Gunna breaks silence in shock open letter while rapper spends 29th birthday in jail after YSL and Young Thug indictment
RAPPER Gunna broke his silence with a statement on social media on Tuesday as he spends his 29th birthday in jail following his arrest on RICO charges back in May.
Gunna, real name Sergio Kitchens, is signed to Young Thug's YSL Records, which is facing accusations of being involved in alleged gang activity in the Atlanta area.
, Gunna proclaimed his innocence and claimed that he is being "falsely accused."
"2022 has been one of the best years of my life, despite this difficult situation," he said, adding that he had "the whole world pushing P," in reference to his hit track Pushin P, released in January.
"Growing up from where I come from in a marginalized neighborhood, I never dreamt my art would change my life and the lives of my loved ones," he continued, detailing the struggles he overcame throughout his life.
Gunna stated that while he currently does not have his freedom, he is innocent.
YSL ARRESTS
"The picture that is being painted of me is ugly and untrue. My fans know I love to celebrate life, I love my family, I love travel, I love music, I love my fans.
"I have all faith that God will grant me justice for the purity in my heart and the innocence of my actions."
GUNNA CHARGED
Gunna was charged with conspiracy to violate Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Organization Act as part of an investigation that has seen 28 other members of YSL also charged.
District Attorney Fani Willis said: “It does not matter what your notoriety is, what your fame is, if you come to Fulton County, Georgia, and you commit crimes, ... you are going to become a target and a focus of this district attorney’s office, and we are going to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
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The arrest came days after Young Thug, 30, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams was arrested at a rented mansion in Buckhead on May 9.
In the indictment, Williams is accused of theft by receiving a stolen handgun in 2013 and threatening to kill a mall employee after being barred from the premises in 2015.
He has also been accused of possessing methamphetamine, hydrocodone, and marijuana in 2017.
Prosecutors allege that the alleged gang members committed more than 100 crimes to advance their interests.
Those claims include appearing in videos with inflammatory song lyrics, posting images with gang symbols on social media, possessing drugs with the intent to distribute, aggravated assault, and murder.
Brian Steel, Young Thug's lawyer, said the rapper is innocent and vowed to vigorously defend him until it is proven.
His attorney told The Sun: "Jeffery Williams, who performs as “Young Thug, ” vehemently denies the allegations lodged against him in the Fulton County (Georgia) Indictment of May 9, 2022."
'KEEP PRAYING'
During Hot 97's Summer Jam, Young Thug shared a special message to fans and attendees.
"I just want to say thank you to all my friends and my family for coming out and supporting us," the rapper said in an audio message at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
"You know your support during this time means a lot to us."
He then directed fans to the n, which calls for federal and state legislation that limits the use of art as evidence in criminal trials.
"This isn’t just about me or YSL," said Young Thug, who was supposed to perform at the 2022 Summer Jam before his arrest.
"I always use my music as a form of artistic expression and now I see that Black artists and rappers don’t have that, you know, freedom. Everybody please sign the Protect Black Art petition and keep praying for us. I love you all."
The petition was launched by music executives Kevin Liles and Julie Greenwald and currently has over 32,000 signatures at the time of writing.
Back in May, the New York State Senate approved the Rap Music on Trial bill which, similar to the petition Young Thug shared, limits the use of song lyrics as evidence.
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Several artists, including Grammy winner Jay Z, have expressed support for the bill, which has been touted as the kind of legislation needed to ensure the protection of creative expression.
Gunna alluded to the petition in the caption of his Instagram statement, writing: "I was raised to fight fire with water, even tho my country’s amendments have failed me! PROTECT BLACK ART!"
