Young Thug Was Just Arrested And Charged With A Serious Crime
Rapper Young Thug (née Jeffery Lamar Williams) received his first big break in the music biz in 2014 with the release of his mega-hit "Stoner." After that, it was simply onward and upward for the budding rap artist as he went on to collaborate with many of the industry's heavy hitters including Kanye "Ye" West, Drake, and "Goosebumps" crooner Travis Scott. Still, Thug is adamant his success didn't happen overnight. "They feel like I came out of nowhere, then I came out of nowhere then. I been rapping since I was a little... so no I didn't come out of nowhere. I been doing it," he told Complex in 2014.
Alas, a recent development wherein Thug was arrested and charged with a very serious crime could prove to wreak havoc on his otherwise successful and illustrious career. Here's everything we know about the legal issues Thug is now facing...
Young Thug was arrested on gang-related charges
"Proud of You" rapper Young Thug was arrested on May 9 at his posh residence in Atlanta, Georgia on gang-related charges including conspiracy to violate the Georgia criminal racketeering law, as reported by the New York Times. His arrest was confirmed by a spokesperson for Fulton County's district attorney, Fani T. Willis.
Thug's arrest comes off the heels of District Attorney Willis' crackdown on street gangs and violent crime. "I'm going to ask the next mayor to make it mandatory that evidence about gangs are taken, so that we can prosecute those crimes correctly and get that element off of our streets," Willis said while speaking to lawmakers in November 2021, per 11 Alive. "If we are able to combat gang violence, we are going to be able to see crime decrease dramatically."
It should be noted, however, that Thug's attorney, Brian Steel, swiftly denied all charges. "Mr. Williams has committed no violation of law, whatsoever," Steel told Page Six. "We will fight this case ethically, legally and zealously. Mr. Williams will be cleared." Furthermore, Steel told the New York Times that "Mr. Williams came from an incredible horrible upbringing, and he has conducted himself throughout his life in a way that is just to marvel at." He added, "He's committed no crime whatsoever. The indictment is baseless to include him."