Jeffery Lamar Williams, known professionally as Young Thug, was born on August 16, 1991, in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the tenth of eleven children and grew up in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood of Atlanta. Williams began his music career in 2011, releasing a series of independent mixtapes titled "I Came from Nothing". These early projects caught the attention of fellow Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane, who signed him to his 1017 Brick Squad Records label in 2013.
Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame
In 2013, Young Thug released his fourth mixtape, "1017 Thug," under Gucci Mane's label, which received critical acclaim for its unique style. He gained mainstream recognition in 2014 with his singles "Stoner" and "Danny Glover," as well as guest appearances on several popular tracks, including Rich Gang's "Lifestyle" and T.I.'s "About the Money". That same year, he signed with 300 Entertainment. Throughout 2015 and 2016, he released a string of successful commercial mixtapes, including "Barter 6," the "Slime Season" series, and "Jeffery," further solidifying his place in the hip-hop scene.
YSL Records and Musical Style
In 2016, Young Thug founded his own record label, Young Stoner Life (YSL) Records, as an imprint of 300 Entertainment. The label has become a home for a new generation of Atlanta artists, including Gunna and Lil Keed. Young Thug is known for his eccentric vocal style, which often blurs the lines between rapping and singing, and his androgynous fashion sense. He is considered a pioneer of the "mumble rap" subgenre and a significant influence on modern hip-hop.
Discography and Success
Young Thug has released several successful projects throughout his career. His debut studio album, "So Much Fun," was released in 2019 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It included the hit singles "The London" featuring J. Cole and Travis Scott, and "Hot" featuring Gunna. He has achieved three number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 as a featured artist: "Havana" with Camila Cabello, "Franchise" with Travis Scott and M.I.A., and "Way 2 Sexy" with Drake and Future. His second studio album, "Punk," was released in 2021, followed by "Business Is Business" in 2023, which was released while he was incarcerated.
Legal Issues
In May 2022, Young Thug and 27 other individuals associated with YSL were arrested and indicted on charges of violating Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Prosecutors alleged that YSL operated as a criminal street gang. The highly publicized trial began in November 2023 and became the longest in Georgia's history. In October 2024, Young Thug pleaded guilty to several charges in a non-negotiated deal and was sentenced to probation.