BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (AP) — Atlanta rapper Young Thug has returned to the stage for the first time since he was released from custody late last year. He was indicted on gang and racketeering charges in one of the most high-profile RICO cases in recent history.
On Sunday, Young Thug launched into his highly anticipated headlining set at the Summer Smash, in Bridgeview, Illinois, marking his first public concert since March 2022.
Rappers Travis Scott, Ken Carson and T.I. joined him on stage at the festival.
Young Thug performs during the Summer Smash Music Festival on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Bridgeview, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Young Thug performs during the Summer Smash Music Festival on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Bridgeview, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Special guest, Travis Scott, left, performs with Young Thug during the Summer Smash Music Festival on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Bridgeview, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Young Thug performs during the Summer Smash Music Festival on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Bridgeview, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Young Thug, left, performs with special guest Ken Carson during the Summer Smash Music Festival on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Bridgeview, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Young Thug performs during the Summer Smash Music Festival on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Bridgeview, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Young Thug performs during the Summer Smash Music Festival on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Bridgeview, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Young Thug, left, performs with special guest T.I. during the Summer Smash Music Festival on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Bridgeview, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Young Thug performs during the Summer Smash Music Festival on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Bridgeview, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
On May 9, 2022, the rapper was indicted and arrested. More charges were added in a subsequent indictment that August. The second indictment accused Young Thug and 27 others of conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO. The rapper was also accused of participation in criminal street gang activity, as well as drug and gun charges.
In October 2024, he pleaded guilty to gang, drug and gun charges and was released from jail, though he could be put back behind bars if he violates the terms of his sentence.
Young Thug, whose given name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, is known for his eccentric style, mumble rap and squeaky, high-pitched vocals. He shot to popularity with breakout hits including “Stoner” and “Best Friend.” He also co-wrote the hit “This is America” with Childish Gambino, making history when it became the first hip-hop track to win the song of the year Grammy in 2019.
Sunday’s Summer Smash performance was just the beginning of Young Thug’s return to the stage: He’s on the bill for the Belgian festival Les Ardentes and Switzerland’s Openair Frauenfeld, both scheduled for next month. He’s also scheduled for ComplexCon in Las Vegas in October.
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AP Music Writer Maria Sherman reported from New York.
