Jeffery Lamar Williams, better known as Young Thug, is a highly influential American rapper renowned for his unique vocal style and fashion sense. He is considered a pioneer of mumble rap and a leading figure in modern hip hop and trap music. His career began in 2011 with a series of mixtapes, and he gained significant recognition after signing with Gucci Mane's label, 1017 Records, in 2013. His debut mixtape with the label, "1017 Thug," further solidified his place in the music industry.
On August 16, 1991, Jeffery Lamar Williams, who would later be known as Young Thug, was born.
In 2010, Young Thug embarked on his musical journey, making his debut as a guest artist on rapper TruRoyal's track "She Can Go." This marked his initial foray into the world of music and set the stage for his future endeavors.
In 2011, Young Thug began his musical career, releasing a series of mixtapes that showcased his unique style and garnered attention within the industry.
Young Thug continued to release installments of his mixtape series, "I Came from Nothing," in 2011 and 2012.
Young Thug continued to release installments of his mixtape series, "I Came from Nothing," in 2011 and 2012.
In July 2013, Young Thug's rising prominence in the hip-hop scene was further acknowledged when he was featured on Complex's list of "25 New Rappers to Watch Out For." This recognition highlighted his growing influence and the anticipation surrounding his future releases.
In October 2013, Young Thug released his debut single "Stoner," which quickly gained traction and inspired numerous unofficial remixes from fellow rappers. Notably, he expressed his disapproval of these remixes, stating his preference for original work.
In October 2013, Young Thug collaborated with Metro Boomin on several tracks for the album "19 & Boomin," including "Some More." This marked the beginning of his creative partnership with engineer Alex Tumay, who would play a significant role in his subsequent releases.
In December 2013, Young Thug delivered a memorable performance at the Fool's Gold Day Off show in Miami, sharing the stage with notable artists such as Danny Brown, Trick Daddy, and Travis Scott. This performance further showcased his stage presence and solidified his reputation as a captivating live performer.
Young Thug's mixtape "1017 Thug" continued to garner significant attention in 2013, earning praise from prominent music publications. FACT named it the best mixtape of the year, Rolling Stone included it in their top 10 mixtapes of the year, and The Guardian recognized it among the five best mixtapes of the year. The song "Picacho" from the mixtape gained particular recognition and was featured on several year-end lists.
In 2013, Young Thug's talent caught the attention of established Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane, who signed him to his label, 1017 Brick Squad Records, an imprint under Asylum/Atlantic Records. Under this new partnership, Young Thug released his fourth mixtape, "1017 Thug," which garnered positive reviews from music critics who praised its originality and solidified his place as an emerging artist to watch.
In 2013, Young Thug's song "Danny Glover" was released, later becoming a fan favorite and officially released under a new title in 2014.
A pivotal moment in Young Thug's career arrived in 2013 when he signed with fellow Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane's 1017 Records. This partnership brought him further recognition and solidified his presence in the hip-hop scene.
In January 2014, it was revealed that Young Thug had received a lucrative offer of $8.5 million to join Future's Freebandz record label, highlighting his increasing value and desirability within the music industry.
On March 11, 2014, Young Thug's debut single "Stoner" was officially sent to rhythmic contemporary radio stations across the United States by Asylum and Atlantic Records. This marked a significant step in his career, expanding his reach to a wider audience through mainstream radio airplay.
In March 2014, Young Thug's association with Cash Money Records and its CEO, Birdman, sparked speculation about his potential signing to the label. However, the label's publicist later denied these rumors, clarifying his contractual status.
In March 2014, Young Thug's growing recognition led to a collaboration with Kanye West, who expressed admiration for his musical talent and rapid songwriting abilities.
On March 24, 2014, Young Thug announced that his highly anticipated debut album would be titled "Carter 6." The title paid homage to his musical idol, Lil Wayne, and his influential "Tha Carter" album series, signifying Young Thug's ambition and artistic aspirations.
On March 28, 2014, Ronald "Caveman" Rosario, Director of Urban Music at 1017 Distribution, clarified Young Thug's label affiliation. He confirmed that Young Thug had signed a management deal with Birdman's Rich Gang but was still signed to 1017 Brick Squad, putting an end to speculation about his signing to Cash Money Records.
In April 2014, Young Thug released the 808 Mafia-produced track "Eww," which quickly garnered attention and critical acclaim. XXL magazine recognized it as one of the top five songs of the week. Plans for a remix featuring Lil Wayne and Drake never materialized.
On June 17, 2014, Young Thug officially signed with 300 Entertainment, a label owned by Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen.
