Latest news with #YSLRICO
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Diddy drama: Young Thug brands Kid Cudi a 'rat' after testifying in court
American rapper Young Thug. Image: X/@Naija_PR The hip-hop streets are talking again. Known more for his moody soundscapes than street politics, Kid Cudi recently took the stand in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' high-profile sex trafficking and racketeering trial, and it didn't go unnoticed. While Cudi's court appearance had nothing to do with any wrongdoing on his part, that didn't stop fellow rapper Young Thug from branding him a 'rat'. "The Day 'n' Nite" rapper appeared in court and detailed a 2012 incident involving a Molotov cocktail being thrown at his Porsche, an event that supports allegations made by Diddy's former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ While many praised Cudi for speaking up, others, including Young Thug, weren't impressed. Thug, who is currently embroiled in his own legal saga, took to X and wrote, 'Dam Cudi a rat lol,' before quickly deleting the post (I wonder why). But as we know, screenshots live forever. The now-deleted tweet was enough to stir up fans. Why is Young Thug tweeting in support of Diddy — Wost🐰 (@mosthiphop) May 23, 2025 Backing Thug was DJ Akademiks, a media personality known for his blunt commentary on hip-hop culture and artists' personal lives. He has built his platform by reporting on rapper feuds, court cases and behind-the-scenes drama. DJ Akademiks believes that Thug's tweet calling Cudi a 'rat' comes from unresolved feelings of betrayal, especially after what happened with Gunna in the YSL RICO case. Akademiks reacts to Young Thug calling Kid Cudi a rat — Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) May 25, 2025 Gunna, who had also been arrested as part of the same case, shocked fans when he took a plea deal in late 2022. As part of that deal, Gunna publicly admitted that YSL is a gang, not just a record label. He also stated that the weapons and drugs found during the group's arrest were not his. The moment that courtroom video went viral, social media turned on Gunna, with many calling him a 'snitch' for essentially confirming prosecutors' narrative about YSL. Thug, who remains behind bars fighting the charges, has since distanced himself from Gunna, and many believe he feels completely betrayed. So when Cudi recently testified in the Diddy case, a completely unrelated trial and backed up claims made by Ventura, it triggered something in Thug. Since that courtroom fallout, Thug has severed ties with Gunna and now appears to be applying the same code to Cudi. However, Cudi has never claimed to be part of street culture. Fans were quick to point out that he doesn't live by the same unspoken 'no snitching' rules that often govern artists from a different hip-hop lane. Now, let's break that down for anyone who missed the courtroom drama: The YSL case is a high-profile legal battle where prosecutors charged Young Thug and several members of his Young Slime Life crew under RICO laws (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act). These laws are usually used to target organised crime (think mafia or gang networks) and in this case, authorities claimed that YSL was not just a music label but an actual street gang involved in criminal activity, including drugs, weapons, and violence.
