"He should just be a pastor at this point" — Young Thug fans react to terms of release stipulations, rapper being banned from Atlanta

By Amrita Das

Modified Nov 01, 2024 05:25 GMT

2021 Revolt Summit - Source: Getty — Internet reacts to terms of release conditioned on Young Thug. (Image via Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Almost a year after the YSL Rico trial began in November 2023, Jeffery Lamar Williams aka Young Thug is finally coming home after accepting a no-contest plea deal on Thursday, October 31. However, the court has laid down some conditions that the 33-year-old rapper must follow to avoid serving time in custody again, as per BBC.

Williams pleaded guilty to one count of gang charge, two counts of firearm charges, and three counts of drug charges. As part of the plea deal, he accepted the punishments for racketeering and other gang-related criminal accusations.

After being arrested in May 2022, Williams spent over 900 days in custody. On Thursday, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced the rapper to time served instead of having him serve in prison. He also received 15 years of probation, as reported by BBC.

According to the negotiations, Williams is banned from contacting his Young Slime Life (YSL) gang members or co-defendants. He is not allowed to make gang-related music or any work that promotes gang activities. Rather, Williams is required to hold four anti-gang and anti-gun concerts in Atlanta every year.

However, he has also been banned from Metro Atlanta for the first 10 years of his 15-year probation, except for special occasions, including graduations, weddings, medical emergencies of family members, and funerals.

Fans soon took to social media to react to the stipulations imposed on the rapper following his prison release. As DJ Akademiks listed the conditions on an Instagram post on Friday, November 1, one user commented Young Thug should rather serve as a pastor, given the nature of the negotiations.

Internet reacts to Thug's terms of prison release negotiations and being banned from Atlanta. (Image via Instagram/@akademiks)

Several people seemingly called out the stipulation banning Williams from Atlanta, his hometown, despite requiring him to perform there four times a year. One person noted Williams did not have any restrictions in crossing the country, so he could move out.

Some people jokingly remarked that Williams was no longer allowed to make gang-related music, which is the very foundation of his stage name, Young Thug. Another Instagram user pointed out that the compulsion to make anti-gang music would be taking away the rapper's free speech.

"I've learned from my mistakes" — Young Thug says in court

During the October 31 court hearing, Young Thug delivered a five-minute-long speech. He took accountability for his mistakes, apologizing to individuals affected by the YSL Rico case.

As seen during the live trial, the rapper told Judge Whitaker:

"I am a smart guy. I am a good guy. I really got a good heart."

Williams said he found himself in a lot of trouble for being "just nice or cool". However, he had learned that one cannot keep that up after attaining certain achievements, as it could impact him negatively. Young Thug added:

"I've learned from my mistakes."

Judge Whitaker advised Young Thug to try to be "more of the solution" rather than being the problem.

Edited by Divya Singh