Young Thug Might Be Back Outside

50 Cent told The Breakfast Club that he turned down a three million dollar payday to perform at a Trump rally. In other news:

• Billboard Hot 100 📈

• There have been new developments in Young Thug’s YSL trial 👀

• ‘CHROMAKOPIA’ is another Tyler, the Creator banger 🗣

• Industry Insights 🔎

Billboard Hot 100

The above chart shows Billboard’s Hot 100 ranking for this week. The Hot 100 ranks songs based on streaming activity, radio airplay audience impressions, and sales data—all measured by Luminate.

While Glorilla and Sexxy Red’s new collab “Whatchu Kno About Me” is rising on the charts, other songs like K. Dot’s “Not Like Us” and Rod Wave’s “25” have taken a hit this week.

Is a Plea Deal in the Works for Young Thug? 

The Young Thug and YSL RICO trial has been chaotic, to say the absolute least. From switching out judges to catching drug transactions in court, the transcript of events since the trial officially started in November 2023 is longer than a college student’s required reading list. However, moves are being made that might finally wrap up the current case. 

Everybody say “Free Young Thug”

The presiding judge over the case, Paige Reese Whitaker, is considering a motion for a mistrial while “attorneys for multiple defendants in the high-profile YSL RICO trial are negotiating plea deals with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.” 

Calls for a mistrial stem from a witness October 23 unintentionally reading the hashtag “#freequa” out loud, which implicated one of the YSL co-defendants on trial along with Thug. The defense “argued prosecutors should have redacted that image, and that the jury has now learned about the co-defendant’s previous incarceration.” If Judge Whitaker grants the mistrial, she stated that it would be without prejudice, which allows the state to retry the case. 

“I do not believe they are purposefully trying to insert error to this trial,” said Judge Whitaker, explaining her “without prejudice” position while also scolding prosecutors for not shortening their “ginormous universe of evidence” to avoid missteps. 

Reporters, along with the rest of the public, were barred from the courtroom on October 28 as these discussions took place. 

The official decision on the mistrial and proposed plea deals was expected on Oct 29th. Still, as of that afternoon, only one defendant, Quamarvious Nichols (also known as Qua), has entered a negotiated guilty plea deal. He’ll serve a recommended sentence of 7 years on his RICO charge, with the rest of his charges dismissed. 

The judge hasn’t ruled yet on the proposed mistrial, and no other plea deals have been announced, but fans are crossing every finger that Young Thug can finally be back outside. 

Tyler, the Creator Delivers His Best Album Yet With CHROMAKOPIA

On October 28, Tyler, the Creator released a PSA for those getting ready to listen to the album. 

“Make sure you listen in full with no expectations, no distractions, no checking text or social media letting others paint your thoughts on sh*t before you get a chance. Thank you,” he said in an Instagram story post. 

Some fans followed the rapper’s instructions. Others may have gone on social media to get a general feel for what’s to come. Whether you were a part of the early wake-up crew or played the album once you got your morning coffee, one thing is for sure — it’s another classic.

Tyler does not miss

Despite teasing that there would be no features on the album, the rap community got plenty of surprises when listening in. Artists on the record include Teezo Touchdown, Childish Gambino, Sexxy Red, and Doechii (sadly, we still have nothing from Frank Ocean).

Playboi Carti also has a verse on “I THOUGHT I WAS DEAD,” but that is a vinyl exclusive, along with an unheard two-part bonus track originally thought to be titled “TOLD ME/TURNED OUT FINE.” However, Tyler clarified that it is called “MOTHER.” 

Tyler also shouted out other heavyweights in the rap game that didn’t drop a verse. On “Rah Tah Tah,” he spits that “it's really Odd Future, all those other n****s whacked out / The biggest out the city, after Kenny, that's a fact now.” 

CHROMAKOPIA is already breaking records, earning over 85 million first-day streams on the global Spotify chart, making it the biggest rap album debut of 2024 on the platform and in the top 20 of all time.

The album is also receiving its flowers from both critics and fans online. 

With Camp Flog Gnaw quickly approaching and touring soon after, the excitement to hear this new heat live will only continue to grow. 

• Tory Lanez has an issue to address. He filed an ethics complaint against the attorney who briefly represented him, stating that he was unaware of their alleged ties to Roc Nation and Megan Thee Stallion. 

• Lil Wayne has his headlining show coming soon. The Lil Weezyana Fest will feature The Hot Boys, Rob49, and more.

• Ye is back in Beverly Hills. He purchased a $35 million dollar home in the area complete with 11 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms. 

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