The ongoing YSL (Young Slime Life) Rico trial involving famous Atlanta rappers such as Young Thug, Gunna and more will reportedly be the subject of an upcoming documentary.
Streaming platform Hulu, in conjunction with ABC News Productions, will premiere the documentary entitled Rap Trap: Hip-Hop on Trial, later this month on February 23. The hour-long doc will examine the proceedings of the YSL RICO trial and the use of rap lyrics, such as Young Thug’s, whose real name is Jefferey Williams, in criminal prosecutions. Atlanta artist Killer Mike, Terror Squad legend Fat Joe, Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and Young Stoner Life signee Jerrika Karlae will all have interviews in the documentary. Additionally, 300 Elektra Entertainment executive and friend of Williams, Kevin Liles, will also appear in the documentary along with scholar Michael Erik Dyson, and Erik Nelson, co-author of the book Rap on Trial.
The documentary will also highlight the case of Master P’s former No Limit rapper McKinley “Mac” Phipps Jr. — who spent 21 years in prison after his lyrics were used against him in a manslaughter case. Young Thug was among the 28 individuals arrested last May as a result of a sweeping indictment led by Fulton County, Georgia district attorney Fani T. Williams. As many as eight of Williams’ peers named in the indictment have accepted plea deals including rappers Lil Duke, SlimeLife Shawty, YSL co-founder Walter Murphy, Thug’s brother Unfoonk, and Mounk Tounk. Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens, entered a negotiated Alford plea in December and was later released from jail.
A look at the Atlanta case against rappers, Young Thug and Gunna in a new documentary
"Rap Trap: Hip-Hop on Trial" debuts on @Hulu Feb 23rd. https://t.co/foxDw1l5iQ pic.twitter.com/nMosPrOgO5
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 18, 2023
The arrival of the Rap Trap documentary follows yet another scandal in the YSL RICO trial saga after a three-hour-long video surfaced of YSL affiliate Lil Woody allegedly snitching on Williams and YFN Lucci’s camps during a police interrogation.
Social media users quickly got a hold of news of the documentary and sounded off, expressing their concerns for Williams in addition to divulging their disdain for Thug’s co-defendants like Kitchens.
“Fucked up part is Thug gonna be watching from his cell smokin cigs and munchin on commissary, while Gunnatello gon be eatin lobster n skrimps in his mansion with an IG model clout demon,” one Twitter user wrote.
Fucked up part is Thug gonna be watching from his cell smokin cigs and munchin on commissary, while Gunnatello gon be eatin lobster n skrimps in his mansion with an IG model clout demon pic.twitter.com/c1v9HSqyv1
— GoodtimesJackson ™ (@officialhotrod) February 19, 2023
Another user jumped in the thread to suggest another title for the documentary, writing, “should’ve called it RAT trap 🤡‼️” sharing a photo of Kitchens attached to the retort.
should've called it RAT trap 🤡‼️ pic.twitter.com/UrjzhUIGZi
— sean 🔨 (@bizzyless) February 19, 2023
One user actually called Hulu out for their extremely timely releases of controversial documentaries, citing the recent doc on Travis Scott’s Astrowold mass casualty event as evidence. “Hulu is too fast with these docuseries, they got Travis Scott 3 days after the event 😂,” the user tweeted.
Hulu is too fast with these docuseries, they got Travis Scott 3 days after the event 😂
— Stache Lord (@ThnderKmiKzee) February 20, 2023
In the months following his arrest last year, prosecutors have accused Williams of being the leader of YSL, which they classify as a criminal street gang in Atlanta, as well as additional gun and drug charges.
Williams also faces charges against him for conspiring to violate the RICO Act, however, he has pleaded not guilty.