Kanye West and Drake celebrate as Young Thug freed from prison
On October 30th, Young Thug found out that he would finally be released from police custody after two years behind bars. The Atlanta rapper who was involved in a RICO trial for alleged racketeering was the face of Georgia’s longest-running case of all time, and to many, it seemed as if it was never going to end.
The YSL emcee, who was one of the last to accept a plea deal, had been in custody for over two years and faced multiple setbacks. From prison stabbings to the removal of a presiding judge, the trial was so drawn out it took ten months just to select a jury.
That said, following Judge Paige Whittaker’s decision to give the artist a plea deal, it wasn’t just the Jeffrey creator’s fans who were happy but the entirety of hip-hop. The strung-out case hindered his music and was a drain on Atlanta rap.
As such, following his release, many of his peers, including Kanye West and Drake, celebrated publicly. Although Young Thug will be on probation for 15 years, his mere freedom is a gift to many.
As the culture welcomed him home with open arms Kanye West initiated the celebrations and posted the news to his Instagram story. Canadian superstar Drake then followed by sharing a screenshot of him playing his and Thug’s song ‘Parade on Cleveland.’
One of the happiest people to see the 33-year-old musician free was his girlfriend, Mariah The Scientist, who in a statement to Atlanta TV station WSB-TV wrote, “Thank you God. Thank you God. This is more than what we prayed for. We are so grateful, this is the greatest opportunity we’ve ever been presented and we are so grateful. Thank you Judge Paige Whitaker for giving us the opportunity to move forward with our life.”
She added, “Thank you God. Thank you attorneys Brian Steel and Keith Adams and every attorney working on this case, tireless. THANK YOU! I cannot say it enough, I cannot repay you for this. You have changed our lives, Jeffrey’s life and mine. Thank you to everyone who has been there for us, every fan who believed in us and prayed for us.”
A slew of other notable hip-hop celebrities began to publicly revel in delight and posts were then made by Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Metro Boomin, Sexyy Red, T.I., Quavo, Kid Cudi, Jay Electronica, Bun B, Mustard and even NBA star James Harden.
Posting a picture of the both of them in a car, Travis Scott told fans, “My brudda otw home,” while Minaj wrote, “Welcome home @thuggerthugger1. Don’t leave again, the ppl need you. The game missed you. So happy for you, your children, family & fans.”
T.I., who took Young Thug under his wing early in his career when he was an unknown Atlanta rapper, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Welcome Home lil bruddah It’s been too long… Time to get back to it!!! #KingJeffrey [salute emojis] @youngthug.”