YSL Records

YSL Records (an initialism for Young Stoner Life Records) is an American record label based in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 2016 by the Atlanta-based rapper Young Thug. The label is an imprint of 300 Entertainment. As of 2026 current acts include Thug himself, Strick, Yung Kayo, Tezzus, 1300Saint and Oruam.

The label was embroiled in a major criminal trial from 2022–2024, with Young Thug, Gunna, and other YSL members arrested and charged with racketeering and various gang-related crimes in violation of Georgia's RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act. Authorities alleged that YSL Records is a street gang. In 2024, label head Young Thug was released on probation.

History

2016–2019

The label was announced on November 15, 2016, through a video Young Thug had posted on his Snapchat showcasing his new office. The video also includes a speech by 300 Entertainment co-founder, Kevin Liles, praising the new label. In 2017, the label announced its first signee, fellow Atlanta native Gunna who was also being courted by Thug's mentor and former label Gucci Mane & 1017 Brick Squad Records. During a string of mixtape releases that year, the label would announce further signees to the label with YoungBoy Never Broke Again signing a 5-album joint venture deal with YSL and Atlantic Records after opting against signing with Birdman's Cash Money Records, Lil Duke would also join the label alongside Thug's sisters Dolly and HiDoraah.

On August 15, 2018, Thug announced a mixtape featuring the label's signees, except YoungBoy, titled Slime Language, which he released on his 27th birthday on August 16. On September 12, Lil Baby announced a mixtape with Gunna titled Drip Harder, which was released on October 5 with Baby's label Quality Control.

On February 22, 2019, Gunna released his debut studio album Drip or Drown 2, follow the album's single "One Call", which was accompanied by a music video. On June 14, Lil Keed released his debut studio album Long Live Mexico, which was supported by three singles "Oh My God", "Proud Of Me", and "Pull Up".

2020–2022

On February 28, 2020, Zaytoven released a mixtape with Lil Keed, Lil Gotit, and Lil Yachty titled A-Team. In March, Gunna announced his second album Wunna. Its lead single Skybox was released on March 6, alongside a music video. On March 16, Gunna stated on Twitter that Wunna is an acronym for: "Wealthy Unapologetic N***a Naturally Authentic". On April 3, Young Thug and Gunna released the single "Quarantine Clean", produced by Turbo. The following day, Gunna explained the album had experienced release issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Gunna and Young Thug collaboration was their first released song together since "Diamonds", which was released in December 2019. On August 7, 2020, Lil Keed released his second studio album Trapped on Cleveland 3 through YSL Records. On December 18, 2020, YSL Records released "Take It to Trial", by Young Thug, Gunna and featuring Yak Gotti, the first single off the Slime Language 2 compilation, which followed on April 16, 2021.

2022–2024

On January 7, 2022, Gunna released his third studio album DS4Ever, which served as the fourth and final installment in his Drip Season series. On May 9, 2022, members of YSL were arrested and charged with RICO-related charges stemming from a grand jury indictment filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Both Young Thug and Gunna were among the 28 associates charged and were arrested. On May 13, 2022, YSL artist Lil Keed died at the age of 24. On December 14, 2022, Gunna took an Alford plea and was released from prison.

The trial began on November 27, 2023, following the May 2022 indictment of 28 individuals associated with YSL. It became one of the longest and most expensive criminal trials in Georgia history. It featured two judicial recusals and the arrest of two defense attorneys. There were intense disputes around the meaning of various phrases, including the meaning of the acronym YSL, and the song lyrics of the defendant's records were found to be admissible. Several defendants, including Young Thug and Gunna, entered plea agreements during the trial, resulting in prison sentences and other conditions. Other co-defendants were acquitted. The trial ended on December 3, 2024, with the remaining jury verdicts delivered.