One of rap’s most beloved figures, Young Thug, has just been freed from incarceration following two years in custody.
Young Thug (real name Jeffrey Williams) was arrested in May 2022 alongside 27 others hailing from his YSL label for a 56-count indictment for breaking the Georgian RICO law. Following a lengthy trial that began late last year, the rapper rejected a plea deal for the case which was built around allegations of carjackings, murders and drug dealing. Instead, Young Thug opted for a guilty plea that was non-negotiated.
On Halloween (Thursday, October 31) Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced Williams, ruling that he was not a danger to the community and was let off with fifteen years probation. Watch the full ruling below:
The full conditions for his release are as follows:
- Thug is banned from Metro-Atlanta for 10 years – with the exceptions of weddings, funerals, graduations and grave illnesses
- Thug must give four annual anti-gun presentations or concerts within Metro Atlanta
- Thug is allowed to travel for work (including concerts)
- Thug is prohibited from contacting other gang members or co-defendants from the case with the exception of rappers Gunna and his brother
- Thug is forbidden from promoting gang-related content
In the trial and prior to sentencing, Williams was quoted acknowledging his power within the community and how he must set an example for his audience:
“[I take] full responsibility for my crimes and for my charges… I know what I bring to the table and I know what I am, I know the heights I’ve reached and I know the impact I’ve got on people in the community.”
Rap Community Reaction
The internet, after a long campaign in support of the rapper, is going relatively wild over the release of Young Thug. Since his incarceration, crowds all over the world have been demanding his release. Even at a Travis Scott concert I attended last week, attendees could be seen holding “Free Thug” signs. The event had trended on Twitter/X and its popularity was only supported by endorsements from A-list artists which are listed down below:
Sexyy Redd
Rapper Sexyy Redd posted to her Twitter/X “THEY LET TWIN OUT!!”
Kanye West & Drake
Kanye West and Drake both shared the news on their Instagram stories with the former sharing an article and the latter sharing a song in which they collaborated.
Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj posted to her Instagram story the following message addressed to Young Thug: “Welcome home @thuggerthugger1, Don’t leave again, the ppl need you. The game missed you. So happy for you, your children, family & fans. Happy Halloween #ThugFree”
Travis Scott
In a new Instagram story, Travis Scott posted “My brudda otw [on the way] home 🤎🤎🤎”.
Young Thug is best known for his songs “pick up the phone”, “Go Crazy”, as well as countless collaborations with other industry A-listers. He is represented by Warner Music via 300 Entertainment. 300 Entertainment CEO Kevin Liles supported Williams in a statement late Thursday night:
“Words can’t express the incredible happiness and relief I feel to learn of Jeffery’s freedom, there will be a time to discuss the criminalization of hip-hop lyrics and the use of bond denial as a weapon against defendants, but in this moment everyone should feel nothing but joy that this amazing artist and even better man can hug his children, parents, siblings, and other loved ones tonight. We must always remember artists aren’t fictional characters, they’re human beings first. God bless Jeffery and his family.”
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