Young Thug
Jeffery Lamar Williams[6] (born August 16, 1991), known professionally as Young Thug,[a] is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Known for his eccentric vocal style and fashion,[8] he is considered an influential figure in modern hip hop and trap music, and a pioneer of the mumble rap microgenre.[9][3] Williams embarked on a musical career in 2011, releasing a series of mixtapes beginning with I Came from Nothing. In 2013, he signed with fellow Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane's 1017 Records[10] and gained further attention and praise for his debut mixtape with the label, 1017 Thug, released in February of that year.[11]
Young Thug
Jeffery Lamar Williams II[1]
- SEX
- King Slime
- Thugger
- Truly Humble(d) Under God
August 16, 1991
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
2010–present[5]
- YSL
- 300
- Atlantic (current)
- Cash Money
- 1017 Brick Squad (former)
Mariah the Scientist (2021–present)
6
Williams first received mainstream recognition in 2014 for his singles "Stoner" and "Danny Glover," in addition to his guest appearances on numerous singles, including T.I.'s "About the Money", Tyga's "Hookah", and Rich Gang's "Lifestyle". That same year, he released a mixtape with Rich Gang titled Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1, and signed a solo recording contract with 300 Entertainment, an imprint of Atlantic Records. In 2015, he amassed a number of mixtapes to critical acclaim, including Barter 6 and two installments of his Slime Season series. Throughout 2016, Williams saw continued success with the release of his commercial mixtapes I'm Up, Slime Season 3, and Jeffery.[12] In 2017, Williams guest performed on the worldwide hit "Havana" by singer Camila Cabello, which became his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. The following year, he won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for his contributions to Childish Gambino's "This Is America".[13]
Williams' debut studio album, So Much Fun (2019) debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and included the Billboard Hot 100 top-twenty singles "The London" (featuring J. Cole and Travis Scott) and "Hot" (featuring Gunna). The following year, his single "Go Crazy"—with Chris Brown, from their collaborative mixtape Slime & B (2020)—peaked at number three on the Hot 100 and became his first top-ten single as a lead artist. That same year, he reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for a second time for his guest appearance alongside M.I.A. on Travis Scott's single "Franchise". In 2021, he did so for a third time with his guest appearance alongside Future on Drake's "Way 2 Sexy". His second studio album, Punk was released in October of that year[14] to similar success, followed by his third studio album, Business Is Business in June 2023.[15] In addition to his solo career, he's released two compilation albums with his record label, YSL Records: Slime Language (2018) and Slime Language 2 (2021) to concurrent success; the latter debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.[16]
Since May 2022, Williams has faced mounting legal troubles. He has been held without bail in the Fulton County Jail on remand due to being charged with violating the Georgia RICO Act, as well as a total of 56 counts of illegal substance trafficking or firearm possession charges. Williams was arrested alongside 27 other members of YSL on gang-related charges. He has been denied bail four times,[17] and Business Is Business was released during his incarceration.[18]
Early life
Jeffery Lamar Williams was born on August 16, 1991, in Atlanta, Georgia, the tenth of 11 children. He is from Sylvan Hills,[19] but grew up in the Jonesboro South projects near Cleveland Avenue.[20][11] Other rappers from Jonesboro South include Waka Flocka Flame, Ludacris and Williams' childhood friend Peewee Longway, from whom Williams lived four doors down.[21][22] Williams has told interviewers that he was expelled in the sixth grade for breaking a teacher's arm. He was sent to juvenile prison for four years.[23]
Artistry
Musical style and influence
Young Thug has received both praise and criticism for his eccentric vocal style,[27] which has been described as departing from traditional rap lyricism and sometimes intelligible meaning.[102] Jeff Weiss of BBC called him the "most influential rapper of the 21st century."[9] According to The Fader, "in a typical Young Thug verse, he slurs, shouts, whines and sings, feverishly contorting his voice into a series of odd timbres like a beautifully played but broken wind instrument."[11] Pitchfork called his style "extraordinarily distinctive" and "a weird, experimental approach to rapping" while praising his "presence, persona, mystique, and, potentially, star power."[103]
Billboard wrote that "Thug uses this multiplicative vocal delivery to his advantage: where another rapper might lapse into repetition, he finds a new way to distress and warp his tone, to burrow resourcefully into rhythmic cracks and crevices."[104] Complex noted his aptitude for creating catchy, melodic hooks.[105] XXL called him a "rap weirdo", stating that "Thug's charisma, unhinged flow and hooks make his music intriguing."[106] Critic Sheldon Pearce wrote that "Thug understands the modern pop song construction better than anyone: anything and everything can be a hook."[107]
