The Pop Corporation

Obviously, the story surrounding Young Thug’s RICO charges in the US is incredibly serious and very complex. If you’re looking for a serious, considered piece about this whole affair, then you should look somewhere else because, frankly, if we even hint at a sober thought, we’re too emotional and too bias and will fly off the handle.

So instead, let’s watch a square-ass judge reading out the lyrics to the greatest rapper of a generation and try and not cry at the heaviness of the whole thing.

Judge Ural Glanville’s reading of Thugger’s lyrics has both gone viral AND is a cause for concern. Reciting ‘Slime Shit’ before Thug’s upcoming trial, there’s been as much mirth has there has been concern.

The judge, deadpan, read out: “Hey, killing 12 shit, hey, fuck a jail shit; Hey, cooking white brick” and “I got a pistol on my hip – you prayin’ that you live – I’m prayin’ that I hit.” Of course, idiotically, the judge reads out lyrics that aren’t all by Thugger himself, with the latter said by Yak Gotti. No matter for the justice system though, eh?

Young Thug, along with 27 other people (including Gunna) were arrested on RICO charges, which to the uninitiated is either ‘gang related’ or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (hence the name). They were arrested as a collective, known as YSL, and both Thugger and Gunna have maintained their innocence throughout. Gunna has been released after renegotiating his plea, and Young Thug has seen his bail denied three times.

Gunna’s legal team have pointed out how problematic it is to use an artist’s lyrics against them: “These lyrics are an artist’s creative expression, and not a literal recounting of facts and circumstances. Under the state’s theory, any artist with a song referencing violence could find [themselves] the victim of a RICO indictment.”

Funny how it’s always rappers who get pulled up on such things, while country singers can shoot a man in Reno just to watch him die, and no-one parts an arsecheek. Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis doesn’t agree, saying: “If you decide to admit your crimes over a beat, I’m gonna use it – don’t confess to crimes on rap lyrics if you do not want them used – or, at least, get out of my county.”

Young Thug has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, with his attorney Brian Steel telling ABC News, “Mr. Williams has committed no crime whatsoever. We will fight this case ethically, legally and zealously. Mr. Williams will be cleared.”

Dreadful stuff. The trial started this week. Let us see if this sets a dangerous precedence for artists relaying how hard it is to live and survive on the frontline of the United States.

Let’s listen to how it should be done. #FREETHUGGER