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Young Thug performs at half time at the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics on November 17, 2021 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

Young Thug performs during halftime of a game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics on Nov. 17, 2021, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images hide caption

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Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images

Music

Why the judge in Young Thug’s trial was just recused from the case

Fulton County Chief Judge Ural Glanville was taken off the YSL RICO case this week after his actions in an ex parte meeting were deemed damaging to public perception of the case.

Gunna performs during the event

Gunna performs during the event "A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop" on Nov. 8, 2023, at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, Calif. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy hide caption

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Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Review

Music Features

Gunna can't flaunt his way out of the YSL trial's shadow

The rapper slipped free from the legal mess that swallowed his label and his mentor Young Thug — but on his new album, he's still in the grip of an unending image crisis.

How Atlanta became the center of the rap universe

Migos, Baby Tate, Outkast & Jeezy. Collage by Jackie Lay / NPR. Alberto E. Rodriguez / Josh Brasted / Scott Gries / Paras Griffin/Getty Images hide caption

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Alberto E. Rodriguez / Josh Brasted / Scott Gries / Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Hip-Hop 50: All Rap Is Local

How Atlanta became the center of the rap universe

The current rap capital thrives on a thrilling contradiction: Its best music is at once hyperlocal and globally accessible, true to its roots but built for scale.

Young Thug's racketeering charges show how hip-hop is still criminalized

Gunna and Young Thug perform at half time during game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics on November 17, 2021 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images hide caption

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Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images

Louder Than A Riot

Young Thug's racketeering charges show how hip-hop is still criminalized

Last week, two of Atlanta's biggest rappers Young Thug and Gunna were arrested under the RICO Act. The DA charged their crew YSL as a gang and the indictment read more like a lyrical analysis than a police report. If this sounds familiar, it's because these same tactics were used in cases we explored with DJ Drama, Bobby Shmurda, and Mac Phipps. In this bonus episode, we speak with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about the impact of YSL, and how RICO is being used against rap crews.

Young Thug's racketeering charges show how hip-hop is still criminalized

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The charges against Young Thug build on a growing trend of criminalizing rap crews

Last week, the Fulton County District Attorney in Atlanta charged rapper Young Thug (pictured) with an indictment for allegedly participating in street gang activities and violating RICO law. SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images

Music News

The charges against Young Thug build on a growing trend of criminalizing rap crews

Ayesha Rascoe talks with Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael of NPR's Louder Than A Riot about the RICO charges against Young Thug and the wider intersection of criminal justice and hip-hop.

The charges against Young Thug build on a growing trend of criminalizing rap crews

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The 25 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2021

Projects released by Young Thug, Tyler, the Creator and Little Simz are included in NPR Music's best hip-hop albums of 2021. Photo Illustration by Renee Klahr/NPR; Getty Images hide caption

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Photo Illustration by Renee Klahr/NPR; Getty Images

Best Music Of 2021

The 25 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2021

This year's best hip-hop — including Westside Gunn, Mach-Hommy and Moor Mother — comes from death and defiance, erotic power and provocation, Black joy and pain — and that's just the shortlist.

New Music Friday: The top 6 albums out on Oct. 15

Atlanta rapper Young Thug's second official studio album, Punk, is among our picks for the best new releases out on Oct. 15. Brandon Lee/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Brandon Lee/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The top 6 albums out on Oct. 15

Atlanta rapper Young Thug's Punk, Coldplay's Music of the Spheres, solo debuts from Finneas, Remi Wolf and more are among NPR Music's picks for the week's best new albums.

New Music Friday: The top 6 albums out on Oct. 15

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Pop Smoke's First And Final Album Falls Between Two Worlds

The rapper Pop Smoke, whose posthumous debut album was released July 3, 2020. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Review

Music Reviews

Pop Smoke's First And Final Album Falls Between Two Worlds

The rapper quickly drew attention over the course of 2019, as one of the newest and brightest stars of an emerging generation of New York artists.

Pop Smoke's First And Final Album Falls Between Two Worlds

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