Key Takeaways
- In January 2026, Memphis rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30, both 26, allegedly led an “armed takeover” at Gucci Mane’s Dallas studio, forcing him to sign a release at gunpoint; they and several associates were later arrested on federal kidnapping and robbery charges and now face the possibility of life in prison if convicted.
- Memphis rapper Pooh Shiesty rose to prominence after his 2019 debut “Hell Night,” signed with Gucci Mane’s 1017 label in 2020, and quickly became a standout through collaborations, the compilation So Icy Summer, and his breakthrough 2021 mixtape Shiesty Season, even as he faced multiple arrests and a federal prison sentence.
- On Friday, April 10th, Gucci Mane drops "Crash Dummy," a song where he addresses and seemingly confirms the encounter with Pooh Shiesty. On the song, which is produced by Zaytoven, he raps "I walk in the room, you can feel the pressure building/N***a dapped me up there, whole time they plotting against me," Gucci raps, referring to his robbery and kidnapping that Pooh allegedly led.
Pooh Shiesty and fellow Memphis rapper Big30 were arrested and charged with kidnapping their label boss, Gucci Mane—real name Radric Davis—sending shockwaves through the rap world yesterday.
Shiesty, born Lontrell Denell Williams Jr., was released from prison in October of 2025 and dropped his most recent single, “FDO,” in December.
According to the Department of Justice, just one month later, Shiesty, 30, and unnamed affiliates traveled to Gucci’s studio in Dallas, Texas. There, they participated in an “armed takeover,” forcing an unnamed victim—in this case that would be Gucci Mane, who the papers refer to as “R.D.”—to sign a record label release at gunpoint. Eight of the nine defendants were arrested and charged with kidnapping and armed robbery. There is also still one suspect who hasn’t been caught.
Pooh and his co-defendants could face life in prison if convicted.
Making matters more knotty is that It’s also emerged that Shiesty had recently garnered significant interest from Yo Gotti and his CMG label. Making matters more tricky is that Gotti and Gucci have had a strained relationship going back years.
How did the relationship between Gucci Mane and one of the few artists still signed to his 1017 imprint escalate this quickly? Check out the full timeline of their history below.
March 15, 2019: Pooh Shiesty Debuts with “Hell Night”
Back in 2019, Pooh Shiesty emerged with his debut single, “Hell Night.” Released independently, the Memphis rapper began making noise both in his city and across the south. His string of singles eventually attracted the attention of Gucci Mane, who was both a superstar in his own right and a label boss with his 1017 Records imprint.
June 19, 2020: The duo link up on “Still Remember”
Pooh Shiesty inked a deal with Gucci and his imprint, distributed through Atlantic Records. They celebrated the announcement by sharing a collaborative single, “Still Together.” On the track, Shiesty shouts out their relationship, rapping:
“Wop came and got me, this shit ain’t no dream/ Big Shiesty and Gucci like Shaq and Kareem/ I got up and took it, couldn’t wait on a blessing/ Shakin’ them dice, tryna roll me a seven.”
July 3, 2020: Shiesty stars on So Icy Summer
Gucci and his 1017 affiliates released a compilation entitled So Icy Summer, which featured a number of new songs from Gucci and other artists on his roster. The album included another collaboration between the label boss and Shiesty on “Who Is Him.”
October 13, 2020: Shiesty is arrested
Shortly into his 1017 tenure, the rapper was arrested stemming from his connection to a shooting that occurred in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida. He faced charges including armed robbery, aggravated assault, battery, and criminal theft.
February 5, 2021: Shiesty releases Shiesty Season
Widely seen as his breakthrough, Shiesty’s debut mixtape both served as a confirmation of Gucci’s investment and the first sign that the MC had the star power to exist outside of the confines of 1017.
June 9, 2021: Another arrest
Williams Jr. was again arrested, this time due to his being connected to a strip club shooting in Miami. He was held without bond and remained in jail. Twenty days later, he was officially indebted over the Bay Harbor robbery and shooting. On July 8, he was ordered by a federal judge to be held without bond.
January 4, 2022: Shiesty pleads guilty to federal conspiracy charges
Then, three months following the guilty plea, he was sentenced to five years and three months in prison.
April 29, 2022: Shiesty releases Shiesty Season: Certified
Just nine days into his term, a new Shiesty album drops in the form of Shiesty Season: Certified. At 32 songs, it seems to be an attempt at offering fans some music to hold them over until his legal issues become more clear. It features two tracks co-starring Gucci.
October 18, 2024: Gucci Mane Drops All 1017 Artists…Except Pooh Shiesty and Foogiano
"This is a decision I didn't want to make," Gucci Mane said in a video announcing he was dropping almost his entire 1017 roster. "Today, I reached out to all of my artists, to their lawyers, and let them know that they're free to take their talents elsewhere."
Gucci chalked the move up to P&L — profit and loss — decisions. Interestingly, he also revealed he was looking to sign new talent.
October 6, 2025: Shiesty is free
The rapper was released on October 6, 2025, after having served three years. He drops “FDO” two months later.
January, 2026: Shiesty garners interest from Yo Gotti’s CMG Records
Now, arriving at the drama that has unfolded recently. In the early days of 2026, Shiesty was apparently offered a record deal by Yo Gotti and his CMG Records.
January 10, 2026: Pooh Shiesty and Big30 head to Dallas
Pooh Shiesty and Big30 traveled to Gucci Mane’s studio in Dallas, Texas and conducted an “armed takeover”of a Dallas recording studio. The move was allegedly made in response to a label dispute between Gucci and Shiesty. Many are surmising that Gucci was less willing to let his star artist depart from CMG than Shiesty anticipated. During the attempted abduction, Gucci was forced to sign a contract at gunpoint.
April 2, 2026: Pooh Shiesty, Big30, and other suspects are arrested
Shiesty and Big30 were arrested alongside multiple other suspects on federal robbery and kidnapping charges in Texas, according to an announcement from the Department of Justice. According to the statement, nine people, including Shiesty and 30, orchestrated an “armed takeover.”
April 10, 2026: Gucci Mane drops “Crash Dummy” a song about the alleged assault
Gucci Mane breaks his silence with a new track. On "Crash Dummy," he seemingly addresses what happened in very explicit terms. "Tell the truth, you went out like a real crash dummy, and after all that, boy, you still signed to me," he raps.
Elsewhere on the track, he maintains that he was looking forward to what he "thought" was a business meeting — only to find out "it was a setup."
Referring to the robbery and kidnapping that Pooh allegedly orchestrated, Gucci raps, "I walk in the room, you can feel the pressure building/N***a dapped me up there, whole time they plotting against me."Gucci Mane breaks his silence and he does it by recording a song. Gucci releases “Crash Dummy” where he seemingly addresses what happened, in very explicit terms. On the song he raps, “Tell the truth, you went out like a real crash dummy, and after all that, boy, you still signed to me,” he raps on the song.
