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YSL Records

YSL Records (an initialism for Young Stoner Life Records) is an American record label based in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 2016 by the Atlanta-based rapper Young Thug.[1] The label is an imprint of 300 Entertainment.[2] As of 2026 current acts include Thug himself, Strick, T-Shyne, Yung Kayo, Tezzus, Diamond*, and 1300SAINT. Several contemporary artists,[3] including Drake, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, Lil Gotit, NAV, Travis Scott, and Slimelife Shawty have expressed allegiance to YSL, but are not contractually signed.

The label was embroiled in a major criminal trial from 2022–2024, with Young Thug, Gunna, and other YSL members arrested and charged with racketeering and various gang-related crimes in violation of Georgia's RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act. Authorities alleged that YSL Records is a street gang. In 2024, label head Young Thug was released on probation.

History

2016–2019

The label was announced on November 15, 2016, through a video Young Thug had posted on his Snapchat showcasing his new office.[4] The video also includes a speech by 300 Entertainment co-founder, Kevin Liles, praising the new label.[5] In 2017, the label announced its first signee, fellow Atlanta native Gunna who was also being courted by Thug's mentor and former label Gucci Mane & 1017 Brick Squad Records.[6] During a string of mixtape releases that year, the label would announce further signees to the label with YoungBoy Never Broke Again signing a 5-album joint venture deal with YSL and Atlantic Records after opting against signing with Birdman's Cash Money Records, Lil Duke would also join the label alongside Thug's sisters Dolly and HiDoraah.[7][8]

On August 15, 2018, Thug announced a mixtape featuring the label's signees, except YoungBoy, titled Slime Language, which he released on his 27th birthday on August 16.[9] On September 12, Lil Baby announced a mixtape with Gunna titled Drip Harder, which was released on October 5 with Baby's label Quality Control.[10]

On February 22, 2019, Gunna released his debut studio album Drip or Drown 2, follow the album's single "One Call", which was accompanied by a music video.[11] On June 14, Lil Keed released his debut studio album Long Live Mexico, which was supported by three singles "Oh My God", "Proud Of Me", and "Pull Up".[12][13]

2020–present

On February 28, 2020, Zaytoven released a mixtape with Lil Keed, Lil Gotit, and Lil Yachty titled A-Team.[14] In March, Gunna announced his second album Wunna. Its lead single Skybox was released on March 6, alongside a music video.[15][16] On March 16, Gunna stated on Twitter that Wunna is an acronym for: "Wealthy Unapologetic N***a Naturally Authentic".[17] On April 3, Young Thug and Gunna released the single "Quarantine Clean", produced by Turbo.[18] The following day, Gunna explained the album had experienced release issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[19] The Gunna and Young Thug collaboration was their first released song together since "Diamonds", which was released in December 2019.

On August 7, 2020, Lil Keed released his second studio album Trapped on Cleveland 3 through YSL Records.[20]

On December 18, 2020, YSL Records released "Take It to Trial", by Young Thug, Gunna and featuring Yak Gotti, the first single off the Slime Language 2 compilation, which followed on April 16, 2021.[21]

On January 7, 2022, Gunna released his third studio album DS4Ever, which served as the fourth and final installment in his Drip Season series.[22]

On May 9, 2022, members of YSL were arrested and charged with RICO-related charges stemming from a grand jury indictment filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Both Young Thug and Gunna were among the 28 associates charged and were arrested.[23][24]

On May 13, 2022, YSL artist Lil Keed died at the age of 24.[25]

On December 14, 2022, Gunna took an Alford plea and was released from prison.

Legal issues

From November 27, 2023 until December 3rd, 2024, a racketeering trial involved Young Thug and several associates of YSL. Prosecutors alleged that YSL, which they alleged stands for "Young Slime Life", functioned as a criminal street gang,[26][27] with label boss Young Thug as the leader of the gang.[28] The trial was the longest criminal trial in the state of Georgia.[29]

On December 14, 2022, Gunna pleaded guilty to a single charge of racketeering and testified that YSL was a criminal gang, as part of an Alford plea. He was sentenced to five years in prison, with one year commuted to time served, and the remainder of the sentence suspended on probation, including 500 hours of community service.[30] On December 17, rappers Slimelife Shawty and Lil Duke also pleaded guilty.[31]

On October 31, 2024, Young Thug was released from jail after he accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 40 years: 5 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and a backload of 20 years in prison if probation is violated.[32][33][34] Young Thug's 5 years in prison has been commuted to time served.[35][36][37] Young Thug's release and probation stipulations include: being banned from the Metro Atlanta area for 10 years, unable to make gang-related music, and performance of four annual anti-gang presentations/concerts for Atlanta, alongside having no contact with known gang members or co-defendants (other than Gunna and his biological brother, both of whom were among his co-defendants).[38][39]

Culture

Many popular rap artists own YSL chains, usually given to them by Young Thug. Lil Uzi Vert,[40] Drake,[41] Lil Baby,[42] Lil Gotit,[43] and YoungBoy Never Broke Again[7] all have YSL chains. The official YSL Records Instagram page created a large stir after announcing a project titled Slime Language, which ended up being a compilation album by YSL Records. A phrase commonly mentioned in songs by YSL affiliates is "SLATT" (Slime Love All The Time). The acronym was created by YSL Records founder Young Thug, and was first used back in 2013.[44] CEO, Young Thug, also launched the "SPIDER" clothing brand on December 27, 2019, which has been co-signed by YSL affiliates.[45]

Notable artists

Current

Former

Discography

Compilation albums

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

As lead artist

As featured artist

Other charted and certified songs

Artist releases

Studio albums

Extended plays

Compilation albums

Mixtapes

Studio albums

Extended plays

Compilation albums

Mixtapes

External links

References

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  2. 300 Entertainment 300ent.com^
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  4. Young Thug Is Launching His Own Record Label Complex, retrieved 2019-10-22^
  5. Young Thug Launches YSL records Xxlmag.com^
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  7. thugger signs NBA YoungBoy to YSL and gives him a chain HipHopOverload.com, 2017-09-08, retrieved 2019-10-22^
  8. YSL Records Artists, History, Releases rapintel, March 21, 2019, retrieved March 20, 2020^
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  41. Drake Gives Young Thug Diamond-Studded YSL Chain Hotnewhiphop.com^
  42. Lil Baby Talks Quality Control And Life After Rap Vibe.com, 21 May 2018^
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  45. Young Thug Launches Clothing Brand SPIDER thefader.com, December 26, 2019^
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