The infamous “YSL RICO Trial” against Young Thug has begun in Atlanta.
The controversial indictment against YSL, or Young Stoner’s Life – ATL’s iconic rap record label owned by Thugger – references “colours, clothing, tattoos, hand signs as well as verbal and written identifiers” that YSL allegedly uses, including wearing red or green bandanas, saying and writing the words “BLATT” meaning “Blood Love All the Time” or “SLATT” meaning “Slime Love All the Time.”
In opening statements, the lawyer Brian Steel asserted that the rapper often uses violent lyrics as a reflection of the ‘society that he was born into’ and doesn’t encourage actual violence.
“Yes, he speaks about ‘killing 12’ and people being shot and drugs and drive-by shootings,” Steel said, referring to Thug’s music which talks about threatening the police. “This is the environment he grew up in. These are the people he knew, these are the stories he knew. These are the words he rhymed.”
“This is art,” Thug’s lawyer added further. “This is freedom of speech.”
The attorney further said that Thug is worth “tens of millions of dollars” and does not need to stir violence or cause trouble in Atlanta streets to survive.
“He is not sitting there telling people to kill people. He doesn’t need their money. He’s worth tens of millions of dollars,” Steel said.
Reportedly, Thugger continues to be under trial for various criminal activities including murder, armed robbery, carjackings, illegitimate possession of arms racing, reckless driving, and more as part of the massive Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charges levelled against him and 27 other YSL affiliates.
Notably, Thug is now one of the six remaining defendants in the trial – 22 others have either taken plea deals or been severed from the case including Gunna who took the “Alford Plea” earlier this year and was released from prison.
More on the YSL Trial as it progresses.
You can read further about Young Thug’s opening statements here.
