Young Thug and Gunna updates LIVE: Tragedy hits YSL as Lil Keed dies aged 24 only days after slamming rappers’ arrests
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MEMBER of the YSL record label founded by Young Thug, Lil Keed, has died at the age of 24, per social media posts from his brother.
Via Instagram, Lil Keed's brother, Lil Gotit, confirmed the death, writing: "Can't believe I seened u die today bro I did all my cries I know what u want me to do and that's go hard for Mama Daddy Our Brothers Naychur and Whiteboy."
Lil Keed allegedly posted in defense of the YSL label following the RICO indictment filed in Fulton County against a number of the label's rappers, including founder Young Thug, alleging ties to the Young Slime Life criminal gang.
The YSL label is "not a gang, not a criminal organization, not a mob," according to Lil Keed's post, but rather a "family, a label, a way of life."
The indictment charges Young Thug, rapper Gunna, and 26 others with racketeering, with charges specifically including conspiring to violate the RICO Act and participation in criminal street gang activity.
Read our Young Thug live blog for the very latest news and updates…
Does Young Thug have children?
Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, has fathered six children over the years, with four different women.
In 2016, the rapper opened up about fatherhood during an interview with , revealing that it has been the hardest thing he has ever had to do.
“They ain't easy. It be like, ‘If I could take this back? Yes, what the f*** was I thinking!’" he told the media outlet.
Young Thug previous arrests, continued
By the time he was seventeen, he became a father.
It was at this age he realised his talent for rapping, and decided to make changes in his lifestyle to fulfil his potential and break away from a life of poverty.
Young Thug previous arrests
Young Thug grew up in the midst of crime and violence.
During school, Young Thug was expelled after breaking his teacher’s arm and was put into juvenile detention for four years.
It is alleged his involvement in violence continued throughout his teenage years, as he developed bad habits including gambling and drug use.
What crimes are covered by the RICO act?
Racketeering violations are regarded as "predicate offenses", referring to a crime committed which is a component of a larger crime.
- Arson
- Bribery
- Counterfeiting
- Distribution of a controlled substance
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Fraud
- Gambling
- Homicide
- Kidnapping
- Mail fraud
- Money laundering
- Murder
- Murder-for-hire
- Robbery
- Terrorism
- Wire fraud
- Witness tampering
What constitutes breaking RICO laws?
To convict a defendant accused of violating RICO laws, the government must prove a number of things beyond a reasonable doubt.
- That a criminal enterprise existed
- That the actions of the group affected interstate business
- That the defendant was associated with or employed by the organization
- That the accused was involved in a pattern of racketeering activity
- That the defendant was party to the operations conducted by the enterprise during at least two acts throughout the sequence of racketeering activity
What are RICO charges?
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a United States federal law passed by Congress in 1970.
The legislation, signed by President Richard Nixon, explicitly aimed to combat organized crime across the United States.
It allows criminals to be hit with extended penalties and a civil cause of action for their roles in criminal organisation.
It specifically focuses on racketeering and targets kingpins by allowing them to be tried for crimes that they ordered or assisted in.
Before the RICO Act, a person could be absolved from prosecution if they did not personally commit the crime.
Why was Gunna indicted in this case? continued
While all 28 defendants were charged with conspiracy to violate RICO, Gunna and Thug's fellow defendants face additional charges including armed robbery, aggravated assault, drugs, and weapons charges.
The indictment also claims that Gunna was wearing chains that read “YSL” and “Slatt” in the video for his Lil Keed collaboration “Fox 5.”
Prosecutors argued that his wardrobe in the video and the line “we got ten-hundred round choppers” amount to “an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.”
Why was Gunna indicted in this case?
On May 9, 2022, Young Thug was arrested in Atlanta.
Gunna faces charges due to his affiliation with Young Thug's group Young Slime Life aka "YSL."
The indictment defines YSL as a “criminal street gang” founded in 2012 with an affiliation with the Bloods - a primarily African-American street gang founded in Los Angeles, California.
Who is Gunna?
Gunna is the stage name for American rapper Sergio Giavanni Kitchens.
He is signed to Young Thug's record label YSL Records, as well as 300 Entertainment and Atlantic Records.
He first raised in the ranks after featuring on Young Thug's "Floyd Mayweather," alongside Gucci Mane and Travis Scott.
Who else was indicted in the case? continued
Gunna, Yak Gotti, PeeWee Roscoe, and Young Thug’s brother Unfoonk were also indicted.
Young Thug is being held in Fulton County Jail.
Who else was indicted in the case?
The rapper’s arrest is the result of a larger grand jury indictment that names 28 members and associates of his label YSL Records.
The 56-count indictment cites their lyrics as conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
It runs a whopping 88 pages long, according to The .
When is Young Thug set to appear in court?
Young Thug is set to appear in court today at 11.30 ET.
Who is Young Thug?
Young Thug is an American rapper best known for the songs Go Crazy, Solid, and Bubbly.
Young Thug's real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams.
He was born in 1991 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Thug was arrested yesterday with one count of attempted murder and one count of participating in criminal street gang activity.
Why was Young Thug arrested?
Young Thug was charged on Monday with a 56-count indictment in Georgia, reports say.
A group of 28 members and associates of group Young Slime Life is facing charges that include conspiring to violate the RICO Act, murder, armed robbery, and participation in criminal street gang activity.
Young Thug, for his part, has been accused of renting a 2014 Infiniti Q50 sedan from Hertz that was used in the commission of a murder rival gang member, Donovan Thomas Jr, in 2015, in addition to the aforementioned charges.