Cheers erupted inside the Sandlot Uptown venue on Georgia Avenue on Sept. 15 as Atlanta rapper Young Thug walked into a room filled with Howard University students.
The morning before, an Instagram announcement posted by the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center at Howard University account, revealed that the rapper would speak to students at an exclusive meet-and-greet ahead of his Washington, D.C. concert that Tuesday evening.
The fireside chat was hosted by the center in collaboration with the Howard University Student Association and Undergraduate Student Assembly.
Jasmine Young, director of the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center, said the event originally came together through relationships between Howard and Warner Records.
“Young Thug has a great relationship with Warner Records,” said Young, who is also a professor at Howard’s School of Business, “Rena Bas and Celine Bub, the co-president of Atlantic Records, shared that his tour would be stopping in Washington, D.C. I was grateful to connect with them and bring this opportunity to our students.”
Jeffery Williams, professionally known as “Young Thug,” has established himself within the rap scene with his own record label, YSL Records and clothing brand, SP5DER Worldwide.
Prior to Young Thug’s arrival, volunteers and student leaders from the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center prepared the event space. There was a small stage featuring a Howard University backdrop, along with a DJ booth where Maison Smith, otherwise known as DJ SB, a freshman business management major from New York City, played music for guests.
Cayden Chapman, a freshman strategic communications major from Chicago, volunteered for the event. He said the event was an opportunity for students to hear directly from successful music professionals in a more personal setting.
“I think this event will help young people meet successful people and hear about their journey,” Chapman said. “It feels like the teachers and the administration really want us to move forward and educate their student body not only in classrooms.”
Young Thug arrived around 2:30 p.m. wearing a Howard blue-and-red varsity jacket and sunglasses. Students screamed and shouted, some even waved posters with his face on them.
Young facilitated the conversation, opening with questions about Young Thug’s journey to fame and SP5DER Worldwide.
“50,000 songs come out every day. You have to find a way to be different in this world,” Young Thug said during the chat “Being an artist is more than doing things just for money, it’s about creating.”
He also reflected on growing up feeling like a “bad kid” and eventually finding an outlet through music. The rapper discussed how his experiences during his 2024 legal proceedings changed his perspective on education.
“Lawyers, prosecutors, judges — there are so many people in the room, and they’re all so smart and speak in ways only they understand,” Young Thug said. “Education is key in this life.”
Following the conversation, students were invited to ask Young Thug questions. The excitement quickly grew as attendees raised their hands, called out for the rapper’s attention and asked him to sign their belongings.
He signed bags, shoes and even phones as students were given the microphone to ask questions.
Some asked what he had been listening to recently, while others asked whether he would perform specific songs during his concert later that night.
Another student asked whether a collaboration between SP5DER and Howard could happen. Young Thug responded that he would be open to the idea.
More hands shot up as students continued asking questions. One business student asked the rapper if cutting off his dreadlocks to maintain a more “professional look” was a smart decision.
Young Thug responded by pointing out that it was 2026 and that students should not feel like they have to change their hair to be successful.
For students interested in entertainment and music business, the event provided an opportunity to hear directly from an artist who has expanded his career beyond performing.
Faith Rogers, a freshman health science major from Houston, said “He gave us a good perspective on his career and the music industry. He talked about his clothing brand, court appearances, relationships and how his music has developed,” Rogers said.
As the event came to an end, audience members, volunteers and those involved in planning reflected on the significance of the program for students.
“Understanding the music business process gives our students amazing tools that they need for the world. We are so happy that we can provide them with educational experiences like these,” Young said.
Cyprienne Virgel Vierset, a sophomore audio production major from Los Angeles reflected on her experience as a student volunteer.
“I’m just grateful that I was able to help bring the event to life and I’m a really big fan of Young Thug, so it was really nice to help out,” she said “As someone who is looking to work in the music industry, I enjoyed watching the adults in the room, specifically his team, and seeing how everything functions.”
Vierset also noticed that Young Thug had a unique philosophy as an artist, separating financial gain from creating meaningful art.
“He had a lot of wisdom and it seemed like he was as honored to be there as we were honored to have him there,” she said.
Copy edited by Jori Johnson