Express Tribune
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Young Thug puts his lawyer Brian Steel on new merch ahead of release of new album
Young Thug is turning heads with his latest merch drop—and this time, it's his lawyer getting the spotlight. As he gears up to release his next album, UY Scuti, Thug unveiled several pieces of promotional merchandise. One standout item is a t-shirt featuring a picture of his defense attorney, Brian Steel, with the letters 'WWBD' printed above. The acronym stands for WHAT WOULD BRIAN DO and the shirt is part of a full box set that also includes the upcoming album. UY Scuti will mark Thug's first full-length album since his 2023 project Business Is Business and his first since being released from jail in connection to the YSL RICO case. While no exact date has been confirmed, a billboard teasing the new music earlier this month suggested the album is coming in May coinciding with the three-year anniversary of his and Gunna's arrest in the viral RICO case. Young Thug has been teasing UY Scuti for weeks. Back in March, he and Mariah the Scientist made a public appearance at an NBA game between the Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors where they held up a jersey featuring the album name on the back. The name UY Scuti comes from one of the largest known stars in the universe. As for the album's features, things are still under wraps. In March, Future posted the title on X with no explanation. Meanwhile, Brian Steel, who played a key role in defending Young Thug, has already taken on another high-profile client. He's now involved in Diddy's legal defense team. Earlier this week, Steel joined the case just weeks before Diddy's trial is set to begin. The Bad Boy mogul was arrested back in September on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Diddy has pleaded not guilty and continues to maintain his innocence. Jury selection begins May 5th.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Young Thug's defense attorney, Brian Steel, to rep Diddy, court documents suggest
The Brief Sean "Diddy" Combs is expanding his legal team by potentially adding high-profile attorney Brian Steel, known for defending Young Thug in the YSL RICO case. Combs faces federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, with allegations of using his celebrity status for coercion and intimidation over a decade. Jury selection for Combs's trial is scheduled for May 5, but his attorneys have requested a delay in the trial's start. ATLANTA - Sean "Diddy" Combs is looking to expand his legal team with a high-profile addition ahead of his upcoming federal trial. His legal team is seeking to add famed Georgia-based attorney Brian Steel, best known for representing rapper Young Thug in the ongoing YSL RICO case. What we know According to newly filed court documents, Steel has requested permission to practice in the Southern District of New York in order to join Combs's defense. Steel's potential involvement comes amid ongoing changes to Combs's legal team. Click to open this PDF in a new window. Sources told TMZ that the music mogul had previously been seeking to add a Black female attorney to his trial team, which currently includes Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos. Instead, Steel appears to have emerged as the favored candidate. Sources also say that veteran attorney Mark Geragos is expected to take on a significant role in the case, while Agnifilo and Teny Geragos will remain lead counsel. The backstory The legal team has seen some turnover in recent months; attorney Anthony Ricco exited the defense back in February. Hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is set to face trial on May 5 in Manhattan federal court on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. The 55-year-old has been held without bail since his arrest in September 2023, following a grand jury indictment. Prosecutors allege that Combs used his celebrity status to coerce women into commercial sex acts over a span of more than a decade. A superseding indictment filed earlier this month added two new charges, accusing Combs of compelling a woman, identified as "Victim-2," into prostitution between 2021 and 2024, and transporting her and others for similar purposes. The indictment also details allegations of violence and intimidation, including blackmail, arson, and physical assault, used to silence victims. One key piece of evidence expected at trial is a 2016 video purportedly showing Combs assaulting singer Cassie Ventura, his former girlfriend. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Dig deeper Brian Steel, a seasoned criminal defense attorney based in Atlanta, has built a reputation over more than three decades for representing high-profile clients in complex legal battles. His most notable case to date is the defense of Grammy-winning rapper Jeffery Williams, known professionally as Young Thug, in a sprawling racketeering trial that has become the longest in Georgia's history. WATCH THE YSL RICO TRIAL HERE Click to open this PDF in a new window. Steel's aggressive defense tactics came under scrutiny in June 2024 when he was held in contempt of court for refusing to disclose how he learned about a private meeting between the judge, prosecutors, and a key witness. The Georgia Supreme Court later reversed the contempt ruling, citing due process violations and affirming Steel's right to protect privileged information. In addition to his work with Young Thug, Steel has represented a range of clients, including former Glynn County District Attorney Jackie Johnson, who was indicted for her handling of the Ahmaud Arbery case. He also secured the early release of former NBA player Javaris Crittenton, who had served a decade in prison for a fatal shooting. What's next Steel's addition will come just weeks before trial proceedings are set to begin. Jury selection is scheduled for May 5, with opening statements set for the following week. However, Combs's attorneys have asked the court to delay the start of the trial by at least two weeks. The Source Federal court documents and TMZ are the source for this article, with previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting also used. This article has been updated to provide new details.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
