BUSINESS IS BUSINESS

Business Is Business (stylized in all caps) is the third studio album by American rapper Young Thug. It was released on June 23, 2023, through YSL Records and was distributed by Atlantic Records and 300 Entertainment. The album features guest appearances from Drake, Future, 21 Savage, Travis Scott, Yak Gotti, Lil Uzi Vert, BSlime, Lil Gotit and Nate Ruess. Production was handled by Metro Boomin, David x Eli, Kid Masterpiece, Zinobeatz, Aviator Keyyz, Wheezy, Dez Wright, D. Rich, London on da Track, Dr. Luke, FnZ, BoogzDaBeast, Allen Ritter, Dre Moon, F1lthy, Jonah Abraham, Southside, Bobby Raps, Peter Lee Johnson, and Bak. The album marks Thug's first project since his arrest on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges in May 2022, in which he released the album while he was still in jail. It serves as the follow-up to his previous album, Punk (2021).
Background
On May 9, 2022, Young Thug was arrested in a massive gang indictment alongside multiple other affiliates of his record label, Young Stoner Life, with one of them notably being fellow American rapper Gunna, who turned himself in two days later, and also Yak Gotti, who also appears on the album. The 28 defendants were later charged with 56 counts related to gang activity and racketeering. At the time of the release of the album, he was still incarcerated and has been denied bond several times. Thug has since pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His trial is expected to start in July 2023. In reference to the situation, the album cover depicts Thug in a courtroom surrounded by co-defendants. The record was announced on the rapper's social media on June 22, 2023. American record producer Metro Boomin, who also serves as the executive producer of the album, later shared the announcement on his social media in support of the rapper. He had previously posted a QR code leading to a countdown on his website with the album title and tagged Thug on June 16. The clock was also shared by fellow rappers and producers Drake, Chance the Rapper, Gunna, Don Toliver, Quavo, Doe Boy, Lil Durk, 21 Savage, G Herbo, Ty Dolla Sign, Chase B, London on da Track, Southside and Wheezy.