydrocodone, marijuana and cash. While the prosecution focused on its connection to alleged YSL gang activities but fans online took notice for a different reason.

One of the most attention-grabbing claims made by the defense came early in the case. They stated that the “Thug” in Young Thug is actually an acronym standing for “Truly Humble Under God.” That claim has stuck in the heads of fans watching along with the trial. That’s why many took notice of the arrest photos from 2017 because of Thug’s shirt. He’s sporting a black shirt with the text “Fear Of God” on it, something the prosecutors didn’t directly acknowledge. Check out the pictures themselves below.

Young Thug And Gunna Arrest Photos In Court

Jurors in the YSL trial just saw these photos of Gunna and Young Thug being arrested in 2017 during a traffic stop in Atlanta with meth, hydrocodone, marijuana and cash, part of the over acts prosecutor say supports the RICO conspiracy charge.

Watch live: https://t.co/P1vtovAwOG pic.twitter.com/cZbDaxPMso

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) January 30, 2024

Earlier this month one of Young Thug’s phone calls from jail was leaked online. Both the audio and video of a conversation with his girlfriend Mariah The Scientist popped up on the internet. The video isn’t particularly dramatic but the leak still rubbed many fans the wrong way. People who saw the leak on Twitter discussed how uncomfortable it made them feel invading both artist’s privacy just by watching the clip.

In the wake of the video leaking some of Thug’s biggest collaborators came to his defense. Meek Mill went online claiming that Thug had a legitimate lawsuit on his hands from the leak. Drake took to Instagram to call out the judge in the case directly for not being able to keep private matters in the case private. What do you think of the photos of Young Thug and Gunna being arrested in 2017 being introduced as evidence by the prosecution in the YSL RICO case? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Drake Rips Young Thug Judge To Shreds After Vulnerable Mariah The Scientist Jail Call Video Surfaces Online

January 25, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Drake has become good friends with Young Thug over the years. Overall, the two have worked together a ton and they have made some fantastic tracks. However, Drizzy has evolved into a full-on supporter as Thugger looks to win his YSL Rico case. Things have been moving at a snail’s pace in the case, and things only got worse last night. As we reported, a jail call was leaked to the public. In this video, Mariah The Scientist can be heard calling Young Thug “daddy,” among other things.

It was pretty uncomfortable to watch the video, and many fans claimed the same thing. After all, this was meant to be a private conversation between two lovers. Instead, it ended up becoming something for public consumption. This is obviously a major breach of privacy, and people like Drake feel like the whole thing is disgusting. In a post on DJ Akademiks’ Instagram page, the Canadian megastar revealed just how upset he is about the whole thing.

Drake Speaks Out

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A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

“This gotta be some form of jail misconduct,” Drake wrote. “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 whole case is a wash just 3 the guy and let him come home and continue bringing light to Atlanta.” Subsequently, he took to his Instagram story with more words for Judge Ural Glanville. “Shit is disgraceful… is this a criminal case or Atlanta social media promo Ural Glanville?” he said. Needless to say, Drizzy is outraged, as are many other fans.

Let us know what you think of Drake’s comments, down below. Is this whole situation an outrage, or just another expected misstep in a poorly handled case? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming releases.

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Young Thug’s Attorney Uses Snoop Dogg’s Super Bowl Performance As Evidence In Trial

January 22, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The YSL RICO trial has the very culture of hip-hop in its veins. It’s obviously very literally related to rap music as rappers are directly involved. Gunna, YFN Lucci, and most notoriously Young Thug are directly related to the case. It’s also intersected with plenty of other high-profile artists and notable moments in rap. The use of Thug’s lyrics has introduced rappers like Juice Wrld into the mix. Thug’s attorneys even once brought up Lil Uzi Vert’s notorious forehead diamond to explain a particular lyric used by the defense.

