Unstoppable: Pooh Shiesty on Prison, Faith, and the ‘Revised’ Persona Ready to Claim Hip-Hop’s Crown

Pooh Shiesty is no stranger to the spotlight, but his recent return from incarceration marks the beginning of a new chapter—a “second chance,” as he calls it—defined by a sharpened focus, a stronger faith, and an aggressive determination to claim his spot at the top of the rap game. In his most honest interview to date, the Memphis artist offers an unfiltered look into the mental and emotional crucible of his time inside, detailing the lessons learned, the habits forged, and the fierce new musical energy he’s unleashing upon the world. This is the story of Pooh Shiesty’s transformation, his new plan for dominance, and his conviction that he is now, truly, “unstoppable.”

The Birth of the “Revised Pooh Shiesty”

Upon his return, Pooh Shiesty made it clear that the man who left is not the man who came back. He describes his current state as “mixed feelings,” acknowledging the excitement and anticipation alongside the immense pressure of a global fan base waiting for his next move. The core of his identity shift is encapsulated in the concept of the “revised Pooh Shiesty.”

“The new me for people who may not know is like the new and improved, the more clean version, like the more focused Bruce, clearer vision,” he states. This clarity of vision—a profound sense of purpose gained in isolation—is the engine driving his current momentum. He recognizes the opportunity before him as a rare gift, a true second run that he is determined not to fumble, especially after the immense success of his hit single, “Back in Blood,” which recently went 8x Platinum, a “crazy” milestone that fuels his belief in his own capability.

This new mindset directly informed his first release, the track “FDO” (First Day Out), which he knew he had to lead with. The song was conceived during his time inside but required his return to finish, allowing him to authentically rap about the experience of his welcome home and the new energy he’s bringing. His goal is not to rehash the past but to deliver authenticity, keeping his cadence and flow “original” and “one of a kind.”

The Prison Crucible: Isolation, Faith, and Lost Raps

The rapper speaks openly about the hard times, specifically the doubts and the struggle, using them as primary motivators. He surprisingly reveals that his most productive time for creativity was when he was most isolated—in the “hole” or “a different type of environment in jail”—because he was “by myself, alone, I got all day, no distractions.”

This intense focus led to massive amounts of writing. He filled notebooks and notepads, writing raps on anything available: “an envelope, a shot, incident report, a napkin.” However, one of the most significant setbacks of his incarceration was the loss of his property. During a transfer to another facility, three years’ worth of written raps and notes went missing, forcing him to start over. This loss served as a strange motivation, compelling him to write a new “First Day Out” upon his release, fueled by a desire to prove that he could create new material of equal or greater quality.

His relationship with God was also a bedrock of his survival and transformation. He states that his connection with faith “strengthened me and kept me going,” describing how his prayers and thoughts came to fruition upon his release. This deep belief, coupled with the constant prayers of his supporters, instilled in him the faith that he would return home and offered a sense of security even when his second chance was not guaranteed.

New Habits and Lessons Learned

Pooh Shiesty credits his time inside with forcing him to adopt “a lot of good habits” that he plans to carry forward.

Key Habits:

• Working Out: He started consistently working out, a habit he “never worked out before” in his life.

• Reading: He boosted his “reading game” by reading “all day long,” moving past his previous disinterest in picking up books.

• Decision Making: Most importantly, he learned to differentiate between “rational and irrational decisions,” focusing on thinking before acting and working on his temper.

• Communication: He learned to “communicate better,” viewing the experience as a way to “see the good in situations.”

He is now hyper-aware of avoiding the “same type of scenarios” that led to his incarceration. The constant memory of the “hard times and the nasty food” and the simple discomfort of his back hurting in the cell serve as perpetual reminders. His priority is now on moving forward, steering clear of old patterns, and changing up his “people, places, and things” to secure the life he has ahead of him.

Industry Support and Mentorship

The rapper did not go through his ordeal alone. He details the unwavering support he received from numerous industry heavyweights, calling their communication a “country reminder” of his worth and what was waiting for him outside.

Key Supporters and Mentors:

• Lil Durk and Lil Baby: Durk was “one [who] wasn’t missing a beat,” checking in with his people. Baby, 42 Dugg, Gotti, and Gucci also reached out consistently.

• Gucci Mane: Gucci Mane’s comeback after prison was a major source of inspiration. Pooh Shiesty “took notes” on how Gucci “switched it up, how he toned up, got fit, got his mind healthy.” This served as proof that the transformation was possible. He recounts a powerful exchange where Gucci told him he was lucky to “go see what I saw at 35 years old” at the young age of 20, stressing the importance of getting the hard lessons “out the way early” to take advantage of his second chance.

Shiesty even reached out to fellow rapper Lil Durk, who is currently facing his own legal battles. He passed on the wisdom he gained, urging Durk to “stay focused,” “keep all the distractions,” and “stay in that book.” He even recommended the book Busted by the Feds, emphasizing that Durk needs to keep his head up to get back out and win more Grammys.

The Unstoppable Future: CMO and Global Plans

Looking forward, Pooh Shiesty’s ambition extends far beyond the music itself. He is focused on growing his brand, CMO (“Can’t Miss Opportunities”), which is so central to his identity that it’s carved into his face. The brand represents taking advantage of all chances and focusing on community rebuilding, helping the youth with things like scholarships and job traits.

His plan for 2026 is comprehensive:

1. Music Takeover: “Take over on all platforms,” “climb back up these charts,” and “stay consistent” with music drops.

2. Versatility: He is committed to getting “more versatile” and “switching it up,” even wanting to try a rock song or country song—a desire to “touch all bases” and go global.

3. Business Focus: Outside of music, he wants to be “way more business oriented” and rebuild relationships that were lost or strained during his absence.

He chose the word “unstoppable” to describe himself because he believes he can no longer be halted. He sees the current hip-hop landscape as “up for grabs,” making this the perfect time for his resurgence. He is pushing the Memphis rap scene to the forefront, calling it “lit,” and is focused on collaborations and big plans to ensure the city’s unique energy is felt globally.

Despite currently being on an ankle bracelet, which he is focused on viewing as simply “part of the plan,” Pooh Shiesty’s mind is on the future. He sees the ankle bracelet as a temporary phase before he is able to travel and return to touring. His greatest piece of advice to anyone in the street life is a somber warning: “Ain’t nothing worth leaving this and going in there, and ain’t nothing worth not leaving dead and there come back out here.” For Pooh Shiesty, the façade, the street notoriety, and the fake image are all “not worth it.” He is committed to this second chance—to staying focused, getting the money, and taking care of the opportunity he has to provide for all his people. He is no longer playing a game; he is on a mission.