BRIDGEVIEW – Young Thug, an Atlanta rapper, has returned to the stage for the first time since his release from custody late last year. He was indicted on gang and racketeering charges in one of the most high-profile RICO cases in recent years.
Young Thug kicked off his highly anticipated headlining set at the Summer Smash in Bridgeview, Illinois, on Sunday, his first public performance since March 2022.
Rappers Travis Scott, Ken Carson, and T.I. joined him onstage at the festival.
On May 9, 2022, the rapper was indicted and detained. Additional charges were added in a subsequent indictment in August. The second indictment charged Young Thug and 27 others with conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, also known as RICO. The rapper was also accused of involvement in a criminal street gang, as well as drug and gun charges.
He was released from jail in October 2024 after pleading guilty to gang, drug, and gun charges; however, if he violates the terms of his sentence, he may be returned to prison.
Young Thug, real name Jeffery Lamar Williams, is known for his eccentric style, mumble rap, and squeaky, high-pitched vocals. He rose to prominence with breakout hits like “Stoner” and “Best Friend.” He also co-wrote the hit “This is America” with Childish Gambino, which made history as the first hip-hop song to win the Song of the Year Grammy in 2019.
Young Thug’s return to the stage began with Sunday’s Summer Smash performance; he is also scheduled to perform at the Belgian festival Les Ardentes and Switzerland’s Openair Frauenfeld next month. He is also scheduled to attend ComplexCon in Las Vegas in October.
