In a poignant return to Atlanta, Young Thug, born Jeffery Lamar Williams, addressed students at Skyview Charter School, urging them to avoid violence and gangs during a moderated conversation with board chair Greg Clay.
This event was Young Thug’s first public appearance in the Atlanta area after his release from Fulton County Jail last fall, where he had been serving time related to a lengthy YSL gang trial. In October, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced him to time served along with 15 years of probation.
The charter school, which serves around 300 at-risk students each semester, aims to provide them with the support needed to earn a high school diploma. Clay expressed how quickly the organization arranged for Young Thug’s visit, revealing that his lawyer, Brian Steel, had reached out about two months prior to the event.
“We feel honored,” Clay told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, emphasizing Skyview’s commitment to keeping children engaged in their education. “As you can imagine, once students fall behind, there’s this notion that they may want to drop out. So we try to prevent students from falling completely off the cliff. We’re pumping hope into them.”
During his visit, Young Thug wore a stylish ensemble that included a bedazzled black cap, gold chains, and a white tank top with shorts, while he spoke candidly to students about the importance of focusing on their grades and future aspirations.
“Black kids are already looked at a certain way,” he noted while encouraging them to steer clear of gang life.
His discussion included a reflection on his own life choices, particularly the regret he feels for not pursuing higher education, which he called one of his biggest regrets. He recounted the pivotal moments in his life when he realized the consequences of his actions, stating, “It’s crazy to say, but I didn’t learn that until I got in trouble. It was big trouble, too, and the wrong way to go…when you’re getting away with it, you think you’re doing the right thing.”
Young Thug was keenly aware of his influence and the power of his words. “I’m a superstar, and my words mean things. I got real power that God gave me, but you can’t do the wrong thing with your power,” he said.
His recent sentencing conditions included a 10-year ban from the metro Atlanta area but were amended in December, allowing him to return to his Atlanta home beginning October 31, 2027, as long as he complies with his probation. This probation entails visiting Atlanta four times a year to conduct “live anti-gang and anti-gun violence presentations” at schools or similar organizations. His visit to Skyview was the first of these mandated engagements.
Steel, who also represents Sean “Diddy” Combs, spoke during the conversation, referring to Young Thug as a “hero” and urging students to steer clear of situations that could lead to incarceration.
After the event, Kris Buchanan, a recent Skyview graduate, shared his thoughts on Young Thug’s impactful message. “It was super empowering to hear a successful Black man who came from where we came from, come to us to speak,” he expressed. “We didn’t pay anything to be here.”
As Young Thug prepares for the release of his upcoming album, titled “UY Scuti,” he continues to create music despite having recently been incarcerated. The album name pays homage to a red supergiant star, with no confirmed release date as of yet, but fans eagerly await its debut. His first single post-release, “Money on Money,” featuring Future, was released in April.
Reflecting on his Skyview visit, Young Thug expressed gratitude for the experience. “It just felt like something nostalgic,” he said. “I haven’t been to school in a minute. It felt good. It felt welcoming.”
The event concluded with a question-and-answer session, where students engaged with the rapper, taking pictures and sharing their aspirations. Young Thug, who emphasized the importance of faith, even mentioned his desire to have some students baptized.
As he left, he took the time to appreciate a performance from 19-year-old student Franderkus Banks, affirming with enthusiasm, “That’s hard,” as he smiled at the young artist.
Through his heartfelt interaction, Young Thug aimed to instill hope and motivation in the students, showcasing his desire to make a positive impact on their lives.
image source from：ajc
