In January 2026, Gucci Mane was held at gunpoint inside a Dallas music studio and forced to sign papers releasing rapper Pooh Shiesty from his record contract. Two rappers, Pooh Shiesty and Big30, were arrested in connection with the incident, according to a April 2nd New York Times report.
According to officials, the armed confrontation was a coordinated effort to extract Shiesty from his contract with Gucci Mane's 1017 Records. Gucci Mane signed under duress. Two rappers were arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Who's Involved
Gucci Mane (born Radric Davis) is one of the foundational figures of Atlanta trap music — the architect of a sound and aesthetic that shaped a generation. He's also one of the most prolific discoverers of rap talent in recent history, having signed or launched the careers of Young Jeezy (in a different era, through beef), Waka Flocka, Young Thug, Future, and notably Pooh Shiesty.
Pooh Shiesty is a Memphis rapper who broke through on Gucci Mane's 1017 Records with his 2021 debut album Shiesty Season, which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. He served a federal prison sentence on a weapons charge from 2021 to 2023 and was released with significant commercial momentum still attached to his name.
Big30 is Pooh Shiesty's longtime collaborator and fellow Memphis rapper, who had been signed to Pooh Shiesty's Choppa Won't Miss Records.
The Context
Record label contract disputes in hip-hop are common — artists seeking release from deals they believe are unfavorable are a constant source of tension in the industry. What makes this incident extraordinary is the method: an armed confrontation in a music studio, with a weapon, forcing a signature.
The legal and industry implications are significant. A signature obtained under duress is not legally binding — meaning the contract release Gucci Mane signed at gunpoint would likely be unenforceable. The arrests of Pooh Shiesty and Big30 could carry serious federal charges depending on how prosecutors approach the weapons and extortion elements of the case.
This is one of the more dramatic contract disputes the music industry has seen in years — and it happened in January, with the public only now learning the full scope of what went down.
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