What started as a casual livestream moment quickly turned into one of the more eyebrow-raising label disputes in recent hip-hop memory. During a June 20 session with popular content creator PlaqueBoyMax, Young Thug made a bold declaration about rapper Nine Vicious, insisting that the 23-year-old remains signed to his Young Stoner Life label and that he had not only re-signed him but also provided a substantial financial package to seal the deal.
The problem? Nine Vicious did not appear to get the memo.
Nine Vicious claps back on Instagram
Within hours of Young Thug‘s comments making the rounds online, Nine Vicious took to Instagram with a response that said everything without saying much at all. The single word he posted, a drawn-out version of a slang term essentially calling the claims false, was pointed enough to make clear where he stands. For fans and industry watchers paying close attention, the subtext was impossible to miss.
A relationship that has been complicated for a while
The tension between the two artists did not begin with this livestream. Nine Vicious was widely reported to have signed with YSL in early 2025, but by September of that same year, his public behavior on social media began raising questions about his actual status with the label.
In one telling exchange, a fan referenced a post from Nine that mentioned YSL, and he replied dismissively, suggesting he felt no real connection to the label at that point. Shortly after, screenshots of a direct message conversation surfaced in which a fan asked him directly whether he was still with YSL. His response was a flat no, followed by a remark about the music industry being built on illusions, a comment that resonated widely given his circumstances.
Despite those signals, Young Thug‘s livestream comments suggested either a disconnect between the two camps or a deliberate effort to reshape the narrative publicly.
Young Thug eyes Kodak Black collaboration
The Nine Vicious situation was not the only notable moment from Young Thug’s recent social media activity. The Atlanta rapper also expressed a strong desire to work with Kodak Black, who has recently transitioned to independence after departing from his previous label situation. Thug made clear that he would be willing to offer Kodak essentially whatever terms he wanted in order to make a collaboration happen, underscoring his continued ambition to align with major names in rap regardless of their current label status.
Nine Vicious keeps building regardless
Whatever the truth of his label situation, Nine Vicious has not slowed down creatively. In April, he released his album EMOTIONS under Create Music Group, a project that has been well received as a showcase of his artistic growth and emotional range. The release demonstrated that he is fully capable of operating and thriving outside of the YSL umbrella, whatever legal or contractual ties may or may not still exist.
What happens next
The back-and-forth between Nine Vicious and Young Thug puts a spotlight on a dynamic that plays out more often than the public realizes in the music industry, where label affiliations, contracts and public narratives do not always align. Whether the two ultimately reconcile professionally or continue down separate paths, both appear committed to their music and their individual momentum.
Young Thug confirms Nine Vicious resigned to him for millions 👀🐍 pic.twitter.com/MV7Pk2Huww
— Our Generation Music (@OGMusicCo) June 21, 2026
For now, Nine Vicious’s Instagram response may have been brief, but it spoke volumes.
Source: Hip-hop community reporting