July 1, 2014, marked the official release of Young Thug's song "Danny Glover," re-titled "2 Bitches," under Asylum and Atlantic Records. The same day, Mass Appeal Records released "Old English," featuring Young Thug alongside ASAP Ferg and Freddie Gibbs, as part of their compilation album.
On October 16, 2014, Young Thug was featured on "Take Kare" with Lil Wayne, the first single from Cash Money Records' Rich Gang 2 compilation.
On December 4, 2014, Rolling Stone featured Young Thug, calling him the "most exciting new voice of hip-hop" and "hip-hop's new crown prince."
Young Thug's breakthrough year arrived in 2014 when he gained widespread recognition for hit singles like "Stoner" and "Danny Glover." His collaborations with prominent artists like T.I. and Tyga further amplified his presence in the music industry.
Following Lil Wayne's disapproval of his tribute album title, Young Thug renamed his debut album to "Barter 6" from "Carter 6" and announced it would be a mixtape instead.
In April 2015, Young Thug got engaged to Jerrika Karlae.
Young Thug was among those sued in April 2015 by a Lil Wayne tour bus driver after the bus was fired upon by members of the Bloods street gang.
On April 18, 2015, Young Thug announced "Hy!£UN35" (pronounced "HiTunes") as the title of his official debut album.
Amidst confusion, Young Thug clarified in May 2015 that he manages himself and is solely signed to Atlantic, although he maintains a strong friendship with Birdman. He also revealed plans to release a mixtape titled "Tha Carter V."
In late June 2015, Young Thug revealed discussions with Kanye West about a collaborative album. West, impressed by Thug's unreleased music, likened him to Bob Marley.
In July 2015, 300 Entertainment released "Pacifier," a promotional single for Young Thug's debut album "HiTunes," produced by Mike Will Made-It, notable for its experimental vocal style.
In 2015, Young Thug continued to build on his momentum, releasing a series of mixtapes, including "Barter 6" and installments in his "Slime Season" series, which were met with critical acclaim, further solidifying his reputation for innovation and originality.
Young Thug released the mixtape "I'm Up" on February 4, 2016.
On March 26, 2016, Young Thug released "Slime Season 3," the final installment of the series, marking the end of a phase characterized by leaked music.
In April 2016, a Texas production company filed a lawsuit against Young Thug after he didn't perform at a scheduled concert.
Young Thug toured the United States in May 2016 for his Hi-Tunes tour, featuring artists Dae Dae, TM88, and Rich The Kid.
On July 9, 2016, Young Thug announced the upcoming release of his self-titled mixtape, "Jeffery."
On August 16, 2016, Young Thug temporarily changed his name to Jeffery to coincide with the release of his mixtape "Jeffery." The album artwork, featuring Young Thug in an androgynous dress by Alessandro Trincone, went viral and sparked diverse reactions.
Young Thug bought his first home in September 2016 after the release of his mixtape "Jeffery."
In November 2016, Young Thug established his own record label imprint, YSL Records.
Young Thug joined the #fightpovertyagain campaign in December 2016.
Throughout 2016, Young Thug maintained his successful trajectory with the release of more commercial mixtapes, including "I'm Up," "Slime Season 3," and "Jeffery," showcasing his prolific work ethic and ability to consistently deliver captivating music.
In 2016, Young Thug appeared on Kanye West's album "The Life of Pablo," and West hinted at releasing further collaborations on Tidal.
A lawsuit was filed against Young Thug in January 2017 after he failed to appear at a concert at Sahlen's Stadium. He had signed a $55,000 contract for the performance.
Young Thug was featured on two songs on Drake's commercial mixtape "More Life": "Sacrifices" with 2 Chainz and "Ice Melts." He also collaborated with Calvin Harris, Ariana Grande, and Pharrell Williams on the song "Heatstroke."
In April 2017, gun and drug charges against Young Thug were dropped following a raid on his Sandy Springs, Georgia home. However, in the same month, it was reported that Young Thug was being sued by Heritage Select Homes for owing nearly $2.2 million in house payments.
Young Thug announced his commercial mixtape "Beautiful Thugger Girls" in April 2017, originally titled "E.B.B.T.G.", with Drake as executive producer.
Young Thug was cleared of battery charges in April 2017 after allegedly slapping a woman outside a nightclub the previous month.
On June 16, 2017, Young Thug released the mixtape "Beautiful Thugger Girls."
On June 29, 2017, Young Thug donated all the proceeds from his sold-out concert to Planned Parenthood.
September 2017 saw the release of "Young Martha," a collaborative EP by Young Thug and DJ Carnage.
Young Thug was arrested in Brookhaven, Georgia, on September 24, 2017, on multiple charges, including drug possession and possession of a firearm.
Young Thug and Future released their collaborative mixtape, "Super Slimey," in October 2017, featuring solo tracks and collaborations, with guest vocals from Offset.
