Jeffery Lamar Williams, professionally known as Young Thug, is set to go to trial on Monday. The 31-year-old Atlanta rapper, along with fellow rapper Sergio Kitchens, known professionally as Gunna, and dozens of others, stand accused of helping found a violent street gang, known as Young Slime Life, or YSL.
In May, authorities arrested and charged Williams with conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act and participating in a criminal street gang. The 88-page indictment, filed in Fulton County, Georgia, includes references to lyrics found in Williams’ music. The indictment also includes a list of 181 acts, dating back to 2013.
The high-profile arrest of Williams, who now is facing eight separate charges, is part of a growing trend of criminalizing hip hop artists under RICO acts, a measure intended to stop organized crime, like the mafia. Under these laws, the authorities are able to accuse multiple people in someone’s circle, from a rapper, to their entourage, and other members of their crew, of gang-related activity if at least one person is connected to criminal activity.
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