COLLEGE PARK, Ga. – The 2025-2026 educational yr is starting once more and for a lot of Georgia college students the courses and homework assignments aren’t the toughest a part of being a scholar. At Skyview Excessive Faculty, the scholars are sometimes on their final go-round with faculty, and something optimistic to kick off the college yr can be an excellent sight. Enter: Jeffery Williams.
Strolling right into a small anti-room behind the constructing, Williams, 33, was accompanied by his lawyer Brian Metal and a few safety. Carrying a white tank prime, blue shorts, a hat, and black-framed glasses, he instantly took a seat on the entrance of the room and commenced taking questions. He was at Skyview to speak to children about what street to not take. A Grammy-nominated rapper and cultural influences on hundreds of thousands of individuals all over the world, he has an attention-grabbing story to inform.
“I’m a celebrity. My phrases imply one thing, however I’ve to do the precise factor with them. Individuals hearken to me,” Williams stated.
Williams advised the scholars, mother and father, and faculty school in attendance that he believed it’s good for him to speak on to college students earlier than they get in hassle like he was in. Williams needed to get judicial permission to be able to be in Fulton County on Friday. He needs the scholars to consider how they act and watch out who they spend their time with.
“Gangs and weapons, I feel that’s lame. I want I had somebody like me to speak to me about that once I was in class,” Williams stated.
Introduced up on RICO fees again in 2022, Williams, mostly recognized by his rap moniker Younger Thug, was dealing with a long time in jail. On the primary morning of August, Younger Thug was speaking to younger individuals about what to not do, so that they don’t find yourself within the authorized and life-altering predicament he was most not too long ago concerned in.
His message appeared clear: I tousled and I don’t ever need to undergo that once more.
“I really feel like violence isn’t the factor. It’s corny, it’s not the factor to do,” Williams stated. Gangs, it’s simply not cool. I’m glad I’ve the chance for y’all to listen to me say it.”
Requested what he thought it means for Williams to come back to Skyview Excessive Faculty to speak to the scholars, mother and father, and college, the morning’s MC, Greg Clay, the manager director of the Mayor’s Workplace of Constituent Providers and a board member at SkyView Excessive Faculty, stated Williams was talking to younger people who have had comparable educational conditions from his.
“He’s a former younger individual that went to another faculty, so to talk to those college students is necessary,” Clay stated. “I feel it’s inspirational and it speaks lots to the chance all of us need to changing into higher and the dedication all of us need to changing into higher.”
Throughout the go to, which lasted slightly below an hour, Williams shared tales from his scholastic previous, and what he regrets from his previous and current.
Williams, who stated his largest remorse was dropping out of highschool, took images with college students and answered extra questions after the occasion was carried out. Kris Buchanan, a former scholar at Skyview and an admitted Younger Thug super-fan, stated he was excited when he realized The Atlanta-born rapper was coming to his former faculty.
“It put a smile on my face,” Buchanan, 19, stated. “I’m simply glad, as a result of he might be out making $500,000 at a live performance someplace, and he’s hear to talk to us.”
Demetrius Sims, 18, can be a fan of Williams’ music and stated he couldn’t consider he was right here at Skyview.
“It feels nice. He’s one in all my idols,” Sims, who sat within the entrance row, stated. “It’s a blessing to lastly meet him.”
Carrying a black hood over his head and black denims, Alijah Reed, 17, was contained in the room an hour earlier than Williams arrived. A scholar at Skyview, Reed stated he typically listens to Williams’ music earlier than and after faculty.
“I really feel like Younger Thug’s music speaks to me,” Reed, a resident of Atlanta, stated. “I feel it’s cool that he’s coming right here immediately. When he raps, it’s like you may really feel it.”
Williams has kids, and stated he talks to them, together with a 14-year-old son, about what he believes is correct, he talked about speaking to God various occasions whereas at Skyview, and shared that he had loads of personal conversations with God throughout his incarceration.
“The impression that I’ve in Atlanta, I can solely assist if y’all hear, however you’ve bought to hear,” Williams stated. “The plan that God has bought for you, it’s a must to have sense to be able to hearken to it.”
Clay stated there have been talks about working with Williams sooner or later.
The grandmother of a scholar at Skyview wished to make use of her alternative to ask Williams a query to thank him for displaying up on a Friday. She was seated subsequent to her granddaughter who’s a scholar at Skyview.
“I do know Younger Thug from TV, however now I can say I’ve seen you in individual,” she stated. “Thanks for coming right here immediately.”
Associated