Now, yet another iconic piece of hip-hop lore is coming up in the trial. Young Thug’s attorneys have been trying to fight back against the prosecution’s claims of gang affiliations for weeks now. One of the major ways they’ve done that is by attacking the very notion that many of the gang signs cited by the prosecution necessarily imply gang affiliation. They used clips of athletes like Serena Williams and LeBron James to show that gang culture reaches far beyond those directly affiliated. For similar reasons, the defense played clips of Snoop Dogg’s Super Bowl performance in court. They aimed to prove that gang culture is so deeply ingrained in rap that it doesn’t work as direct proof of any actual gang affiliations.

Snoop Dogg Performance Played In Young Thug Trial

Last week, the prosecution in the trial tried to shut down the livestream fans have been using to watch the trial. After incidents like threatening comments made in the Zoom call and even an outright hack, they claim that the harm outweighs the good. Despite that claim the livestream is still available and today’s proceedings are currently available to watch online. One of YSL’s co-founders is back in court today answering even more questions about the label.

What do you think of Young Thug’s attorney playing a clip of Snoop Dogg performing during his trial? Do you think it does a good job of proving how engrained gang culture in in rap music? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Young Thug & YSL Trial: State Motions To Block RICO Case’s Live Stream

January 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The RICO trial for Young Thug and the rest of YSL might change in a big way soon, at least for us spectators. Moreover, the state just filed a motion to block the livestream of court proceedings, and their reasoning is quite interesting. Specifically, they name “limitations on the media’s ability to video record testifying witnesses during the pendency of the trial of this case.” In addition, they reference a December 5, 2023 incident in which “live video footage of the trial testimony of a forensic analyst for the State was broadcast by the media. As this witness testified, menacing commentary appeared in the live chat for the broadcast: ‘we will see u later [witness’ name] YSL gunna pop by later.’”

Furthermore, prosecutors in the Young Thug and YSL RICO trial want to consider “a substantial likelihood of harm arising from one or more of the identified factors; whether that harm outweighs the benefit of recording to the public, and whether the Court has considered more narrow restrictions on recording than a complete denial of the media’s requests.” However, they also had specific requests. These include that the courtroom should only allow audio devices for the media’s recording and no visual recording of the witnesses at all. Also, they want to court to ban the media from identifying victim and witness testifiers’ full names until they complete said testimony.

State Motions To Block Young Thug & YSL RICO Trial’s Livestream

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A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

While folks may see this move as highly prohibitive, the State does not agree. “To be clear, the State is not requesting an outright denial of recording in this trial,” they expressed. “Instead, each of the State’s requests is explicitly referenced in Rule 22(G)(2) as an example of a ‘least restrictive possible limitation’ on recording short of denial.” We’ve already seen how testimonies spread like wildfire online, contributing to our public perception of it.

But many might ask what’s more important: public knowledge of the trial or safety-oriented secrecy around it? The answer is complex, but prosecutors and defense attorneys alike want this case to proceed as smoothly and fairly as possible. Hackers already interrupted the trial in the past, so perhaps this move will increase its efficiency. On the other hand, it could leave the public in the dark as they already debate whether these proceedings upheld fair practices. Regardless, with all this in mind, check back in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on Young Thug and the YSL RICO case.

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LeBron James And Serena Williams Brought Up In YSL RICO Trial

January 11, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Every time it seems like the strangest thing yet has happened in the Young Thug YSL RICO case, it manages to one-up itself. Across the past few days, one of the label’s co-founders Tick has been testifying and there’s been a number of explosive moments from his testimony alone. But that may not even cover the most surprising development. That came when the court’s Zoom meeting was hacked, seemingly by a fan of Young Thug. The fan interrupted the trial proceedings while calling for the rapper to be freed.

