YSL Records

YSL Records (officially Young Stoner Life Records, allegedly Young Slime Life Records) is an American record label based in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 2016 by the Atlanta-based rapper Young Thug.^[1] The company is a label imprint of 300 Entertainment."300 Entertainment". 300ent.com.Its artists include Lil Keed, Yung Kayo, Yak Gotti, T-Shyne, BSlime, 1300Saint, Nine Vicious and more. Several contemporary artists,^[2] including Drake, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, Lil Gotit, NAV, Travis Scott, and Slimelife Shawty have expressed allegiance to YSL, but are not contractually signed.

YSL Records
Parent company	Warner Music Group
Founded	2016 (2016)
Founder	Young Thug
Distributor(s)	300 Elektra Entertainment
Genre	Hip hop, trap
Country of origin	United States
Location	Atlanta, Georgia
Official website	iamuyscuti.com

The label was embroiled in a major criminal trial from 2022–2024, with Young Thug, Gunna, and other YSL members arrested and charged with racketeering and various gang-related crimes in violation of Georgia's RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act. Authorities alleged that YSL Records is a street gang. In 2024, label head Young Thug was released on probation.

History

2016–2019

The label was announced on November 15, 2016, through a video Young Thug had posted on his Snapchat showcasing his new office.^[3] The video also includes a speech by 300 Entertainment co-founder, Kevin Liles, praising the new label.^[4] In 2017, the label announced its first signee, fellow Atlanta native Gunna who was also being courted by Thug's mentor and former label Gucci Mane & 1017 Brick Squad Records.^[5] During a string of mixtape releases that year, the label would announce further signees to the label with YoungBoy Never Broke Again signing a 5-album joint venture deal with YSL and Atlantic Records after opting against signing with Birdman's Cash Money Records, Lil Duke would also join the label alongside Thug's sisters Dolly and HiDoraah.^[6][7]

On August 15, 2018, Thug announced a mixtape featuring the label's signees, except YoungBoy, titled Slime Language, which he released on his 27th birthday on August 16.^[8] On September 12, Lil Baby announced a mixtape with Gunna titled Drip Harder, which was released on October 5 with Baby's label Quality Control.^[9]

On February 22, 2019, Gunna released his debut studio album Drip or Drown 2, follow the album's single "One Call", which was accompanied by a music video.^[10] On June 14, Lil Keed released his debut studio album Long Live Mexico, which was supported by three singles "Oh My God", "Proud Of Me", and "Pull Up".^[11][12]

2020–present

On February 28, 2020, Zaytoven released a mixtape with Lil Keed, Lil Gotit, and Lil Yachty titled A-Team.^[13] In March, Gunna announced his second album Wunna. Its lead single Skybox was released on March 6, alongside a music video.^[14][15] On March 16, Gunna stated on Twitter that Wunna is an acronym for: "Wealthy Unapologetic N***a Naturally Authentic".^[16] On April 3, Young Thug and Gunna released the single "Quarantine Clean", produced by Turbo.^[17] The following day, Gunna explained the album had experienced release issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[18] The Gunna and Young Thug collaboration was their first released song together since "Diamonds", which was released in December 2019.

On August 7, 2020, Lil Keed released his second studio album Trapped on Cleveland 3 through YSL Records.^[19]

On December 18, 2020, YSL Records released "Take It to Trial", by Young Thug, Gunna and featuring Yak Gotti, the first single off the Slime Language 2 compilation, which followed on April 16, 2021.^[20]

On January 7, 2022, Gunna released his third studio album DS4Ever, which served as the fourth and final installment in his Drip Season series.^[21]

On May 9, 2022, members of YSL were arrested and charged with RICO-related charges stemming from a grand jury indictment filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Both Young Thug and Gunna were among the 28 associates charged and were arrested.^[22][23]

On May 13, 2022, YSL artist Lil Keed died at the age of 24.^[24]

Legal issues

Main article: YSL Records racketeering trial

From November 27, 2023 until December 3rd, 2024, a racketeering trial involved Young Thug and several associates of YSL. Prosecutors alleged that YSL, which they alleged stands for "Young Slime Life", functioned as a criminal street gang,^[25][26] with label boss Young Thug as the leader of the gang.^[27] The trial was the longest criminal trial in the state of Georgia.^[28]

On December 14, 2022, Gunna pleaded guilty to a single charge of racketeering and testified that YSL was a criminal gang, as part of an Alford plea. He was sentenced to five years in prison, with one year commuted to time served, and the remainder of the sentence suspended on probation, including 500 hours of community service.^[29] On December 17, rappers Slimelife Shawty and Lil Duke also pleaded guilty.^{[30][better source needed]}

