Memphis rapper Pooh Shiesty, once one of hip-hop’s most explosive young talents, is free again after serving nearly three years of a 63-month federal sentence. The rapper, whose real name is Lontrell Donell Williams Jr., was released from a high-security Pennsylvania facility following his 2022 conviction on firearms conspiracy charges. His return marks a pivotal new chapter for his music and life.
Shiesty, now 25, is no longer in federal custody, according to records reviewed by FOX 13 Memphis. Sources said he is likely finishing his sentence at a monitored halfway house as part of a reentry program, underscoring the transition phase after a dramatic fall from his rapid artistic ascent.
From Chart-Topping Stardom to Federal Charges
In 2020, Shiesty’s career soared with his hit single Back in Blood and a record deal with Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records and Atlantic Records. He was widely viewed as Southern rap’s next breakout star, setting the stakes for his later legal troubles.
Shiesty’s trajectory changed in October 2020, when a violent incident during a sneaker and marijuana transaction led to federal charges. The fallout from this incident would ultimately derail his rapid ascent in the music world.
Facing severe charges, Shiesty accepted a plea deal in 2022 and admitted to conspiring to possess firearms in furtherance of serious crimes. This agreement reduced his sentence to 63 months, thereby shortening his time behind bars and providing him with another chance at his career.
Time Served, Lessons Learned
During his incarceration, Shiesty shared glimpses of his mindset on social media, affirming growth and artistic plans for when he regained his freedom. Associates reported he used the time to write extensively, preparing himself and his music for life beyond prison.
Music journalists often note that prison experiences can reshape an artist’s creative voice. “If he channels this chapter into his art, Pooh Shiesty could become one of rap’s most compelling redemption stories,” Complex’s Jayson Buford said Tuesday.
A Changed Industry Awaits
Returning to a dramatically changed hip-hop landscape, Shiesty will face the challenge of reestablishing himself in a scene transformed by new artists and trends. Analysts stress he must reconnect with fans and prove he still has a unique voice after his time away.
Late Monday, social media videos showed the rapper smiling and embracing friends at a backyard celebration. Fans erupted online with joy and speculation about new music, including a possible “first-day-out” freestyle — a tradition for artists returning from prison.
Freedom and Redemption
Details of Shiesty’s supervision are confidential, but sources familiar with reentry say he faces structured rules and oversight. This disciplined environment will test him, but it also provides a foundation for rebuilding his life and career.
Shiesty’s charisma and early promise elevated him as one of the South’s prominent young rappers. Now, his future depends on whether he can navigate the challenges of fame after incarceration and reclaim his place in the music industry.
For Shiesty, freedom is more than leaving prison — it’s a chance to rebuild identity, purpose, and trust. If history is any guide, hip-hop will watch closely as Pooh Shiesty writes his next verse.