Today, Tick was back again this time for cross-examination from the defense. One of the strategies Thug’s defense lawyers deployed was an attempt to muddy the water about what signified somebody as a gang member or gang affiliate. To do so he introduced several pieces of evidence of unaffiliated celebrities doing similar things to what the prosecution had alleged were gang activity. This included Lil Wayne’s tattoos, the way Serena Williams was walking, and most notably a clip of Lebron James. In the clip, Lebron does a “slime” handshake with one of his Lakers teammates. The defense is using that as evidence that more evidence is needed to prove somebody is actually gang affiliated. Check out the video of the testimony below.

LeBron James Video Used In Young Thug Trial

Before Tick could finish being cross-examined, the judge delayed the continuation of the trial until later this month. Wild headlines about the YSL case will slow down until at least January 22 when it’s due to get back under way. The judge left both the jury and legal teams with a request to use the time off to get their appropriate flu shots and vaccinations.

Sickness has already been an issue in the case responsible for more than one delay in trial proceedings. What do you think of Tick answering questions about LeBron James handshakes during the YSL RICO trial? Do you think the defense’s evidence helped raised the barrier for proof of gang affiliation? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Young Thug’s Defense Plays Old Rich Gang Song In Court For Cross Examination

January 11, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The high-profile nature of Young Thug’s trial has created some fascinating moments when court proceedings cross paths with his public history. That was the case earlier today when Thug’s defense played a video of one of his fan-favorite songs. The track in question was hit 2014 Rich Gang single “Lifestyle” which everyone in the courtroom watches in mostly still silence.

The video is part of cross-examination of Tick, one of the co-founders of YSL. His testimony across the past few days has sparked a number of viral moments as he makes significant revelations about the label and alleged gang. Despite that, Thug’s lawyers have had a complicated strategy for cross-examination. They’ve asked him about numerous celebrities like LeBron James, Serena Williams, and even Lil Wayne referencing things like tattoos and handshakes. It seems like an attempt to muddy the waters over some of his more specific claims of gang affiliations in his original examination by the prosecution. Before cross-examination on Tick could conclude though, the trial was delayed. Proceedings will start back up on January 22.

Young Thug Trial Done Till Later This Month

They played Young Thug’s “Lifestyle” in court today pic.twitter.com/WhAfI5g8on

— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) January 11, 2024

Before releasing everyone from court today, the judge made one more request of both the jury and the legal teams. That was for everyone to get the appropriate flu shots and vaccinations they need to prevent illness from causing further delays in the trial. Sickness has been an issue multiple times already in the case with one jurors health problems even resulting in them being replaced early on in the trial.

Yesterday, one of the most surprising developments to date happened in the trial. Someone calling for Young Thug to be freed somehow hacked into the courtroom’s Zoom meeting. He essentially interrupted the trial in the middle of the proceedings. What do you think of “Lifestyle” being played in court today during cross-examination of Tick? Has your opinion changed on whether or not Young Thug will beat the charges brought against him? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Young Thug’s Juice WRLD Tribute Jacket Called Out By DA In Court

January 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

With the new year came the renewed YSL RICO case which meant Young Thug was back in the news cycle. The rapper has been behind bars since May of 2022 and the trial itself has already been going on for months. When it got back underway last week some fans were focused on Thug himself. Not only did he find the chance to do some promo for his new fashion line but some fans think he’s also put on some weight as the trial goes on. JID also got some of his own observations in about the case. He took to Twitter to critique the prosecution for their sloppiness and lack of preparation.

Now, the hottest story in the case has had to do with one of the co-founders of YSL, Slug, testifying. It started when he identified numerous members of the gang in open court. Though fans online called it snitching not everyone thought so. Others think he was deliberately only giving up those who could be found out anyway. As the debate over that testimony raged online he was adding some fuel to an entirely different fire from earlier in the day. Check out his newest testimony below.