Young Thug has been noted for his fast working method,[108] with several collaborators observing his tendency to freestyle tracks live in the studio or quickly develop lyrics on the spot.[109] He doesn't write down lyrics on paper, but has been known to plan lyrics by drawing shapes and signs.[109] Consequence of Sound stated that "his work is constantly rooted in improvisation, an inherently thrilling concept that's embedded itself in black music."[110] Discussing his work, Williams has claimed the ability to write a hit song in ten minutes[102] and said "I'm in the studio so much, I'll just try stuff. I just think and try, think and try. I don't really know how to sing, but I've been trying for years."[11] Young Thug has cited American rapper Lil Wayne, as his biggest idol and influence.[111] In an interview with Complex magazine he says, "I want to get in the studio with Wayne more than anybody in the world."[111] He has cited mentor Gucci Mane[112] and Kanye West as influences.[113]
Image and fashion
Vibe Magazine called Young Thug "one of the most unpredictable, charismatic, and outlandish personalities in hip hop today."[114] Rovi called him a "fashion icon".[115] His wardrobe has been described as eccentric and consists predominantly of women's clothing, which he has preferred to wear since age 12.[116] The Seattle Times wrote that "with a fashion sense as unconventional as his rapping, Young Thug can regularly be seen on his Instagram account rocking painted fingernails, skintight jeans or a kids-size dress as a shirt, which, along with his habit of regularly referring to close male friends as 'hubbie' or 'lover' has led to rumors about his sexual orientation."[21]
In an advertisement for Calvin Klein, Thug proclaimed "In my world, you can be a gangsta with a dress or you can be a gangsta with baggy pants."[117] Fusion described him as "defying gender stereotypes and agitating the way hip-hop defines black masculinity, through his eccentric sense of style."[118] He has been compared to David Bowie, Prince, and Little Richard.[119] The media has called him gender fluid and androgynous.[120] GQ called him "at once a hero and an outsider and a leader of the psychedelic fashion movement of rap hippies."[121]
In February 2018, Young Thug rebranded himself as "SEX".[122]
Legal issues
In April 2015, after a Lil Wayne tour bus was fired at by members of the Bloods street-gang, Young Thug was among those sued by the bus driver alongside Cash Money Records, Young Money Records and Birdman.[134]
A lawsuit was filed against Thug in January 2017 after he failed to show up at a concert in Sahlen's Stadium after he signed a $55,000 contract.[135] This was not the first time a lawsuit was filed against him for not appearing at a concert, as a Texas production company had done the same in April 2016 after he failed to perform at a concert.[136]
Thug was cleared of battery in April 2017 after reportedly slapping a woman outside a nightclub the previous month.[137] The woman was arguing with Thug's fiancée, Jerrika Karlae, when Thug allegedly stepped in and struck the woman. The charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence.[138]
Young Thug's gun and drug charges were dropped in April 2017 following a raid of his then-home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, which resulted in him being charged with felony cocaine possession, felony marijuana possession, and three counts of felony gun possession.[139] Thug's lawyers argued that police conducted the search without a warrant which led to the D.A. dropping all charges except felony marijuana possession.[140] It was reported in April 2017 that Thug was being sued by Heritage Select Homes for owing almost $2.2 million in house payments.[141]
On September 24, 2017, Thug was arrested in Brookhaven, Georgia, on multiple drug possession charges and possession of a firearm.[142] He was released on bond three days later.[143] On September 7, 2018, he was charged with possession and intent to distribute meth, hydrocodone, and marijuana. He was also charged with possession of amphetamine, alprazolam, codeine (2 counts), and a firearm;[144] this indictment was related to his 2017 arrest.[145]
On May 9, 2022, Thug was arrested in Atlanta on gang-related charges.[146] Thug and Gunna were among the 28 people associated with YSL who were charged in a 56-count Georgia RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act indictment filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.[147] Following a search of his home, he was charged with seven additional felonies related to possession of illegal substances and illegal firearms.[148] He was held at the Fulton County Superior Court.[149] He was denied bond several times and has remained in the Cobb County Jail since his arrest.[150]
On November 27, 2023, his state RICO criminal trial officially began.[151][152] Five of his co-defendants will stand trial with him as well.[153] On December 12, 2023, it was agreed that the continuation of the trial would be delayed until January 2024 after his co-defendant Shannon Stillwell was stabbed multiple times during a fight that occurred in the Fulton County Jail.[154] The trial resumed on January 2, 2024.[155]