Young Thug's gang trial on hold

The much-delayed gang conspiracy case against Young Thug has been halted to determine whether the judge should recuse himself.

Lawyers for the Atlanta rapper and several other defendants have filed motions seeking the recusal of Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville, after he held a meeting with prosecutors and a prosecution witness at which defendants and defence attorneys were not present.

They said the meeting was "improper" and that the judge and prosecutors tried to pressure the witness, who had been granted immunity, into giving testimony.

Jurors, who were already on a break until 8 July, are to be notified that they will not be needed until the matter is resolved.

Grammy winner Young Thug, real name Jeffery Williams, was charged two years ago along with more than 20 other people of conspiring to violate Georgia's anti-racketeering law.

He is also charged with gang, drug and gun crimes, and is standing trial with five of the others indicted with him.

The Havana singer is CEO of his own record label, Young Stoner Life, or YSL.

Prosecutors allege YSL also stands for Young Slime Life, an Atlanta-based violent street gang founded by Young Thug and two others in 2012, which is responsible for violent crimes including killings, shootings and carjackings.