YSL Records
YSL Records | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Parent company | Warner Music Group |
Founded | 2016 |
Founder | Young Thug |
Distributor(s) | 300 Elektra Entertainment |
Genre | Hip hop, trap |
Country of origin | United States |
Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
Official website | youngstonerliferecords.com/ |
YSL Records (also known as Young Stoner 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.[2] Its artists include Gunna,[3] Lil Keed and more. Several contemporary artists,[4] 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.
History
[edit]2016–2019
[edit]The label was announced on November 15, 2016, through a video Young Thug had posted on his Snapchat showcasing his new office.[5] The video also includes a speech by 300 Entertainment co-founder, Kevin Liles, praising the new label.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8][9]
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.[10] 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.[11]
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.[12] 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".[13][14]
2020–present
[edit]On February 28, 2020, Zaytoven released a mixtape with Lil Keed, Lil Gotit, and Lil Yachty titled A-Team.[15] In March, Gunna announced his second album Wunna. Its lead single Skybox was released on March 6, alongside a music video.[16][17] On March 16, Gunna stated on Twitter that Wunna is an acronym for: "Wealthy Unapologetic N***a Naturally Authentic".[18] On April 3, Young Thug and Gunna released the single "Quarantine Clean", produced by Turbo.[19] The following day, Gunna explained the album had experienced release issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] 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.[21]
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.[22]
On January 7, 2022, Gunna released his third studio album DS4Ever, which served as the fourth and final installment in his Drip Season series.[23]
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.[24][25]
On May 13, 2022, Lil Keed died at the age of 24.[26]
Since November 27, 2023, a trial has been ongoing involving Young Thug and several associates of YSL. Prosecutors allege that YSL, while operating as a record label, also functioned as a criminal street gang.[27]
On December 14, 2022, Gunna pleaded guilty to a single charge of racketeering and stated that YSL was a criminal gang. 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.[28] On December 17, rappers Slimelife Shawty and Lil Duke also pleaded guilty.[29]
Notable artists
[edit]Current
[edit]Act | Year signed |
Releases (under the label) |
---|---|---|
Young Thug | Founder | 10 |
Gunna[30] | 2017 | 8 |
Strick[31] | 4 | |
Yung Kayo[32] | 2020 | 1 |
Former
[edit]Act | Years on the label |
Releases (under the label) |
---|---|---|
Lil Baby[4] | 2016 | - |
YoungBoy Never Broke Again | 2017 | - |
Lil Keed[31] (deceased) | 2018-2022 | 7 |
Discography
[edit]Compilation albums
[edit]Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [33] |
US R&B/HH [34] |
US Rap [35] |
CAN [36] |
BEL (FL) [37] |
NLD [38] | ||
Slime Language (with Young Thug) |
|
8 | — | — | 11 | 111 | 46 |
Slime Language 2 (with Young Thug and Gunna) |
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 6 |
My Struggle (with Unfoonk) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
Big Deal (with FN DaDealer) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
Duke Hefner (with Lil Duke) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
Versatalien (with YTB Trench) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
Confetti Nights (with T-Shyne) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Bub. [39] |
US R&B/HH [40] |
NZ Hot [41] | |||
"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
[edit]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
[edit]Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [42] |
US R&B/HH [40] |
US R&B/HH [43] |
CAN [44] |
NZ Hot [45] |
UK [46] |
