In a candid and revealing interview, Lil Woody offered a stark perspective on the ongoing YSL RICO case, asserting that Young Thug is now “lost” and grappling with profound isolation as former allies, most notably Gunna, appear to have distanced themselves. The conversation, steeped in the raw emotions and complexities of loyalty, betrayal, and the harsh realities of the legal system, paints a somber picture of a superstar artist confronting an unprecedented wave of negativity.

At the heart of Woody’s impassioned commentary is the controversial plea deal taken by Gunna. Woody articulates a common sentiment within certain circles, suggesting that Gunna’s decision to accept a plea bargain was a pivotal moment that sent ripples of disillusionment through the YSL ranks. “He said that Gunna took one of the first pleas,” Woody states, immediately highlighting the perceived breach of solidarity. This move, according to Woody, not only established a precedent but also inadvertently pressured others to follow suit, leading to a cascade of plea agreements.

The weight of this decision is further magnified by the prosecution’s alleged portrayal of Gunna as a “big dog” and “second in command with YSL.” Woody posits that Gunna’s plea, under this perceived designation, effectively validated the prosecution’s narrative, making it harder for others to maintain innocence. However, he also injects a dose of pragmatism, acknowledging that many facing similar charges might have ultimately taken a plea regardless, questioning, “Who was going to turn down the opportunity to go home?”

A more stinging accusation from Woody centers on Gunna’s alleged testimony or statements regarding YSL’s criminal activities. Woody claims that Gunna, despite his involvement in the music scene, had limited personal connections with many of the individuals named in the YSL trial. “He said that Gunna really don’t know any of the people that was on the YSL trial,” Woody emphasizes, challenging the credibility of any statements Gunna might have made regarding their alleged criminal conduct. He elaborates, “Gunna only know people like through the music side of shit so for him to go on the stand and say that he know why sale members commit crimes and shit how would Gunna even know that because him and Gunna or the people on the case never really hung around Gunna.” This assertion suggests a profound sense of betrayal, with Woody feeling that Gunna “threw him underneath the bus just to get out of jail home.”

The discussion then veers into the intricate and often contradictory nature of rap lyrics and their use in legal proceedings. Woody acknowledges Young Thug’s penchant for rapping about “murders and all type of shit,” questioning the outrage over Gunna’s statements when Thug’s own artistry often delves into controversial themes. He argues that if Gunna’s testimony was truly damning, individuals like Shannon and Yak, who were also on trial, would have faced convictions for “gang participation or gang activities whatever they was rico,” yet they were ultimately acquitted of all charges. This point serves to mitigate the perceived impact of Gunna’s plea on the broader legal outcomes for other YSL members.

Woody draws a crucial distinction regarding what he believes Young Thug should have been upset about. He suggests that a more “respectable” grievance would have been Gunna failing to communicate his intention to take a plea deal, emphasizing the importance of legal teams being in sync. “If Thug would have came out and said he was mad at Gunner for not letting him know he’s going to take that plea that was more respectable because our lawyers need to be in with each other,” he explains. However, Woody notes that this wasn’t the public reason for Thug’s anger, leading him to question the true motivations behind the animosity.

A significant point of contention lies in the fundamental disagreement over the nature of YSL itself. Woody references Young Thug’s defense, which has consistently maintained that YSL is primarily a record label, not a gang. He highlights the irony of Thug’s apparent anger at Gunna’s perceived betrayal, given that Thug himself has, at times, publicly asserted YSL’s identity as a label. “But weren’t you on the trial saying wasn’t a gang at one point? Did you say it was a gang like you was saying it’s not a gang it’s a record label,” Woody questions, pointing out the inherent contradiction. He argues, “The whole defense is this is not a gang… but even you went on there and said that you know it as a label.” This internal conflict within YSL’s public narrative adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama.

Woody delves deeper into the legal strategies, noting that the prosecution actively sought to connect various individuals and their alleged crimes to paint a picture of a unified criminal enterprise. He suggests that many individuals brought into the case “didn’t know each other,” implying an effort by the authorities to weave a disparate group of people and incidents into a cohesive, damning narrative against YSL.

He then tackles the question of Gunna’s knowledge about alleged YSL crimes. While acknowledging that Gunna “didn’t know too many people on the case,” Woody also points to the pervasive nature of rap lyrics. “At the end of the day if we rapping about it I heard it in a song say you killed three people so shit yeah I know he why how you know that cuz he wrapped about it.” This highlights the double-edged sword of artistic expression in the hip-hop world, where lyrical content can be weaponized against artists in legal battles, regardless of its factual basis or intent.

Woody further explains that even prominent figures like Young Thug might not possess intimate knowledge of everyone in their orbit. He draws a parallel to the numerous individuals who frequent a popular platform like No Jumper, stating, “there’s people that I’ve seen at No Jumper 10 times and I don’t know who they are.” He extends this analogy to Thug, suggesting that while Thug “watch grow up he heard them he know them,” those individuals might have friends in the streets whose activities Thug is unaware of. However, he quickly clarifies that Thug is particular about his inner circle, implying that if he didn’t want someone around, they wouldn’t be.

The conversation eventually returns to the core of Young Thug’s current predicament. When asked about Thug’s previous statement of finding a “different way to love” Gunna despite feeling betrayed, Woody dismisses it, suggesting that Thug remains “hung up on the Gunna thing” and is “using Gunna as like an excuse for him to not take responsibility.” Woody firmly states, “I watched that whole interview with Thug And I see he lost… he lost in between everything that’s going on and the people ain’t side with him.” This powerful statement underscores Woody’s belief that Thug is not only facing legal challenges but also a deep personal crisis, exacerbated by a sudden lack of support from those who once championed him.

Woody paints a picture of a Young Thug who, after years of unwavering public adoration, is now confronting a harsh new reality. He emphasizes that for Thug, this might be the first time he’s experienced such widespread “negativity thrown his way.” Woody reflects on his own experience with public scrutiny, stating, “You’ve been through it… You’ve had the moment that you know certain interrogation footage leaked and people started to talk about you a certain way.” He describes the feeling of being abandoned as “a bad feeling,” acknowledging the profound impact it can have.

The conversation concludes with Woody’s unfiltered assessment of Young Thug’s current isolation. He asserts that Thug is now seeing “95% negative” comments across hip-hop social media, a stark contrast to his previous untouchable status. “He knows that there’s all these A-list superstar rappers that are noting with him because of what’s happened and his girls noting with him it’s his fault,” Woody declares, highlighting the extent of Thug’s isolation. He suggests that Thug’s previous actions, particularly his public stance on “rat shit,” have contributed to his current predicament. “Doug got out of jail pushing that rat shit… So I don’t know what people think I tell them all the time you get what you put out what you put out is what you receive.” This serves as a pointed critique, suggesting that Thug is now reaping the consequences of his own public narratives and actions.

Woody also touches upon Gunna’s personal journey, acknowledging that Gunna, having never been incarcerated before, was likely swayed by his lawyer’s advice. He imagines a scenario where Gunna’s lawyer emphasized the benefits of a plea deal, especially with the holidays approaching. Woody dismisses the idea of Gunna being selfish, suggesting he simply followed legal counsel. “If your lawyer telling you this in your best interest you not a criminal you gonna believe your lawyer,” he concludes, offering a degree of understanding for Gunna’s decision while firmly maintaining his critical assessment of Young Thug’s current emotional and social standing. The interview ultimately provides a raw, unfiltered look into the human drama unfolding behind the headlines of a high-profile legal battle, emphasizing the profound personal toll it takes on those involved.