The YSL joint venture: Against Da Grain, Young Thug and Young Stoner Life Records

In 2021 Against Da Grain signed a joint venture with Young Thug and his label, Young Stoner Life Records. For a label built on finding artists before the market does, the deal connected Fly Ty's A&R instincts to one of the most influential camps in Atlanta.

The clearest product of the partnership is “Baby Don't Cry”, Philmon Lee's single with Young Thug, released on 20 January 2023 through Epic Records. It pairs Lee's soul vocal with a guitar riff and a Young Thug verse, and it is the record that introduced the LaGrange, Georgia singer to Young Thug's audience.

Young Thug had co-signed Jamie Ray's country-trap records earlier, and Gunna's verdict on the venture is recorded on the label's own timeline. The joint venture sits on the stat rail because it is the label's most visible creative partnership rather than a number.