In 2017, Young Thug achieved a significant milestone with his guest appearance on Camila Cabello's global hit "Havana," which soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking his first number-one single.
Young Thug rebranded himself as "SEX" in February 2018.
Young Thug released the EP "Hear No Evil" in April 2018.
Young Thug co-wrote and provided background vocals for Childish Gambino's "This Is America," which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on May 19, 2018.
In August 2018, Young Thug released "Slime Language", another compilation album.
On September 7, 2018, Young Thug was hit with multiple charges related to possession and intent to distribute meth, hydrocodone, and marijuana. He was also charged with possession of amphetamine, alprazolam, codeine, and a firearm.
In 2018, Young Thug achieved a significant milestone by winning a Grammy Award for Song of the Year for his contributions to Childish Gambino's impactful anthem "This Is America." That same year, he released the compilation album "Slime Language" with his record label, YSL Records, showcasing his collaborative spirit and support for emerging artists.
Young Thug released the single "The London," featuring J. Cole and Travis Scott, on May 23, 2019, and announced his debut studio album, initially titled "Gold Mouf Dog."
Young Thug announced on July 19, 2019, that his debut album's title was changed to "So Much Fun."
On August 10, 2019, Young Thug unveiled the release date and cover art for "So Much Fun."
Coinciding with his 28th birthday, Young Thug released his debut studio album, "So Much Fun," on August 16, 2019, featuring guest appearances from various artists. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
Young Thug and Gunna appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on October 20, 2019.
On October 31, 2019, a remix of "Hot" featuring Gunna and Travis Scott was released as the second single from "So Much Fun."
The deluxe edition of "So Much Fun" was released on December 20, 2019, including additional guest appearances from Gunna and Travis Scott and the "Hot" remix.
In 2019, Young Thug's debut studio album, "So Much Fun," debuted at the top of the US Billboard 200 chart, solidifying his status as a chart-topping artist. The album featured hit singles like "The London" and "Hot," which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
On a concert livestream in April 2020, Young Thug revealed that he had recently experienced a near-death experience.
On April 29, 2020, Young Thug and Chris Brown announced their upcoming mixtape "Slime & B."
On May 5, 2020, Young Thug and Chris Brown released their collaborative mixtape, "Slime & B." The mixtape featured guest appearances from various artists, including Major Nine, Gunna, and Future.
In December 2020, Young Thug and his fiance Jerrika Karlae broke up.
In 2020, Young Thug's collaborative single with Chris Brown, "Go Crazy," from their joint mixtape "Slime & B," reached the top three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his first top-ten single as a lead artist. Additionally, his guest appearance on Travis Scott's hit single "Franchise," alongside M.I.A., further solidified his chart dominance.
On April 16, 2021, Young Thug, Gunna, and YSL Records released their second compilation album, "Slime Language 2." The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
In July 2021, Young Thug announced his second studio album, "Punk," would be released on October 15, 2021.
On August 20, 2021, Young Thug released "Tick Tock" as the intended lead single from his album "Punk."
In September 2021, Young Thug was featured alongside Future on Drake's single "Way 2 Sexy." The song became Young Thug's third number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
Young Thug released his album "Punk" on October 15, 2021.
In November 2021, Young Thug signed a global publishing deal with Kobalt Music Group.
Young Thug's success on the charts continued in 2021 with his guest appearance on Drake's "Way 2 Sexy," which also featured Future, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100. In October 2021, he released his second studio album, "Punk," further solidifying his position as a major force in the music industry.
In 2021, Young Thug began dating Atlanta singer Mariah the Scientist.
On May 9, 2022, Young Thug was arrested and charged with gang-related charges in Atlanta, Georgia.
In May 2022, Young Thug was arrested and charged with gang-related charges.
Since May 2022, Young Thug has faced serious legal challenges, including charges related to the violation of the Georgia RICO Act and allegations of illegal substance trafficking and firearm possession. As a result, he has been held without bail in the Fulton County Jail, facing a total of 56 charges. Despite multiple attempts to secure his release, he remains incarcerated while awaiting trial.
In June 2023, while facing legal issues, Young Thug released his third studio album, "Business Is Business." The album's release during his incarceration reflects his dedication to his music career despite the circumstances.
On June 23, 2023, Young Thug's third studio album, "Business is Business," was released. This marked Thug's first album release since his May 2022 arrest.
Young Thug's state RICO criminal trial began on November 27, 2023.
Young Thug's RICO trial was delayed until January 2024 on December 12, 2023.
Young Thug's RICO trial resumed on January 2, 2024.
Young Thug's RICO trial was delayed until January 2024 after one of his co-defendants was stabbed in jail.