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Young Thug sued over Atlanta show that was cancelled after his arrest
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 16 August 2022
Young Thug has been sued by a concert promoter based in the US state of Georgia over a show that was cancelled after the rapper was arrested in May and denied bail.
Prosecutors claim that Young Thug – real name Jeffery Williams – co-founded a gang that went on to commit murders, shootings and carjackings. He, fellow rapper Gunna and 26 others were charged in May in relation to allegations made against that gang. The case has proven particularly controversial because the prosecution is in part relying on Williams’ music videos as evidence against him, a practice that is being increasingly criticised.
Prior to all that unfolding, Georgia-based A-1 Concert booked Williams to play a show at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on 18 Jun. In a deal negotiated by the live firm’s A’lencio Graham with the rapper’s company YSL Touring LLC, A-1 agreed to pay $300,000 for a 45 minute Young Thug set. Half that fee was paid upfront back in January. But the show obviously couldn’t go ahead once Williams was incarcerated, and now A-1 wants its $150,000 back.
A lawsuit filed by the promoter states: “On or about 9 May 2022, the Fulton County District Attorney office announced that it had arrested Williams on a 56 count indictment, involving serious felonies offences including, but not limited to, drug possession, RICO (Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act) and murder”.
“On 12 May 2022”, it goes on, “Graham received an email from Trey Feazell, Executive VP Arena Programming for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, informing that the venue was canceling the performance, due to ‘(among other things) the headline artist Young Thug’s recent indictment on multiple felonies and his current incarceration without bail’”.
“Due to his arrest and the nature of the felony criminal charges against Williams”, the lawsuit continues, “it was immediately apparent in May 2022 that he would not be able to perform as required in the agreement”.
That agreement, A-1 says, clearly stated that the $150,000 advance would need to be returned if the show didn’t go ahead for any reason.
As a result, once it became clear Williams would be unable to perform, “Graham reached out to YSL seeking reimbursement of the $150,000 that was previously tendered to YSL to secure Williams’ presence at the performance. Although Graham was assured that he would receive a refund of the funds, no funds were ever sent to Graham or A-1 Concert”.
The lawsuit then states: “Due to defendants failure to perform or alternatively reimburse plaintiff as required by the agreement, plaintiff has suffered unnecessary damages and expenses, in an amount of no less than $150,000 and is entitled to compensatory damages, costs, prejudgment interest, expenses and attorney’s fees from defendants. Defendants will remain in breach and plaintiff will continue to accrue damages until this matter is successfully resolved”.
Among other things, the lawsuit accuses Williams and his company of breach of contract and unjust enrichment. Reps for the rapper are yet to respond to the litigation.
