YFN Lucci Levels Up: From Prison to Platinum and a New Chapter in Atlanta Rap
Rayshawn Lamar Bennett, known professionally as YFN Lucci, is charting a new course after a tumultuous period that included a prison sentence and a high-profile RICO case. Released from prison in January 2025, the 35-year-old Atlanta rapper is focused on music, business, and family, marking what he calls a “level up” in his life.
“I just wanted to hear myself again,” Lucci told XXL in a November interview, reflecting on his first studio session after his release. The experience was a stark contrast to the “lonely nights” and lack of creative outlet he endured during his incarceration at Forsyth, Georgia’s Burruss Correctional Training Center.
Lucci’s return to the music scene culminated in the release of Already Legend on September 26, 2025. The album, which sold 28,800 equivalent album units in its first week, represents an “exhale years in the making,” according to XXL. It’s a project born from enduring a prison attack, navigating rumors of betrayal, and finding a voice to “speak out” after years of silence.
Four-and-a-half years prior, at the peak of his career, Lucci faced 13 RICO charges that threatened to derail his momentum. He had established himself as a prominent figure in the Atlanta rap scene with his “blend of blood-stained melodies and aspirational theme songs,” but his freedom—and career—were put on hold. He ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of violation of Georgia’s Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
Now, Lucci is embracing a more mature outlook. He’s launched his own record label, Already Legend, and signed fellow Atlanta rapper BHM Pezzy. He’s also exploring real estate investments, stating, “I’m working on trying to purchase buildings right now, too.”
Family remains a central focus. Lucci expressed a desire to spend more quality time with his four children, cherishing the opportunity to be “present” in their lives. “I finally can hold them and be present,” he said. “I always spent time with my family and my kids, but just spending more time. I know you can’t never get that time back.”
The road to this point was marked by tragedy. Lucci turned himself in to police in January 2021 following a shooting in Atlanta where his friend, James Adams, was fatally wounded. He was later indicted in a RICO case connected to the incident. The experience, coupled with rumors questioning his loyalty, took a toll.
During his time in prison, Lucci faced isolation, attacks on his character, and even a physical assault, being stabbed by another inmate in March 2022. His creative director, Gilles, visited him during a period of strict pandemic-era restrictions, witnessing firsthand the distress of a man stripped of his freedom and accustomed to a certain lifestyle.
Gilles encouraged Lucci to focus on self-improvement, providing him with books like The Four Agreements and The 50th Law. They also maintained a notebook, dubbed “We Are Making History,” to document future plans and legal strategies.
A potential truce with Young Thug, facilitated by 21 Savage, also emerged during this period. Despite past conflicts, a mutual understanding was reached, resulting in both artists appearing on each other’s latest albums, UY Scuti and Already Legend, respectively.
Lucci acknowledges a shift in perspective. “Back then I took a lot of sh*t personally, but now I know it ain’t personal; it’s business,” he stated. He’s currently promoting Already Legend with a nationwide tour, including a performance at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, a venue he previously graced before his incarceration.
“It was emotional,” Lucci said of the Atlanta show. “I knew I was back.” He insists he’s not finished, and is determined to continue building his legacy.
