Listen: Young Thug Releases New Album Business Is Business

Young Thug is back with his first new album since October 2021’s Punk. The new release, Business Is Business, features Drake, Future, 21 Savage, Lil Gotit, Yak Gotti, Travis Scott, Bslime, and Fun.’s Nate Ruess. Metro Boomin is the album’s executive producer, and the full-length has additional production from Southside, Wheezy, FNZ, Dr. Luke, and more. Listen to Young Thug’s new album below.

Last week, Young Thug cryptically teased Business Is Business with a QR code that he posted not long after his longtime collaborator Gunna released a new album of his own, A Gift & a Curse. The teaser was spread online by Gunna, Metro Boomin, Drake, Chance the Rapper, Wheezy, G Herbo, Coi Leray, Lil Durk, 21 Savage, Southside, and more.

Business Is Business is Young Thug’s first project since he, Gunna, Deamonte “Yak Gotti” Kendrick, and other members of the Young Stoner Life (YSL) collective were arrested on gang-related charges in Georgia. Young Thug was charged in a grand jury indictment with participation in criminal street gang activity and conspiracy to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. He was additionally charged with felonies related to the alleged possession of drugs and weapons. Young Thug has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

While Gunna was released from jail after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Georgia RICO Act, Young Thug remains incarcerated and has been consistently denied bond, with a judge at one point insisting that the rapper is “a danger to the community.” Several of Young Thug’s co-defendants have also had their cases settled as the rapper awaits trial.

The initial indictment named 28 YSL members and associates. Among the men who’ve pleaded guilty are Gunna, Unfoonk (Young Thug’s brother), Lil Duke, Slimelife Shawty, Trontavious “Tick” Stephens, Antonio “Mounk Tounk” Sledge, Walter Murphy, and Antonio “Obama” Sumlin. Meanwhile, Derontae “Bee” Bebee and Tenquarius “Nard” Mender have rejected plea deals. Yak Gotti also remains incarcerated after being denied bond.

Jury selection began in January, and the presiding judge has projected that selection could continue through September. As of now, no jurors have been seated and there is still not a firm date for Young Thug to stand trial.

Despite his extensive time in jail, Young Thug has been featured on several new songs, including Yeat’s “My Wrist,” Killer Mike’s “Run,” Calvin Harris’ “Potion,” and Rae Sremmurd’s “Royal Flush.” He was also nominated for two 2023 Grammy Awards for his appearance on Gunna’s “Pushin P”: Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.

Stream the album below