WW [47] | ||||
"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 | |||
"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 |
| ||
"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
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]Year | Album details | Details |
---|---|---|
2019 | Gunna – Drip or Drown 2[49]
|
|
Lil Keed – Long Live Mexico[50]
|
| |
Young Thug – So Much Fun[51]
|
| |
2020 | Gunna – Wunna[53]
|
|
Lil Keed – Trapped on Cleveland 3[54]
|
| |
2021 | Young Thug – Punk[55]
|
|
2022 | Gunna – DS4Ever
|
|
2023 | Lil Keed – Keed Talk to 'Em 2
|
|
Gunna – A Gift & a Curse
|
| |
Young Thug – Business Is Business
|
|
Extended plays
[edit]Year | Album details |
---|---|
2019 | Strick – See You When I Land[56]
|
Compilation albums
[edit]Year | Album details | Details |
---|---|---|
2018 | Young Thug (with YSL Records) – Slime Language[57]
|
|
2019 | Strick – The Machine, Vol. 1[58]
|
|
Strick – The Machine, Vol. 2[59]
|
| |
2021 | Young Thug and Gunna (with YSL Records) – Slime Language 2[60]
|
|
Mixtapes
[edit]Year | Artist – Album | Details |
---|---|---|
2016 | Gunna – Drip Season[62] |
|
2017 | Gunna – Drip Season 2[63] |
|
Gunna – Drip or Drown[64] |
| |
2018 | Gunna – Drip Season 3[65] |
|
Gunna (with Lil Baby) – Drip Harder[66] |
| |
2020 | Lil Keed (with Zaytoven, Lil Gotit, & Lil Yachty) – A-Team[67] |
|
Young Thug (with Chris Brown) – Slime & B |
|
Notes
[edit]Culture
[edit]Many popular rap artists own YSL chains, usually given to them by Young Thug. Lil Uzi Vert,[68] Drake,[69] Lil Baby,[70] Lil Gotit,[71] and YoungBoy Never Broke Again[8] 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.[72] CEO, Young Thug, also launched the "SPIDER" clothing brand on December 27, 2019, which has been co-signed by YSL affiliates.[73] Many artists on the record label grew up near Cleveland Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia like Lil Keed, Young Thug, and Cheat Code.[74]
References
[edit]- ^ Madden, Sidney (November 16, 2016). "Young Thug Launches YSL Records – XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
- ^ "300 Entertainment". 300ent.com.
- ^ "Meet Gunna: Young Thug's Perpetually Drippin' YSL Moussa is the Co-producer of the YSL Brand . Signee". Hotnewhiphop.com. February 2017.
- ^ a b "Young Thug Reveals Lil Baby Was Once Signed To YSL Records". HotNewHipHop. October 19, 2021.
- ^ "Young Thug Is Launching His Own Record Label". Complex. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- ^ "Young Thug Launches YSL records". Xxlmag.com.
- ^ "Meet Gunna: Young Thug's Perpetually Drippin' YSL Signee". HotNewHipHop. February 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- ^ a b "thugger signs NBA YoungBoy to YSL and gives him a chain". HipHopOverload.com. September 8, 2017. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- ^ "YSL Records Artists, History, Releases". rapintel. March 21, 2019. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (August 15, 2018). "Young Thug Shares 'Slime Language' Release Date". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- ^ Lamarre, Carl (September 12, 2018). "Lil Baby & Gunna Announce Their New Project 'Drip Harder,' Unleash First Single 'Drip Too Hard'". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ "Gunna's Drip or Drown 2 tracklist is here". The FADER. February 19, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Keed announces Long Live Mexico album, shares Young Thug collaboration "Proud Of Me"". The FADER. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Keed drops debut album Long Live Mexico". The FADER. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- ^ Ingvaldsen, Torsten (February 28, 2020). "Zaytoven Taps Lil Yachty, Lil Keed & Lil Gotit for Trap-Heavy 'A-Team' Project". Hypebeast. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
- ^ A., Aron (March 4, 2020). "Gunna Teases New Music With "Wunna" Trailer". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
- ^ "SKYBOX – Single by Gunna on Apple". March 6, 2020 – via Apple Music.