On October 31, 2024, Young Thug was released from jail after he accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 40 years: 5 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and a backload of 20 years in prison if probation is violated.^[31][32][33] Young Thug's 5 years in prison has been commuted to time served.^[34][35][36] Young Thug's release and probation stipulations include: being banned from the Metro Atlanta area for 10 years, unable to make gang-related music, and performance of four annual anti-gang presentations/concerts for Atlanta, alongside having no contact with known gang members or co-defendants (other than Gunna and his biological brother, both of whom were among his co-defendants).^[37][38]

Culture

Many popular rap artists own YSL chains, usually given to them by Young Thug. Lil Uzi Vert,^[39] Drake,^[40] Lil Baby,^[41] Lil Gotit,^[42] and YoungBoy Never Broke Again^[6] all have YSL chains. The official YSL Records Instagram page created a large stir after announcing a project titled Slime Language, which ended up being a compilation album by YSL Records. A phrase commonly mentioned in songs by YSL affiliates is "SLATT" (Slime Love All The Time). The acronym was created by YSL Records founder Young Thug, and was first used back in 2013.^[43] CEO, Young Thug, also launched the "SPIDER" clothing brand on December 27, 2019, which has been co-signed by YSL affiliates.^[44] Many artists on the record label grew up near Cleveland Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia like Lil Keed, Young Thug, and Cheat Code.^[45]

Notable artists

Current

Act	Year signed	Releases (under the label)
Young Thug	Founder	10
Gunna[46]	2017	8
Strick[47]		4
Yung Kayo[48]	2020	2

Former

Act	Years on the label	Releases (under the label)
Lil Baby[2]	2016	-
YoungBoy Never Broke Again	2017	-
Lil Keed[47] (deceased)	2018-2022	7

Discography

Compilation albums

Studio album, with selected details

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		US [49]	US R&B/HH [50]	US Rap [51]	CAN [52]	BEL (FL) [53]	NLD [54]
Slime Language (with Young Thug)	Released: August 17, 2018 Label: YSL, 300 Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP	8	—	—	11	111	46
Slime Language 2 (with Young Thug and Gunna)	Released: April 16, 2021 Label: YSL, 300 Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP	1	1	1	2	19	6
My Struggle (with Unfoonk)	Released: June 18, 2021 Label: YSL, 300 Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP	—	—	—	—	—	—
Big Deal (with FN DaDealer)	Released: July 14, 2021 Label: YSL, 300 Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP	—	—	—	—	—	—
Duke Hefner (with Lil Duke)	Released: July 23, 2021 Label: YSL, 300 Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP	—	—	—	—	—	—
Versatalien (with YTB Trench)	Released: July 30, 2021 Label: YSL, 300 Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP	—	—	—	—	—	—
Confetti Nights (with T-Shyne)	Released: April 1, 2022 Label: YSL, 300 Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP	—	—	—	—	—	—

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions			Album
		US Bub. [55]	US R&B/HH [56]	NZ Hot [57]
"Take It to Trial" (with Young Thug and Gunna featuring Yak Gotti)	2020	2	33	18	Slime Language 2
"GFU" (with Yak Gotti and Sheck Wes featuring Yung Kayo)	2021	—	—	—
"That Go!" (with Young Thug and Meek Mill featuring T-Shyne)		9	43	—
"Bstroy Socks" (with Yung Kayo)		—	—	—	Non-album single
"Temperature" (with Unfoonk)		—	—	—	My Struggle
"Cha Cha Slide" (with Yak Gotti)		—	—	—	Non-album singles
"Sheesh" (with Karlae)		—	—	—
"Temperature" (with Unfoonk)		—	—	—	My Struggle
"30 for 30" (with T-Shyne)		—	—	—	TBA
"Messed Up" (with Fase Yoda)		—	—	—	Non-album singles
"Silent" (with Unfoonk featuring Blac Youngsta)	—	—	—
"Feed the Fam" (with T-Shyne)	2022	—	—	—	Confetti Nights
"Opp Top" (with Bslime)		—	—	—	Non-album singles
"Blind" (with Karlae featuring Lil Yachty)		—	—	—
"Because of You" (with Fase Yoda)		—	—	—
"Separation" (with Bslime)		—	—	—
"Did That" (with Karlae)		—	—	—
"DEA" (with Unfoonk)		—	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist

Title	Year	Album
"Baguettes" (DJ Mlg featuring YSL Records)	2019	Non-album singles
"Not One of Us" (NobleBrendan featuring YSL Records)	2021

