In May of 2022 Young Thug, also known as Jeffery Williams was indicted and charged with a RICO case, also known as racketeering and influenced Corrupt Organization Act. He was on trial at the Fulton County Courthouse where his trial will begin. Young Thug co-founded the record label Young Stoner Life, which many people know as YSL. He was indicted because there was speculation that the well-known record label YSL was not just a record label, but more of a criminal organization that led to numerous crimes happening in the city of Atlanta, Georgia. These crimes include drug trafficking, violent crimes, and money laundering. Many co-defendants who were associated with YSL came on trial to fight this case and beat it. A very well-known rapper known as Gunna, his real name being Sergio Giavanni Kitchens took a plea deal during the trial, stating that YSL was indeed a gang and not just a record label. Young Thug now cannot rap about gang violence or promote it in any way. He has to do four concerts a year against gang violence, and he cannot travel to metro Atlanta according to bbc.com. In a recent interview, an individual by the name of David Smith that attends Belleville High School said, “Gunna was not wrong for taking the plea deal, because this is real life and Gunna has a life to live.”
In addition, another individual by the name of Martilleo Felder said, “Young Thug should not stop making music, considering his conditions.”
It’s very interesting to think about how these rappers sell drugs but are already rich. Why go and throw that talent away just because you want a couple of dollars on the side? To me, it’s stupid to sell drugs and commit crimes to make more money, when these artists can make triple that just by releasing music. Rappers and entertainers have great influence over their listeners and by committing crimes, it shows the young, impressionable teens that this is acceptable.
In conclusion, seeing both sides of the story, fans are happy young thug was released and are now wondering if he will continue to make music. Young Thug isn’t the only rapper with this mentality, Lil Durk whose real name is Durk Banks was hit with a murder-for-hire charge in relation to King Vons death back in 2020. Lil Durk being a very wealthy man, still living in his treacherous ways. Despite having a career that is going so well, some may ask why throw it away? Why still commit unethical or immoral acts that could end your career? Right now, Lil Durk is facing life in prison until he is proven innocent, and those chances are slim. So many rappers or big artists throw their life away for moments of excitement or money that isn’t anywhere close to how important their careers really are. Maybe Sooner or later we’ll understand why these artists tend to forget they have fans that look up to them, not only fans but some of these rappers have families and folks to take care of.
