Pooh Shiesty knew how important his first record back needed to be when he walked out of federal prison last October. After serving three years on firearms and drug charges, the Memphis rapper — Billboard’s first-ever Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month — wasted no time reasserting himself with the fiery comeback track “FDO.”
Peaking at No. 12 on the Hot 100 earlier this month, “FDO” (short for “First Day Out”) is a smash-mouth, no-holds-barred record. Like an uncaged pitbull, Shiesty blitzes the track with callous disregard, reminding fans exactly why he became one of rap’s most coveted prospects after erupting out of Memphis in 2021 with his Lil Durk-assisted club starter “Back in Blood.”
“I was just getting started when I got locked up,” Shiesty tells Billboard over Zoom. “I was only rapping for like a year in total. Before I even got signed, I ain’t learn everything that I needed to learn. I look at me when I got locked up versus when I got out — it’s totally different ways of rap. It’s only gonna get better and better.”
This week, “FDO” sits at No. 41 on the Hot 100, and is serving as the launching pad for Shiesty’s return to performance mode. In May, he’ll hit the Rolling Loud stage in Orlando alongside NBA YoungBoy, Playboi Carti and more big-name hitmakers.
Below, Billboard catches up with Shiesty to discuss the rigors of returning to the studio, the creation of “FDO,” what his first day out of prison entailed, and what’s next for him.
When you were writing in jail, is it true you were writing songs on toilet paper and T-shirts?
Yeah, whatever I can get my hand on. Sometimes, I ain’t have paper. Sometimes, I ain’t have pencils or pens. We had to make it work.
How were you able to maintain your creative energy in prison on a day-to-day basis?
I stay motivated. I knew what was out there, and who I was before being in here. You can strip me away from everything and I’m still going to be him. So I just think [I] stayed motivated, focused and knew the end goals. I was always used to coming up with something and keeping my imagination going.
You said your first day out of prison as one of the best moments in your life besides getting your first record deal. What was so special about that time?
Just everything. Walking out the door and never looking back. Knowing that this wasn’t my final destination, you know? There’s a lot of people who got stuck, caught up, f–ked up or done the worst way and couldn’t come back the same. Knowing I came back without a scratch on me, got my freedom back and walking out to see the sky with nothing blocked around me — no wall, cage or locked doors — felt good. I had the fantasy experience that motherf–kers wished for. I felt that way.
Did you feel any pressure to deliver on “FDO,” especially knowing you’re coming behind records that 2Pac, Gucci Mane and Tee Grizzley made famous?
I ain’t gonna say there was pressure — but with the greats having theirs, I had to come with it. Because if I’m gonna do it, it gotta be compared to the top. I knew I had to come with it. That’s when my confidence kicked in. I know who I am, I know how I talk it and walk it. It was easy — it just had to be done. I knocked it out and now it’s history.
What was the recording process for “FDO” when you finally settled in and got home?
I had another song that I was doing. I never was gonna come out and name it “FDO,” “First Day Out,” or “Last Day In,” or something like that. It was going to be already different. The vibe I had at first, I was like, ‘Nah, my energy wasn’t all the way there. F–k it. Let’s do a ‘First Day Out’ [record]. Let’s do it this way. Let me turn up and get more aggressive.'” It did what it did. I chose that over the first one, but I kept the first song, too. It’s still good. It’s called “Last Scene.” That was gonna be the first original “First Day Out.”
You’ve always had a certain level of aggression with rapping, which intensified on “FDO.” Where did that energy come from versus your previous records?
It’s different. I ain’t gon’ say that record versus “Last Scene,” I’mma say that record versus the last time y’all heard me. You gotta think about it, I was in jail more time than I was rapping. The times I was rapping versus the time I got out is way different. I talk way different. I got more lingo and got way more experience. I’m five years older. Faster, smarter, sober [and] wiser.
You’re been announced as one of the artists to perform at Rolling Loud this May. Are you already over the idea of possibly performing your hit “Back in Blood” knowing it was made before you went to prison?
Nah, pieces like that is timeless music. I was in my bag all the way. No matter how old or smarter I got, I was ahead of my time right there. You can play that forever, and it’s gonna do what it’s gonna do ,’cause it’s good work. I love the club. I know that motherf–ker gon’ rock. I can’t wait to play “FDO” in the club. I can’t wait to hear that.
Where do you rank “FDO” in terms of “First Day Out” records?
No. 1. It’s the highest-charting [song], highest capacity of popping s–t, [and] talking s–t. That’s how you do it. You’re supposed to take your time with this s–t. Do it slow, so you can do it some more. If you move fast, then you won’t really last. I believe in that and always preached that. We’re trying to be great.
What was Gucci’s reaction to hearing your “FDO” record since he has one of his own?
He went crazy. He couldn’t believe it.
You and GloRilla were in the studio together recently. How was that session?
That’s my dog. I’ve been f–king with Glo for a minute, so it was just like we can’t wait to see each other to get that chemistry up and build that bond. We have a lot of sh-t in common. We moving like we’re relatable. Sh-t perfect. She’s like a little female version of me. She hard. I f–k with Glo tough.
View this post on InstagramWhat does a Pooh Shiesty debut album sound like?
Greatness. We’re getting this production up. We’re making this s–t be A-1. We’re having a whole lot of substance and quality to this s–t now. We ain’t just freestyling no more. The rookie season is over with. It’s time for the max. You gotta look at this sh-t like basketball, sometimes. It’s time to pop. S–t is going number one. You can see us doing another interview again. Popping it, man. That’s all I know.
I’m gonna call you Supermax Pooh.
Super Max Shiesty. You onto something with that one.
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