Other charted and certified songs

List of songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions							Certifications	Album
		US [58]	US R&B/HH [56]	US R&B/HH [59]	CAN [60]	NZ Hot [61]	UK [62]	WW [63]
"Slatty" (with Young Thug and Gunna featuring Yak Gotti and Lil Duke)	2021	99	39	—	—	—	—	154		Slime Language 2
"Ski" (with Young Thug and Gunna)		18	11	9	33	6	72	23	RIAA: Gold[64]
"Diamonds Dancing" (with Young Thug and Gunna featuring Travis Scott)		46	21	16	39	5	80	35
"Solid" (with Young Thug and Gunna featuring Drake)		12	6	4	8	1	36	11	RIAA: Gold[64] RMNZ: Gold[65]
"Came and Saw" (with Young Thug featuring Rowdy Rebel)		66	29	23	76	—	—	87
"Paid the Fine" (with Young Thug and Gunna featuring Lil Baby and YTB Trench)		77	32	—	93	—	—	104
"Proud of You" (with Young Thug and Gunna featuring Lil Uzi Vert and Yung Kayo)		59	27	21	57	9	—	65
"Real" (with Young Thug featuring Unfoonk)		—[A]	47	—	—	—	—	—
"Litty" (with Young Thug featuring DaBaby)		—[B]	—	—	—	32	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Artist releases

Studio albums

Year	Album details	Details
2019	Gunna – Drip or Drown 2[66] Released: February 22, 2019 Label: YSL Records Formats: digital download	Chart position: No. 2 U.S. RIAA Certificate: Gold
	Lil Keed – Long Live Mexico[67] Released: June 14, 2019 Label: YSL Records, 300 Entertainment Formats: digital download	Chart position: No. 26 U.S.
	Young Thug – So Much Fun[68] Released: August 16, 2019 December 20, 2019 (deluxe)[69] Label: YSL Records Formats: digital download	Chart position: No. 1 U.S. RIAA Certificate: Platinum
2020	Gunna – Wunna[70] Released: May 22, 2020 Label: YSL Records Formats: digital download	Chart position: No. 1 U.S. RIAA Certificate: Gold
	Lil Keed – Trapped on Cleveland 3[71] Released: August 7, 2020 Label: YSL Records Formats: digital download, streaming	Chart position: No. 41 U.S
2021	Young Thug – Punk[72] Released: October 15, 2021 Label: YSL Records Formats: digital download	Chart position: No. 1 U.S.
2022	Gunna – DS4Ever Released: January 7, 2022 Label: YSL Records, 300 Entertainment Formats: digital download, streaming	Chart position: No. 1 U.S.
2023	Lil Keed – Keed Talk to 'Em 2 Released: March 17, 2023 Label: YSL Records, 300 Entertainment Formats: digital download, streaming	Chart position: uncharted
	Gunna – A Gift & a Curse Released: June 16, 2023 Label: YSL Records, 300 Entertainment Formats: digital download, streaming	Chart position: No. 3 U.S.
	Young Thug – Business Is Business Released: June 23, 2023 Label: YSL Records, 300 Entertainment Formats: digital download, streaming	Chart position: No. 2 U.S.

Extended plays

Year	Album details
2019	Strick – See You When I Land[73] Released: January 19, 2019 Label: YSL Records Formats: digital download, streaming

Compilation albums

Year	Album details	Details
2018	Young Thug (with YSL Records) – Slime Language[74] Released: August 17, 2018 Label: YSL Records Formats: digital download	Chart position: No. 8 U.S.
2019	Strick – The Machine, Vol. 1[75] Released: June 28, 2019 Label: YSL Records Formats: digital download, streaming	Chart position: uncharted
	Strick – The Machine, Vol. 2[76] Released: October 31, 2019 Label: YSL Records Formats: digital download, streaming	Chart position: uncharted
2021	Young Thug and Gunna (with YSL Records) – Slime Language 2[77] Released: April 16, 2021 Label: YSL Records, 300 Formats: CD, LP, Cassette, Digital download, streaming	Chart position: No. 1 U.S.[78]

Mixtapes

Year	Artist – Album	Details
2016	Gunna – Drip Season[79]	Released: October 25, 2016 Label: YSL Records, 300 Entertainment Formats: digital download, streaming
2017	Gunna – Drip Season 2[80]	Released: May 11, 2017 Label: YSL Records, 300 Entertainment Formats: digital download, streaming
	Gunna – Drip or Drown[81]	Released: November 30, 2017 Label: YSL Records, 300 Entertainment Formats: digital download, streaming
2018	Gunna – Drip Season 3[82]	Released: February 2, 2018 Label: YSL Records, 300 Entertainment Formats: digital download, streaming Chart position: No. 55 U.S.
	Gunna (with Lil Baby) – Drip Harder[83]	Released: October 4, 2018 Label: Quality Control, YSL Records, 300 Entertainment, Motown, Capitol Formats: digital download, streaming Chart position: No. 4 U.S. RIAA Certificate: Platinum
2020	Lil Keed (with Zaytoven, Lil Gotit, & Lil Yachty) – A-Team[84]	Released: February 28, 2020 Label: YSL Records, 300 Entertainment, Quality Control, Alamo Records Formats: digital download, streaming
	Young Thug (with Chris Brown) – Slime & B	Released: May 5, 2020 Label: CBE, YSL Records, 300 Entertainment, RCA Formats: digital download, streaming Chart position: No. 24 U.S.

Notes

1. "Real" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number eight on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.^[55]
2. "Litty" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 25 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.^[55]