Gunna issues statement on RICO case: “The picture that is being painted of me is ugly and untrue”
nme.comGunna has issued a statement about his current incarceration on racketeering charges, stating that he is “being falsely accused and will never stop fighting” to clear his name.After being named in a 28-person grand jury indictment that also included Young Thug earlier this month, the rapper (real name Sergio Kitchens) was taken into custody on May 11 and charged with conspiracy to violate the state of Georgia’s RICO Act.The indictment centres around the YSL record label and collective, allegedly formed by Thug (real name Jeffery Lamar Williams) in 2012, which authorities claim is a “criminal street gang”.
Part of the indictment is based around Williams, Kitchens and other YSL associates’ lyrics and social media posts allegedly being “acts in furtherance of the conspiracy”.Gunna has been denied bond, with his trial scheduled to begin on January 9, 2023.
He has pleaded not guilty.In a new statement shared on Tuesday (June 14) – the same day as the rapper’s 29th birthday – Gunna said: “As a Black Man in America, it seems as though my art is only acceptable when I’m a source of entertainment for the masses.”You can check out the full statement below:2022 has been one of the best years of my life, despite this difficult situation.This year I had the whole world pushing P.Growing up from where I come from in a marginalized neighborhood, I never dreamt my art would change my life and the lives of my loved ones.
My entire life, I’ve seen Black Men, Black Women and Black Children consistently attacked, hated, murdered, berated, belittled, silenced, judged, used and held captive.I used my art form, my gift from God, to change my circumstance.
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