Pooh Shiesty

Lontrell Donell Williams, Jr. (born November 8, 1999), better known by his stage name Pooh Shiesty, is an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. He signed with Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, an imprint of Atlantic Records in 2020, he rose to prominence following his collaborations with the label's founder and cohorts. That same year, his single "Back in Blood" (featuring Lil Durk) peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It preceded the release of his debut commercial mixtape Shiesty Season (2021), which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. His stage name was given by his late brother, who adapted his childhood nickname "Mr. Pooh" with the vernacular slang term "shiesty"—referential of his lifestyle.

Early life and education
Shiesty is from Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up in the Cane Creek Apartments on the south side. He lived in Pflugerville, Texas, for two years. When he returned to Memphis, he took summer school to help him graduate high school. He began focusing on music at age 18.

2019–2020: Commercial debut
Pooh Shiesty started off his career with his debut single, "Hell Night", featuring fellow rapper Big30, which was released on March 15, 2019, followed by the official music video on February 19, 2020. "Shiesty Summer" was then released five months later, on August 20, 2019, succeeded by the music video the following day. His collaborative single "Choppa Talk" with Big30 was released only three days later, on August 23, 2019, but the video was released a few months prior, on May 6, 2019. His final release of the year came with the single "Day One" along with the accompanying visuals on November 25, 2019.

On March 11, 2020, Shiesty released the single "At It Again", but the visuals were released nine days prior. Four days later, he released the single "Main Slime", on March 15, 2020. On May 29, 2020, the latter song received a remix with an accompanying music video, featuring rapper Moneybagg Yo and record producer Tay Keith, the latter of who produced the original song as well. Two days later, Shiesty released the single "ABCGE" alongside the music video on June 3, 2020.

After releasing a few singles of his own, Shiesty received attention from Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane, who later signed him to his record label 1017 Records. In a joint-venture, he signed with its parent label, Atlantic Records in April 2020. They collaborated Mane's single, "Still Remember", along with its music video on June 19, 2020. The song became Shiesty's initial rise to fame and recognition. Only six days later, he released the single "Monday to Sunday" (featuring rappers Lil Baby and Big30), alongside the music video on June 25, 2020. All three singles appeared on Mane's fourth compilation album, So Icy Summer, which was released on July 3, 2020. The first half of the album consisted of songs by Mane and the second half consisted of songs from the rest of the 1017 label; Shiesty's labelmates include Foogiano, K Shiday, Enchanting, Big Scarr and Roboy. Shiesty and Mane reunited within the album on the latter's single "Who Is Him", with an accompanying music video the same day.

On September 9, 2020, Shiesty released the single "Twerksum" alongside the music video. The 1017 label (himself, Gucci Mane, Foogiano, Big Scarr, Roboy, K Shiday, and Enchanting) collaborated on Roboy's single "1017 Loaded", which was released alongside the accompanying music video exactly one month later, on October 9, 2020. Both singles appeared on Gucci's fifth compilation album, So Icy Gang, Vol. 1, which was released on October 16, 2020. The album is similar to the second half of So Icy Summer, but instead features different artists on the label.

2020–present: Shiesty Season
On November 6, 2020, Shiesty released the single "Back in Blood", featuring Chicago rapper Lil Durk. It ended up becoming his most-streamed song, and was soon succeeded by the official music video, which was released on January 2, 2021, and that was a tribute to King Von, a friend of both rappers, which appears in a scene of the cut. It has received around three hundred thirty four million views on YouTube as of November 2023. Later, he was featured on fellow labelmate Foogiano's single "First Day in LA", which was released along with accompanying visuals on November 20, 2020. It appeared on the latter's debut commercial mixtape, Gutta Baby, to which Shiesty makes another appearance on the song "Menace", which was released on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2020.

Shiesty released the single "Guard Up" alongside the official music video on January 15, 2021. It serves as the third single to his debut commercial mixtape and first project, Shiesty Season, which he announced on the same day. On January 29, 2021, he was also featured on Lil Durk's song, "Should've Ducked", from the deluxe edition of Durk's sixth studio album, The Voice, and marks the second time that the two have collaborated, following "Back in Blood". "Neighbors", featuring rapper Big30 was released as the third single on February 2, 2021. The mixtape was released on February 5, 2021. It features guest appearances from Lil Durk, Gucci Mane, Big30, 21 Savage, Veeze, Foogiano, Lil Hank, Choppa Wop, and Tay Keith. The mixtape also includes the previously-released singles "Twerksum" and "Back in Blood" as the respective first and second singles.

In February 2021, Shiesty was named "Up Now" by music streaming service Audiomack. “Thank you to Audiomack for consistently supporting me and my music," Pooh Shiesty said. "It feels great to be recognized and I appreciate all the love. It’s only up from here.”

On May 21, 2021, the deluxe edition of Shiesty Season was released, titled Shiesty Season – Spring Deluxe. The deluxe edition includes features from Lil Baby and G Herbo. Also in 2021, he was featured on the XXL Freshman Class. On April 29, 2022, a new deluxe edition of Shiesty Season was released, titled Shiesty Season: Certified. This deluxe edition includes features from Gunna, Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo, EST Gee, Big Scarr, 42 Dugg, Baby K, Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane, Big30, Fat Wizza, and Jack Harlow.

Artistic influences
Pooh Shiesty is influenced by Chief Keef, Gucci Mane, Kodak Black, and Lil Wayne. He listened to Lil Wayne for the longest, and is influenced the most by him.

Legal issues
On October 13, 2020, Williams was arrested in connection to a shooting in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida. He faced several charges, including armed robbery, aggravated assault, battery, and criminal theft. He was released from custody on the same day of his arrest.

On June 9, 2021, Williams was arrested again, this time in connection to a shooting at a strip club in Northwest Miami-Dade. Williams was held with no bond, and remained in jail, despite the victim of the shooting recanting. On June 29, he was indicted over the Bay Harbor Islands robbery, and on July 8 he was ordered by the federal judge to be held without bond, pending trial.

On January 4, 2022, Williams pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges; he was facing up to 8 years in prison.

On April 20, 2022, Williams was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison.