From Brothers to Rivals: The Shocking Downfall of Young Thug and Gunna’s Friendship!

Young Thug and Gunna, two of the most prominent figures in Atlanta’s rap scene, have experienced a dramatic shift in their relationship over the past few years.

Once celebrated as close friends and collaborators, the duo’s bond has been strained by a series of events, culminating in allegations of betrayal and cooperation with law enforcement.

As Young Thug navigates his ongoing legal troubles, the tension between him and Gunna has only intensified, leaving fans wondering how it all went so wrong.

 

 

2015: The Beginning of a Friendship

The saga began in 2015 when Gunna and Young Thug were introduced by mutual friend Keith “King” Troup.

At the time, Young Thug was riding high on the success of his Barter 6 project, and Gunna made his first appearance at the rapper’s “With That” music video shoot.

Their friendship deepened following the tragic death of Troup in December 2015, which had a lasting impact on both artists.

Gunna described Troup as a father figure, stating, “He was like my uncle… always tried to let us know there’s more to this.”

 

 

August 26, 2016: The Collaboration Begins

The first major collaboration between the two came in 2016 with the release of Young Thug’s album Jeffrey.

Gunna made his official debut on the track “Floyd Mayweather,” marking the beginning of his association with YSL Records.

The song showcased their chemistry and set the stage for Gunna’s rise in the industry.

 

 

October 14, 2016: Gunna Joins YSL Records

Following the release of his debut mixtape Drip Season, Gunna officially joined Young Thug’s YSL Records.

This partnership opened doors for both artists, with Thug featuring on Gunna’s projects and helping to elevate his career.

By 2018, Gunna was solidifying his status in the rap game with successful releases like Drip Season 2 and Drip Harder.

 

 

May 9, 2022: The Arrests

The friendship faced a significant challenge in May 2022 when Young Thug and several YSL affiliates were arrested as part of a sweeping RICO case.

Thug was charged with being the leader of a criminal organization, while Gunna turned himself in shortly after, facing conspiracy charges.

Both artists were denied bond multiple times, and the pressure of the situation began to strain their relationship.

 

 

December 14, 2022: Gunna’s Plea Deal

The turning point came when Gunna accepted an Alford plea deal in December 2022.

This decision drew heavy criticism and sparked allegations that he had cooperated with law enforcement, leading to claims of him being a “snitch.”

Despite Gunna’s attempts to deny these allegations, the damage to his reputation was significant, and the rift between him and Young Thug widened.

 

 

June 16, 2023: The Comeback Albums

In June 2023, Gunna released his album A Gift & a Curse, which included subliminal shots at the snitching allegations.

Meanwhile, Young Thug dropped Business Is Business, but neither artist featured the other on their respective projects.

Despite the tension, Gunna expressed support for Thug, but the underlying issues remained unresolved.

 

 

May 10, 2024: Gunna’s New Release

As Gunna continued to navigate the fallout from the plea deal, he released One of Wun in 2024.

Although the album was released under YSL Records, there was no communication between him and Young Thug during this period, further highlighting their estrangement.

 

 

June 24, 2024: Gunna’s Clarification

In a Spotify interview, Gunna asserted that he was still signed to YSL Records, but he did not mention Young Thug, indicating the distance that had grown between them.

His comments came amid ongoing speculation about his status with the label and the group.

 

 

August 4, 2024: Support from YSL Co-Founder

In an unexpected turn, YSL co-founder Mondo defended Gunna against the snitch allegations, stating that while Gunna may have “folded under pressure,” he did not technically rat.

This defense added another layer to the ongoing narrative surrounding the two rappers.

 

 

October 31, 2024: Young Thug’s Release

On Halloween 2024, Young Thug’s lengthy RICO trial concluded, resulting in his release after entering a plea deal.

The judge allowed him to maintain contact with Gunna, but Thug’s subsequent social media activity suggested he had no intention of rekindling their friendship.

In a tweet, he bluntly stated, “Gunna stop acting like we friends on the internet, I don’t know u my guy.”

 

 

September 2, 2025: The Final Straw

The situation reached a breaking point when leaked phone calls revealed Young Thug’s grievances with Gunna.

In a conversation with 21 Savage, Thug expressed his frustration, stating that Gunna’s plea deal had contributed to the RICO case against him.

“He gave the jurors the agreement that it’s a gang,” Thug said, indicating that Gunna’s actions had serious implications for their relationship.

 

 

As the dust settles on this complex and tumultuous relationship, fans are left to ponder how two artists who once stood shoulder to shoulder could fall so far apart.

The story of Young Thug and Gunna serves as a cautionary tale about loyalty, betrayal, and the harsh realities of the music industry.

With both artists continuing their careers amidst the fallout, the question remains: can they ever reconcile, or is this the end of an era?