Atlanta hip-hop titan Young Thug made a powerful comeback to the stage last night (June 22) at the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash festival near Chicago, marking his first major performance since his October 2024 release from prison, per spin.com. The highly anticipated set was amplified by surprise appearances from Travis Scott and mentor T.I., exhilarating a massive crowd.
Thugga’s headlining performance, which closed out the three-day festival, showcased a mix of fan favorites, live debuts, and rarities. Kicking off with tracks from “Slime Language 2,” the set quickly moved into hits like “Killed Before” and “Jumped Out the Window.” The energy soared when Travis Scott joined him 15 songs in, delivering his electrifying verse from “Hot” and igniting the audience with “FEIN.”
A respectful nod to his roots, T.I. graced the stage, introduced affectionately by Thug as an “old head,” to perform “About the Money,” a track significant to Young Thug’s early career. Looking to the future, Thug also brought out Ken Carson for the live debut of “R.I.P Scuti,” a new song expected on his upcoming album, “UY Scuti.”
The set concluded with a cover of Lil Baby’s “Dum, Dumb, and Dumber” and “Money on Money.” Having been incarcerated since May 2022, Young Thug’s return marks a significant moment for his career. He is scheduled to perform at several European festivals next month.
•Featured image: Travis Scott & Young Thug at Summer Smash 2025 outside Chicago/Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images
