Leaked collect calls between Young Thug and his affiliates began surfacing online following his incarceration from the highly publicized RICO case. During these conversations, Thug shared unfiltered thoughts with his confidant 21 Savage and his longtime girlfriend, Mariah the Scientist.
The recordings revealed a side of Thug that contradicted his street persona as one of Atlanta’s most influential rappers. In the calls, he opened about strained relationships with his former right-hand man Gunna, frustrations with close collaborator Future prioritizing women over family, and his take on the politics shaping Atlanta’s rap scene — including figures like Ralo, YFN Lucci, and other regional heavyweights. To many, the calls painted Thug as emotional, envious, and divisive — a far cry from the image he built in the streets.
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— Certified Hoodie Thief 🏁 (@KryssyLaReina) September 4, 2025
Seeking to address these misconceptions, the Atlanta multi-hyphenate sat down with Big Bank, host of Perspective with Bank, for a three-hour conversation. The candid discussion touched on Thug’s upbringing, his definition of brotherhood, and the loyalty he expects from those closest to him.
Childhood and Family Struggles
Thug revealed that his longing for love from his entourage stemmed from feelings of neglect in childhood. Growing up as one of eleven siblings in the projects, space and resources were scarce. Relatives rarely welcomed him and his siblings for visits. To make matters worse, Thug recalled feeling deeply hurt when his aunt implied that bringing him and his siblings over would “infest” her home with roaches. That moment, he said, marked the beginning of his lifelong search for love outside the family unit.
Tragedy struck again when Thug’s older brother was killed after a dice game. Having won about $9,000, his brother was warned that others wanted to reclaim the money by force. Determined to protect his reputation, he returned to confront them, which led to a shootout where he died in Thug’s arms. Beyond the heartbreak, Thug remembered that his brother had promised him $100 to celebrate his birthday — a promise that went unfulfilled until this day.
These painful experiences drove Thug to channel his energy into music, determined to build both happiness and a crew that could share in his success.
Rise in Atlanta’s Rap Scene
Over the past decade, Young Thug carved out a legacy as one of Atlanta’s hottest acts. From his Slime Season mixtape series to the Rich Gang collaboration with the late Rich Homie Quan, to his Birdman-co-signed debut Barter 6, Thug consistently dominated the underground scene. His music became a way to fill the void left by his troubled childhood.
Building YSL and Gunna’s Rise
In his “second act,” Thug founded YSL Records, the label that helped launch Gunna into stardom. While other artists were signed, Gunna emerged as the most commercially successful and marketable, rivaling Thug’s own popularity.
During the interview, Thug expressed frustration over Gunna’s perceived betrayal. He claimed responsibility for shaping Gunna’s career — from curating his image, to arranging collaborations with stars like Travis Scott and Gucci Mane. Thug even recounted buying Gunna his first apartment, contributing to a new home for his parents, bailing him out financially, and giving him a lucrative 50/50 record deal — yet never once taking a dollar in return.
The Rift: Gunna’s Plea Deal
The rift stems from the Alford Plea Gunna signed with Cobb County Corrections, acknowledging that YSL was a gang-affiliated organization and implicating others in criminal activity. This directly undermined Thug’s legal defense, which argued YSL was solely a record label. With Gunna viewed by prosecutors as YSL’s second-in-command, his plea deal intensified the RICO case and pressured other members into following suit.
Loyalty, Betrayal, and the Street Code
Toward the end of the conversation, Big Bank asked why Thug struggles to move on, given that his lawyer Brian Steele has helped secure his freedom. Thug explained that Gunna’s plea could have left him imprisoned for life, making the betrayal even harder to accept. He emphasized that their bond was built on street principles — not corporate or academic ideals — and in the streets, there is zero tolerance for snitching.
For Thug, Gunna’s plea was a violation of the street code, and he admitted he could never view him the same again. Fighting back tears, Thug likened the fallout to a broken marriage — ten years of loyalty and investment gone. Though he is now free, he said the real challenge lies in rebuilding YSL and regaining the trust of both the public and his fans.