Hip-hop commentator DJ Akademiks recently shared a pointed message for rapper Young Thug, whose highly anticipated return to music follows his release from prison last month. With fans expecting big things, Akademiks stressed the importance of Thug’s next album, suggesting that anything less than stellar could lead to disappointment, especially in comparison to Gunna’s recent success.

After more than two years in jail on RICO charges, Young Thug accepted a plea deal and quickly returned to the studio, where he was seen collaborating with stars like Travis Scott, Future, and Lil Baby. But during a recent stream, Akademiks advised the rapper to be mindful of his choices. “Thug, if your first album ain’t hotter than Gunna’s last album? Bruh, we might tell ’em ‘we’re good,'” he said, highlighting the challenge of meeting high expectations after time away from the music scene.

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Akademiks speculated that Young Thug, having been incarcerated, might not fully understand the current state of the hip-hop landscape. “Listen, you in the studio, Baby is like a block of ice. So if you think you was gonna go in there to cook up some heat? You need to throw a Baby out first,” Akademiks added, noting that Thug would need to bring his absolute best to match the energy and style resonating with today’s audience. According to him, fans prioritize the quality of music over rumors and conflicts, suggesting that Gunna’s popularity isn’t likely to fade based on controversies alone.

This commentary comes on the heels of an apparent online jab Young Thug directed at Gunna on X, where he posted, “Gunna stop acting like we friends on the internet, I don’t know u my guy.” Akademiks responded, claiming he sensed underlying tension for a while and even theorized that Thug’s recent legal move to contact Gunna was purely business-related.

As Young Thug prepares for his musical comeback, the pressure is high. Whether he can recapture his audience and live up to the hype remains to be seen, but DJ Akademiks’ blunt words signal the expectations his fans will have when he finally drops his new work.