You Won't Believe Why Young Thug Might Be Headed to Prison After All
Though it's only been five months since Young Thug was able to walk away a free man after his YSL RICO trial in Georgia concluded in November 2024, it appears he might actually have to serve some time behind bars—if prosecutors get there way. And once you find out why they're pushing for prison time, you'll more than likely be annoyed. According to Page Six, the 'Go Crazy' rapper is being accused of reposting a photo on X/Twitter of an investigator in the district attorney's office that was a part of his longstanding case with a caption that alleged that the person was 'the biggest liar in the DA's office.' Naturally, given the rapper's huge following, the post quickly went viral and drew ire from many of his fans. As a result, the investigator's personal details like her home address and the address of her parents were doxxed online and she began receiving threats. This also led to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to be roped into all the mess and she subsequently received death threats in numerous posts, including one that allegedly threatened assassination. It's important to note though that the rapper didn't make any direct threats to the investigator not Willis. Now however, in new court documents filed on Wednesday, prosecutors are pushing for a judge to revoke Young Thugs' probation and for him to go to prison for his actions. They're specifically pointing to the details surrounding the privacy of the particular investigator who's at the center of this entire ordeal as a large reason why. AP has more: Prosecutors say the investigator whose photo Young Thug reposted is currently a witness in a 'multi-defendant gang murder' case. The judge explicitly said during a hearing that the investigator was not to be shown on television while testifying, their filing says. A blogger posted the investigator's photo on social media with the caption, 'She doesn't want to be shown on screen? Well, here she is,' and Young Thug reposted that, prosecutors wrote. Per Willis, the rapper 'engaged in conduct that directly threatens the safety of witnesses and prosecutors, compromises ongoing legal proceedings, and warrants immediate revocation of probation.' The 'Best Friend' rapper has since pushed back on the prosecutorial team's claims, writing in a tweet later on Wednesday: 'I don't make treats to people I'm a good person, I would never condone anyone threatening anyone or definitely participate in threatening anyone. I'm all about peace and love.' As we previously told you, as a part of the rapper's plea deal, he received a sentence of 40 years in prison with commuted time served for five years and 15 years of probation with special conditions. As for the rest of the 20 years, those will also be commuted to time served if the rapper complies with all the aforementioned conditions. But if a judge sides with prosecutors, the rapper may just have to spend his time in a prison cell after all. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Prosecutors Want Young Thug's Probation Revoked for Reposting Murder Witness
Young Thug's freedom is gonna be short-lived if prosecutors get their way -- they want him locked up again for revealing a witness in a murder case on his social media. Fulton County prosecutors filed a motion Wednesday asking the judge to revoke Thug's probation for putting law enforcement in danger by reposting a blogger's image of a police investigator who was testifying in a gang-related murder. According to docs, the judge in that case ordered the media not to show the witness on TV, but the blogger defied that order ... posting a pic of the cop with the caption, "She doesn't want to be shown on screen? Well, here she is." On Tuesday, Thug "amplified" it by not only reposting the blogger, but in his own caption he named the investigator and called her the "biggest liar in the DA's office." Prosecutors say Thug's post went viral, getting more than 2 million views and thousands of comments and reposts. Some of the comments included threats that were made against the investigator and Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis. Thug's only been out of jail since last October, when he struck a plea deal in the YSL RICO case -- he pled guilty to criminal street gang activity, and was given 15 years' probation. Prosecutors say he's violated that probation with a "campaign of intimidation, harassment, and misinformation designed to undermine the legal process." D.A. Willis is asking the judge to revoke Thug's probation and lock him up immediately to send a message that witness intimidation ain't cool. Attorneys for Young Thug (legal name Jeffery Williams), Brian Steel and Keith Adams, said in a response to TMZ ... "Mr. Williams did not violate any term of probation and thus, the State's Motion to Revoke Probation must be dismissed at this time, with prejudice. "These comments on social media by unknown persons cannot be attributed to Mr. Williams in order to support a violation of his probationary sentence ... Williams can admit to all of the allegations alleged and still not have violated any term of his probationary sentence. The State's Motion to Revoke Probation is deficient." Steel and Adams are requesting on Thug's behalf that the motion be denied.
