Two of Atlanta’s biggest hip-hop superstars are using their fame and fortune to reunite families with their loved ones.
Rappers Young Thug and Gunna posted bonds for 30 inmates at the Fulton County Jail this weekend.
The rappers said most of the men and women were being held on minor offenses but couldn’t get out because they didn’t have the money.
Channel 2′s Michael Seiden caught up with both artists at Cleveland Avenue Park on Sunday afternoon.
“This is where we are from,” said Jeffrey Williams, who is known professionally as Young Thug. “We just woke up and went to the jail with the lawyer and, you know, DA’s and the prosecutors, you know, the bonding companies and just got as many people as we can out.”
The rappers’ label, YSL Records, shared an exclusive video showing the moment dozens of inmates were released from the Fulton jail, including an emotional reunion between a father and his young son.
“You never know what somebody been through. There was people sitting out three or four years and couldn’t get out on a bond,” said Sergio Kitchens, known professionally as Gunna.
“If they did the crime, then they can do the time, then it’s all right. But it’s like you’re giving them a bond higher than what they stole,” Williams said.
This random act of kindness comes two months after Channel 2 got an exclusive look inside the Fulton County Jail where at the time there were 2,900 inmates and 400 over capacity.
“This is some of the worst conditions I’ve ever seen,” councilman Michael Bond told Channel 2 at the time.
After getting released to their families, the inmates were served a home-cooked meal and also learned that they will be featured in a brand new music video.
“It feels so good to the point where you start feeling that’s why God put me here. He put me here to do this,” Williams said.
The rappers didn’t disclose how much money they spent but told Seiden this will not be a one time thing. They plan on doing this again in the future and hope other artists will follow their lead.