Tony Yayo recently shared his perspective on the highly publicized YSL RICO case during his appearance on Club Shay Shay, offering a nuanced take on Gunna’s plea deal and his strained relationship with Young Thug.
Yayo acknowledged the criticism Gunna has faced since taking a plea deal in December 2022, which led many fans and industry figures to label him a “snitch.” He pointed out that people were quick to judge because Gunna’s plea was captured on camera, making the optics look worse than they might have been.
“People take pleas all the time,” Yayo explained. “We don’t know what his lawyer told him. His lawyer probably came to him like, ‘Yo, I can get you out today, just take this plea.’ He might’ve been thinking, ‘I just want to get out of here, I gotta make money, I gotta make music.’”
Yayo also highlighted the double standard surrounding Thugger and Gunna’s legal decisions. “At the end of the day, Thugger took a plea too. Is Thug a rat for that? Everybody took a plea — it just looked funny because [Gunna] did it before Thugger and it was on camera,” he said.
When asked if Young Thug and Gunna could ever reconcile, Yayo was uncertain but hopeful, saying such a reunion would be “dope for hip-hop.” For now, he noted that Gunna has been thriving independently, having released two successful albums since leaving his previous label deal.
Despite the controversy, Yayo made it clear that he separates the legal drama from the music itself. “Dope music is dope music,” he said. “I’m not here to judge Gunna. If he drops fire, I’m gonna listen to it — same with Lil Baby, same with Future.”
Source: Club Shay Shay
