Young Thug made a big comeback at the 2025 Summer Smash festival in Chicago. He brought out Travis Scott for a surprise performance of their hit song “Hot.” Fans loved the show but many asked why Gunna was not there.
Young Thug headlined the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash on June 22. This was his first major performance since being released from prison in October 2024. The rapper spent over two years behind bars due to a legal case.
The crowd at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, went wild when Travis Scott joined Young Thug on stage. They performed “Hot (Remix)” together. Scott also sang his solo hit “FE!N.” The surprise appearance was one of the highlights of the night.
However, many fans online were disappointed that Gunna did not join them. Gunna was part of the original version of “Hot.” Some fans said the song was not the same without him.
“Why didnt he bring out gunna too,” one fan wrote on X.
“Gunna’s verse was the best on this song,” another person tweeted.
“This is only a story if Gunna comes out,” a third fan added.
Young Thug and Gunna were once close friends and collaborators. Both were arrested in 2022 as part of the same legal case. Gunna took a deal to get out of jail early, while Thug stayed in prison longer. Since then, rumors say they are no longer friends.
During his performance, Young Thug even censored Gunna’s name in one of their old songs. This made fans believe the rumors are true. Thug also recently released a song where he seemed to call Gunna a “rat,” which is slang for someone who tells secrets to the police.
The festival was a big moment for Young Thug. He opened his set with “Take It to Trial,” a song that references his time in jail. He also brought out other special guests, including rapper T.I. and producer London on da Track.
T.I. joined him to perform their 2014 hit “About the Money.” Ken Carson, another rapper, came out to preview a new song from Thug’s upcoming album UY Scuti. The album is expected to release soon.
Some fans at the show said the crowd was not as excited as they expected.
“L crowd,” one person posted online.
“Is it me or is this crowd not vibing to this,” another added.
Despite this, many fans were happy to see Young Thug back on stage. His performance was seen as a big step in his comeback.
Before the festival, Young Thug and Travis Scott were spotted in the studio together. In November 2024, a photo showed them working with other rappers like Future and Lil Baby. Some people joked they were forming a team against Gunna.
Meanwhile, Travis Scott is dealing with his own drama. Rapper Pusha T recently dissed him in a new song. Pusha T accused Scott of being disloyal in the music industry. Scott has not responded to the diss yet.
Young Thug’s performance at Summer Smash proved he is still a major star. Fans are now waiting for his new album and more live shows.