- ^ A., Aron (March 17, 2020). "Gunna Breaks Down The Acronym For "WUNNA"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
- ^ William Cowen, Trace (April 3, 2020). "Young Thug and Gunna Connect on Turbo's "Quarantine Clean"". Complex. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
- ^ Cole, Alexander (April 2, 2020). "Gunna Reveals Plans For New Album Amid Coronavirus Crisis". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
- ^ "Lil Keed Delivers Diverse New Record 'Trapped On Cleveland 3'". Hypebeast. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ "Young Thug, Gunna, & Yak Gotti 'Take It to Trial' on New Single". Rap-Up. December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Gunna shares Drip Season 4 tracklist and features". The FADER. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
- ^ Bouza, Kat (May 10, 2022). "Young Thug Arrested on Gang-Related Charges". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ Aswad, Jem (May 11, 2022). "Rapper Gunna Jailed in Atlanta on Racketeering Charge With Young Thug". Variety. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ "Rapper Lil Keed has died, aged 24". The Independent. May 14, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
- ^ Coscarelli, Joe (December 12, 2023). "Young Thug's YSL RICO Trial: What to Know". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ Papp, Jozsef; Abusaid, Shaddi. "Gunna and alleged gang co-founder negotiate guilty pleas in YSL RICO case". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ SLIMELIFE SHAWTY RELEASED AFTER ENTERING PLEA DEAL IN YSL RICO CASE
- ^ "Gunna wants you to go out and get it". Thefader.com. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ a b "Young Stoner Life Records". www.youngstonerliferecords.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Young Thug Has Taken A New Artist Under His Wing: Yung Kayo". HotNewHipHop. January 29, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ "Young Thug Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ "Young Thug Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "Young Thug Chart History: Top Rap Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "Young Thug Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
- ^ "ultratop.be – Discografie Young Stoner Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ "Discografie Young Stoner Life". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Young Thug Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ a b "Young Thug Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Young Thug Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "Young Thug Chart History: Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "Young Thug Chart History: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
- "Solid", "Diamonds Dancing", "Ski", and "Proud of You": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- "Litty": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "Young Thug | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ "Young Thug Chart History: Global 200". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ a b "American certifications – Young Thug". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ "Drip or Drown 2 by Gunna on Apple Music". February 22, 2019 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Long Live Mexico by Lil Keed on Apple Music". June 14, 2019 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "So Much Fun by Young Thug on Apple Music". August 16, 2019 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "So Much Fun (Deluxe) by Young Thug on Apple Music". December 20, 2019 – via Apple Music.
- ^ A, Aaron (March 4, 2020). "Gunna Teases New Music With "Wunna" Trailer". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- ^ "Lil Keed Releases New Album Trapped on Cleveland 3: Listen". Pitchfork. August 7, 2020.
- ^ "Punk by Young Thug on Spotify". October 15, 2021 – via Spotify.
- ^ "See You When I Land by Strick on Apple Music". January 19, 2019 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Slime Language by Young Thug on Apple Music". August 17, 2018 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "The Machine, Vol. 1 by Strick on Apple Music". June 28, 2019 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "The Machine, Vol. 2 by Strick on Apple Music". October 31, 2019 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Young Thug Announces "Slime Language 2" Release Date". HotNewHipHop. July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (April 25, 2021). "'Slime Language 2' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ "Drip Season by Gunna on Apple Music". October 15, 2016 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Drip Season 2 by Gunna on Apple Music". May 11, 2017 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Drip or Drown by Gunna on Apple Music". November 30, 2017 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Drip Season 3 by Gunna on Apple Music". February 2, 2018 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Drip Harder by Lil Baby & Gunna on Apple Music". October 4, 2018 – via Apple Music.
- ^ A-Team by Zaytoven, archived from the original on December 16, 2020, retrieved April 4, 2020
- ^ "Young Thug Is Giving Lil Uzi Vert His Own YSL Chain". Hotnewhiphop.com.
- ^ "Drake Gives Young Thug Diamond-Studded YSL Chain". Hotnewhiphop.com.
- ^ "Lil Baby Talks Quality Control And Life After Rap". Vibe.com. May 21, 2018.
- ^ Blue, Bo (November 19, 2018). "New YSL Artist Lil Gotit is the Hood Baby". The Fresh Committee. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- ^ "What Does "Slatt" Mean?". genius.com.
- ^ "Young Thug Launches Clothing Brand SPIDER". thefader.com. December 26, 2019.
- ^ "GEN F: Young Thug". thefader.com.