Mariah the Scientist’s ‘Is It a Crime’ Finds New Meaning After Young Thug’s Public Apology
Mariah the Scientist's new album, Hearts Sold Separately, is already taking the internet by storm.
Her new hit single, "Is It a Crime," featuring Kali Uchis, is hitting the charts as a fan favorite. As fans are listening to Mariah's lyrics, they have a newfound fervor after Young Thug publicly apologized for his distressing behavior, following the release of leaked prison calls.
"Is It a Crime," released on July 31, examines the pull and push of love—when waiting for someone can be both a strength and a burden. Its release was accompanied by news reports about Young Thug confessing to adultery in a jail call that was leaked, then expressing regret on social media and in his music. Because of his vulnerability, Mariah's album is once again in the public eye, and her lyrics are being directly linked to their complex relationship.
Young Thug's Remarks Start a Discussion
On Sept. 7, 2025, Young Thug posted an apology to Mariah on X (formerly Twitter), stating on iHeartRadio,
“My baby, I was wrong, and I’m sorry for what I put you through. You deserved better from me. Thank you for everything, and I will do anything to make this work. You showed me what love is, and I hope I haven’t lost you forever… everybody leave her out of this, please, she’s an innocent girl…”
Reported by 103WEUP, Prior to his arrest in 2022, Thug acknowledged being unfaithful on leaked audio, which prompted the apology.
Later, he went all out in the song "Man I Miss My Dogs," rapping: "I'm sorry, baby. One of my biggest fears is losing you to the internet."
Mariah's Voice Beyond the Rumors
Fans can't help but associate Thug's apologies with Mariah's songs, but she has been clear about her own objectives. According to an interview posted by Associated Press on YouTube, she felt compelled to discuss in the song that she has been subjected to a lot of criticism for simply mentioning Young Thug. She also stated that she has grown accustomed to it, but doesn't want it to affect her or him.
She states, “I just want to be able to actively decide on my own if it's something I want to do [...] something that serving me or not serving me [...] it’s definitely been a process.”
When “Is It a Crime” Hits Like More Than a Song
Many listen to "Is It a Crime" (featuring Uchis) as though it's about Young Thug's apology, even though it's not. The song and the album as a whole, according to critics, deal with scenarios in which love, remorse, betrayal, and the desire for reconciliation all coexist.
Songs like Burning Blue and the album's opening track, Sacrifice, set the tone for the concessions made by love.
The singer states on Apple Music,” When you love somebody, you make sacrifices,” she says. “There was a point in time when there was a lot of distance in my relationship, and I feel like I had to make that sacrifice.” Amidst the sea of love songs floats one self-reliance anthem: “All along, it was me, myself, and I,” the self-professed loner sings on “More.”
Mariah's lyrics, Young Thug's apologies, and the leaked calls all touch on the same themes of vulnerability, regret, betrayal, and attempting to protect love in the face of criticism. However, there isn't a confirmed public statement from Mariah claiming that Is It a Crime specifically addresses Thug's apology or the leaked calls. Although her personal life influences her work, the artwork she creates is unique in the artistic realm she occupies.
Sold Hearts Fans are closely following Mariah's future steps, including her tour and live performances of Is It a Crime, as well as whether she will reveal more about the relationship. Meanwhile, the public debate is heating up.
Ultimately, is it a crime, and are hearts sold? Their arrival coincided with the public revelation of real-life regret; thus, they are likely to be remembered for their timeliness as much as their lyrics.
The core of Mariah the Scientist's art has always been vulnerability. At the moment, that appears to be acting as resistance as well—resistance to being defined by the errors of others.
