'I always use my music as a form of artistic expression. And now I see that black artists and rappers don't have that — young know — freedom.'
The "Young Slime Life" enterprise started as a street gang in the Cleveland Avenue area of Atlanta in 2012, according to the indictment. Williams, who also goes by "Slime," along with Murphy, who goes by "DK," and Stephens, who goes by "Tick" or "Slug," create it as an affiliate of the national Bloods gang, the court document states. Williams has been known to reference it in his songs and on social media.
"The extended middle and index fingers represent the 'Y.' The curved middle finger and curved ring finger represent the 'S.' The extended index finger and thumb represent the 'L,'" the indictment reads. "They also refer to Cleveland Avenue as 'Bleveland,' replacing the 'C' with a 'B.' Green Heart, Green Snake, Blowing Nose, and Green Vomit emojis, are also symbols commonly used by members of YSL," the indictment reads.According to the indictment, each of the 28 defendants was charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
• Miles Farley, who goes by "Slato" or "Lil Miles," was also charged with murder, two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.• Damekion Garlington, who goes by "Dee" or "Sxarfaxe," was also charged with murder, attempted murder, four counts of participation in criminal street gang activity, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
• Tenquarius Mender, who goes by Nard, who goes by "Stunna," was also charged with possession of a weapon by an incarcerated individual, possession of a telecommunication device by an incarcerated individual, and participation in criminal street gang activity.