Slug Discusses Young Thug’s Jacket

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A post shared by No Jumper (@nojumper)

Earlier in the day, the district attorney had called out Young Thug for the “SP5DER” jacket that he wore to court today. During Slug’s testimony, he was asked about the jacket and clarified on the details he knows about it. He told the prosecution that it’s a tribute to Juice WRLD, who passed away in 2019. Young Thug and Juice WRLD

Thug and Juice worked together multiple times on record. Most notably Juice WRLD appears on the song “Mannequin Challenge” from Thug’s 2019 album So Much Fun. A single the pair released together called “Bad Boy” featured lyrics that were used against Thugger as evidence in court. What do you think of Young Thug being called out for wearing a jacket tributing Juice WRLD? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Young Thug’s Brother Shares A Message To Him From Behind Bars

January 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Last week just as 2023 turned to 2024 Young Thug’s YSL RICO trial got back underway. He first emerged back in court on January 2 and the official trial proceedings got underway shortly after. The first day back in the trial had fans asking questions about the prosecution. One of those was JID, who took to Twitter to express his thoughts on the lack of preparedness and sloppy arguments from the state.

Now, Young Thug’s own brother has taken to social media with a message to him. That came through his Instagram story where he shared a photo of the rapper in court. “I promise god hear us, I wish I can call u and tell u I understand now,” the caption attached to the picture reads. The post got a lot of responses from fans discussing the plea deal that Thug’s brother took earlier in the YSL court proceedings. Check out his story post and fan reactions to it below.

Young Thug’s Brother Speaks As YSL Trial Starts Back Up

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A post shared by No Jumper (@nojumper)

As far as the trial itself goes, one of the more notable figures testified in court today. That was Slug, who took the opportunity to name multiple alleged members of the YSL gang. While some reacted to his confession as snitching, others think it might be more calculated. “He giving them information they know it’ll eventually can figure out on they own. Y’all slow asf,” one comment reacting to his testimony reads.

Others in the comment section agree. “99 percent of the people calling him a rat here have prolly never been involved in the streets lmao,” and “He ain’t say no real names he know what he doin lol” two other comments read. He’s one of many known figures in the YSL orbit that have ended up testifying as a result of the court proceedings. What do you think of Young Thug’s brother sharing a message for him publicly? Are you following the newest developments every day in the YSL RICO trial? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Trontavious Stephens’ YSL Testimony Leaves Us Laughing As He Evades Snitching Questions

January 4, 2024 by newhiphopnews

We knew there would be some serious antics unfolding in court throughout the YSL RICO trial, but we couldn’t possibily have predicted this much of a fiasco. Over a year and a half after Young Thug was first arrested in Atlanta, he remains behind bars, with court proceedings only kicking off in the final weeks of 2023. Unfortuntaely, the stabbing of a co-defendant put a brief pause of things ahead of the holiday season, but as the new year began, so too did Thugger’s fight for his freedom.

The latest updates from Fulton County confirm that the label’s co-founder, Trontavious Stephens, is among the latest to give his testimony after previously accepting a plea deal. On Wednesday (January 3), he spoke about YSL being an organization that’s about “the music,” not commiting crimes. As Fox 5 Atlanta notes, part of Stephens’ agreement with the prosecution is that he’s required to testify “truthfully and without invoking his Fifth Amendment right.” While he did admit to gang involvement dating back as early as his teenage years, the witness did everything in his power to evade questions about snitching.

Young Thug’s Former Co-Defandant Gives His Testimony as YSL Trial Resumes

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“What does snitching mean to you?” a female voice asks Stephens in the video above. “It doesn’t mean anything to me,” he responds after taking a moment to carefully consider his words. “But I’m aware of the term,” he acknowledges, speaking the truth, as promised. “What is the meaning of the term?” prosecutors further press him, to which Trontavious simply shakes his head. “The definition?” she continues. “It doesn’t mean anything to me but I’m aware of the term,” the YSL leader reiterates.

Even though he’s approaching two years of being behind bars on his YSL RICO charges, Young Thug remains optimistic about the future. Now that he’s back in court, the So Much Fun hitmaker’s social media pages are lighting up with teasers of his latest creative project – a clothing brand. Read more about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

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