Weeks after being arrested and incarcerated in a Georgia court on a 56-count indictment in a Rico case, YSL rapper, Gunna has released an open letter to his fans and the public, asserting his innocence.
As previously reported, Gunna and fellow YSL rapper, Young Thug were arrested on Monday (May 9) and was charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and involvement in criminal street gang activity. The conspiracy charge originates from an alleged incident on January 24, 2013, while the gang charge is linked to a May 12, 2018, alleged crime.
BREAKING: Rappers @youngthug ,@1GunnaGunna among 28 defendants charged in 56 count indictment in Fulton County. My colleague @MarkWinneWSB & I have exclusive details. @wsbtv
— Michael Seiden (@SeidenWSBTV) May 10, 2022
MORE DETAILS: The 56-count grand jury indictment charges 28 members and associates of Young Slime Life or “YSL.”@wsbtv @MarkWinneWSB
— Michael Seiden (@SeidenWSBTV) May 10, 2022
However, Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Giavanni Kitchens, is said to have been charged with one count of RICO conspiracy.
Addressing the accusations in a statement, Gunna wrote:
“The picture that is being painted of me is ugly and untrue. My fans know I love to celebrate life, I love my family, I love travel, I love music, I love my fans. I have all faith that God will grant me justice for the purity in my heart and the innocence of my actions.”
Gunna also addressed the limitations imposed on his artistic freedom:
“My art is now allowed to stand alone as entertainment, I’m not allowed that freedom as a Black Man in America. It is a sad reality that slavery is still alive in America today and still affecting my people. In 12 states more than half of the prison population is Black, one of those states is Georgia.”
As a result of the arrest, the hip-hop community is paying close attention to the case, with the co-founder of 300 Entertainment, Kevin Liles, and the COO of Atlantic Records, Julie Greenwald, teaming up to file a petition to have rap lyrics barred from being used as evidence in court.
See below for Gunna’s full statement.
Education: Computer Network Engineering, Computer Desktop Administration
Fave Song: Destiny's Child 'Dangerously in love'
Fave Colour: Grey.
With £1m what would you do: I would do my part to provide opportunities to the less fortunate. Then do my best to change the world in my own way through sports and talent building.
