Young Thug’s Jury Selection Begins Today In RICO Trial

The day felt like it would never come, but finally, YSL’s RICO Trial is officially underway. Since Young Thug, Gunna, and a slew of other affiliates were arrested in the spring of 2022, the hip-hop community has been eagerly waiting to watch the case play out in court.

Many – including the DS4EVER rapper – have taken plea deals to secure their freedom. Thugger, however, has remained in custody from day one. According to previous reports, the only deals put on the table for him would still result in life in prison.

As France24 reports, jury selection began earlier today (January 9) in the city of Atlanta. The process will likely be a lengthy one, as final members must be impartial to the situation.

The trial itself is due to last much of this year as prosecutors attempt to prove that Young Thug’s record label is a crime ring front. The defence has vehemently denied these allegations. They insist that YSL (Young Stoner Life Records) is “a music label and vague association of artists.”

One element of this case that’s specifically raising eyebrows is the use of the So Much Fun hitmaker’s lyrics in the courtroom. Earlier this month, a video of a judge awkwardly reciting bars from “Slime Shit” began circulating online.

According to TMZ, other songs we may hear from prosecutors are “Take it to Trial,” “Ski,” and “Slatty.”

Elsewhere it’s been noted that the state could call over 300 witnesses, including Lil Wayne. It remains unclear what other famous faces may appear in court, though Thugger’s far-reaching influence has connected him with much of the industry over the years.

The Atlanta native has pleaded not guilty to his charges, and his attorney seems confident in his ability to clear his client’s name.

Read about the questions for potential jurors in the YSL RICO case here. Afterward, tell us what you think Young Thug’s ultimate fate will be in the comment section.

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Dr. Dre Slams Marjorie Taylor Greene for Using “Still D.R.E.”

Dr. Dre called out congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in a statement provided to TMZ on Monday morning. The legendary producer is upset about her use of his song, “Still D.R.E.,” in a promotional video.

“I don’t license my music to politicians, especially someone as divisive and hateful as this one,” the artist told TMZ after its release.

INDIO, CA – APRIL 15: Rapper Dr. Dre performs onstage during day 3 of the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Field on April 15, 2012 in Indio, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)

In the clip, Greene walks in slow motion throughout the halls of Congress. It further shows shots taken on the House floor of Greene appearing to text with “DT,” referring to Donald Trump. It ends with news coverage of Greene taking a selfie with newly-elected Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.

“It’s time to begin.. and they can’t stop what’s coming,” Greene captioned the video.

Much of the response to the video was negative.

One user wrote: “My money’s on Dr. Dre’s lawyers stopping you from infringing on his copyright.”

“This is the lamest ad I’ve seen in my lifetime,” another user posted.

“Still D.R.E.” released as the lead single from Dre’s multi-platinum second studio album, 2001. It originally peaked at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 but reentered the chart in 2022, around the time of Dre’s Super Bowl halftime appearance. Then, it reached as high as number 23.

Dre is far from the first artist to voice their frustration with politicians using their music in recent years. Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., and more all complained about Donald Trump using their music for his presidential campaigns over the years.

Check out Marjorie Taylor Greene’s video featuring “Still D.R.E.” below.

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Wiz Khalifa Seemed To Really Enjoy Dominating His Son On The Basketball Court

Wiz Khalifa claimed during a recent trip to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that he learned Michael Phelps has “better lungs than Aquaman” after smoking with the all-time Olympic great. Could Wiz beat Phelps in a swimming race? Most likely not. But we have proof that he can at least handle his nine-year-old son, Sebastian, in basketball.

A video shared by HipHopDX shows Wiz, who reportedly stands at at least 6’2″, easily scoring on Sebastian and another one boy. At one point, one of the boys complains, “You’re cherrypicking!” But Wiz isn’t here for the excuses.

Wiz gave fans a window into his training methods this morning, January 9. “Don’t matter if you sore from last week still get yo ass in the gym this week,” he tweeted. Of course, two weed-centric tweets preceded it:

A lighthearted game of backyard basketball was probably the perfect antidote for Wiz after he “tripped and fell in the pool in my 10 thousand dollar suit” on New Year’s Day.

The multiplatinum-certified rapper performed his breakthrough “Black And Yellow” and last year’s “Memory Lane” for the Los Angeles hub of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, which also featured performances by Halle Bailey, Finneas, Dove Cameron, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and more.

Watch Wiz’s performances below.

Wiz Khalifa is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Tory Lanez Will Reportedly Use Suge Knight’s Former Lawyer To Appeal His Shooting Conviction

Three weeks after being found guilty of assault in the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion (as well as two other charges) and facing up to 20 years in prison, Tory Lanez has reportedly tapped a new defense lawyer for his upcoming appeal. According to Meghann Cuniff (aka “Meghann Thee Reporter,” as fans dubbed her for her coverage during the trial), Lanez traded in George Mgdesyan for David Kenner, who previously represented Death Row co-founder Suge Knight and Snoop Dogg.

“Regarding Tory Lanez’s Tuesday court date, yes, there is a date listed on the jail roster,” Cuniff wrote on Twitter. “It’s not on Judge Herriford’s calendar, and he’s got a bunch of other stuff at the time. Attorney David Kenner confirmed to me last week he’s now representing Tory.” In a follow-up tweet, she noted that while Kenner is an experienced defender, “he’s joining the case a bit late: Before trial would have been better.”

She was careful to point out that “everything we’re discussing here is standard and expected post-conviction litigation – asking judge to reduce to misdemeanors, requesting new trial based on perceived issues with evidence/witnesses – but David Kenner only recently got on the case. Give it time.” She also confirmed that Tory’s January 10 hearing is to formalize the switch to Kenner.

What Cuniff didn’t point out (but hinted at) is that Mgdesyan turned out to be a bit of a disaster for Tory’s defense. A witness called to help clear Tory of firing the shots that wounded Megan Thee Stallion (or at least cast doubt as to whether Tory or Kelsey Harris, Megan’s friend who was with them at the time, did so) all but confirmed that the “smaller guy” both held and fired the gun — enough to establish the assault charge and related negligent discharge of a firearm count. Tory was convicted on all three charges (including possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle).

And while his supporters, including his father, who blamed the whole thing on Jay-Z for some reason, think Tory was railroaded, in truth, when his own defense lawyer pretty much sealed his fate, it’s hard to argue that anyone is to blame than Tory — whether for shooting at Megan in the first place or for not vetting his representation more thoroughly before the trial.

Megan Thee Stallion is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.