Akon has shared his insight into Young Thug and Gunna‘s ongoing legal issues, including what he believes their music says about them.
In a recent interview with VLAD TV, the “Locked Up” hitmaker turned the conversation to the 56-count YSL RICO indictment which saw Thug and Gunna and 26 others arrested in May.
In addition to being a huge topic of conversation in the Hip Hop community, the case has gotten national exposure due to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ determination to use rap lyrics as evidence in the case.
Akon, however, believes the lyrics paint artists like Young Thug and Gunna in a much different light from the men they are in their day-to-day lives.
“It’s like most of it is being done to impress they peers,” Akon said. “Cuz, I know most of them! They the most humble, good hearted good people. But when you listen to the music, you would think they were serial killers.”
Following the August arrest of 26 members of the Drug Rich Gang, who prosecutors believe are behind a string of high-profile home invasions and other violent crimes in Atlanta, Willis defended the use of rap lyrics as criminal evidence.
Investigators used lyrics, music videos and social media posts to build the RICO case link 25 members of the group to the 220-page indictment.
“I think if you decide to admit your crimes over a beat, I’m gonna use it,” she said. “You do not get to commit crimes in my county and then decide to brag on it, which you do that for a form of intimidation and to further the gang, and not be held responsible.”
She added: “I’m going to continue to do that, people can continue to be angry about it. I have some legal advice: don’t confess to crimes on rap lyrics if you do not want them used — or at least get out of my county.”
Gunna and Young Thug have been in custody at the Fulton County Jail since their arrests, despite multiple bond requests on both parts.
Despite encouraging the two younger artists to continue fighting the case, another clip from the interview found Akon questioning why they’ve been denied the ability to return to their homes as they await trial.
“That mean they got a lot more than you think they got,” Akon offered. “Cuz I don’t care what state you go to: if they got real evidence, they not letting you go. Cuz I mean, they not gonna embarrass themselves: these are high profile influencers.
“People’s careers would be fucked if they made the wrong decision,” he added. “Believe me, these kids got the power to fight back. So they have to have something to not give them bond. It’s something there.”
To date, Gunna (real Sergio Kitchens) has been denied bond three times. On October 17, his attorney Steve Sadow filed a fourth motion to secure bond, stating that the state has “failed to show adequate proof” that his client would be prone to “intimidating witnesses” if released.
Young Thug’s third and most recent attempt to secure release was denied just one week after it was revealed that the “Go Crazy” rapper had been hit with additional charges in connection with the RICO case.
Willis recently filed a 10-page motion asking for a two-month delay in the trial. According to Fox 5 Atlanta, the DA made the request due to more than a quarter of those indicted not yet having legal representation.
The trial is due to begin on January 9, 2023, but Willis would like it postponed until March 27 to allow all defendants to get a lawyer.
“A continuance to the final week in March would protect the speedy trial rights of those who have asserted those rights, while also ensuring that the additional eight defendants have properly prepared appointed counsel,” Willis said in her motion.
Elsewhere in the 10-page document, the DA requested the defendants all be tried together since they allegedly took part in the same conspiracy, and similar evidence is expected to be presented in each trial.
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