DALLAS – Recently, rapper Pooh Shiesty found himself in serious legal trouble. Federal prosecutors have accused him and eight others of robbing three men at gunpoint and kidnapping them earlier this year in Texas. This incident reportedly stemmed from a contract dispute related to Gucci Mane’s record label, 1017 Records.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dallas has chosen not to disclose the names of the victims, referring to them only by their initials. One of the victims, identified as R.D., is noted to be the owner of 1017 Records, which belongs to the well-known rapper Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Delantic Davis.
This alarming confrontation took place on January 10. The three victims had traveled to Dallas under the impression they were attending a business meeting. According to the indictment filed in the Northern District of Texas, Pooh Shiesty, whose real name is Lontrell Williams Jr., had arranged this meeting to discuss his contract with 1017 Records.
Once inside the studio, things took a dangerous turn. Williams allegedly brandished an AK-style pistol and forced one of the victims to sign a release from his recording contract. Other defendants also displayed weapons, robbing the victims of watches, jewelry, cash, and other items. The situation escalated when one victim was reportedly choked nearly to the point of unconsciousness, and another defendant physically blocked the door to prevent their escape.
At the time of this incident, Williams was already under home confinement due to a previous firearms conspiracy conviction in Florida. He has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these serious allegations.
In a related note, the FBI in Memphis recently visited a home in Cordova owned by Williams as part of court-ordered warrants.
Gucci Mane, the founder of 1017 Records, is often credited as a pioneer of trap music, alongside stars like T.I. and Jeezy. He gained fame in the mid-2000s with his hit single “Icy” and has since built an impressive catalog of music through numerous mixtapes and albums. Besides his own music, he has played a significant role in launching the careers of artists such as Young Thug. Gucci Mane also received a Grammy nomination for his feature on Lizzo’s song “Exactly How I Feel.”
Gucci Mane continues to be active, not only releasing new music but also engaging in various business ventures. His 2025 album “Episodes” and his 2017 memoir, “The Autobiography of Gucci Mane,” highlight his journey as an artist and his personal struggles, including battles with mental health issues like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In recent years, he has focused on promoting sobriety and stability in his life.
___ Associated Press reporters Adrian Sainz in Memphis and Jonathan Landrum Jr. in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
