Pooh Shiesty turns his real-life experiences into a dark, compelling, and brutally honest street rap journey.

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. I’m Back

“I’m Back” is an excellent intro. Not only does it feature a memorable hook and production that gives me old-school Jeezy vibes, which is always a plus, but Pooh Shiesty does exactly what I would’ve wanted him to do here: remind everybody what type of time he’s on.

He wastes no time bringing up the robberies he’s committed, having an undefeated record in the streets, and the confidence that has become a big part of his image. What I love most is his delivery. He raps with this energy that makes it feel like he literally just got out of jail, threw his stuff in the corner, took a swig of vodka, and started talking all the s**t he could before heading out for the night. What a damn legend.

4. Last Man Breathin

One of my favorite things about “Last Man Breathin” is how urgent it feels from start to finish. The beat doesn’t waste any time, charging forward with fierce energy and a dramatic trap backdrop that makes Pooh Shiesty sound larger than life.

He rises to the occasion with a performance that feels both defiant and reflective. He talks about the enemies he’s made, the success he’s earned, and the challenge of balancing rap with slicing. The chorus is incredibly strong, and his verses strike a nice balance between ruthless street talk and honest reflections about his journey, giving the song more depth than you might expect.

3. Still on Timing (Ft. BIG30)

“Still on Timing” might be the most chilling track you’ll hear today. On it, Pooh Shiesty raps with the diabolical mindset of someone straight out of a horror movie, talking about the murder rate rising now that he’s back, boasting about people he’s allegedly taken out, and even saying he feels pressure to shoot because he didn’t get the chance to while he was locked up. As for his partner in crime, BIG30, he basically backs Pooh up with a loose, “Yeah, what he said” type of energy.

So why do I like the track? Because both of them absolutely slide. Their deliveries fit the menacing trap production perfectly, and the beat’s steady tempo gives the whole record an eerie but addictive bounce.

Like, Pooh didn’t think about throwing this track into the recycle bin on his computer after he got arrested? Just leave it there. It doesn’t permanently delete for 30 days, so maybe you can restore it once s**t isn’t looking so sketchy anymore.

2. MANE (Ft. GloRilla)

Pooh was slick as hell for naming this track “MANE.” Seriously, when’s the last time you heard a song named after the person who got kidnapped?

I love the back-and-forth we get from GloRilla and Pooh on this track. Glo comes out swinging, bringing a ton of aggression with a heart-pounding chorus and a verse that makes her sound like the Big Bad Wolf when it comes to her opps. Pooh plays the calmer role, reflecting on how he built his power, his love for hustling, and staying one step ahead of the feds.

Their voices and rap styles complement each other perfectly, and the gritty, street-centered production ties everything together.

1. FDO

think it’s amazing how successful “FDO” ended up being. I mean, the track is over five minutes long, which is practically a lifetime in today’s music landscape. On top of that, it barely has a chorus, features plenty of rambling, and includes a bunch of bragging that you’d think only his homies would care about.

My guess is that listeners were simply tired of the watered-down street rap that had been flooding the scene and gravitated toward something that felt raw and authentic instead. It’s kind of like the Mamdani of street rap. No matter how many people say it’s bad for the culture or try to criticize it, the more others seem to embrace it.

I want to be a fly on the wall when white people listen to this track in their homes.

SONG BY SONG RATING

I’m Back (4/5)

Federal Reality (4/5)

Reap What You Sow (3.5/5)

Last Man Breathin (4.5/5)

Collecting Tears (3.5/5)

Still on Timing (Ft. BIG30) (4/5)

Booty Club (Ft. Sexyy Red & Tay Keith) (3.5/5)

Reckless Living (4/5)

CMO Freestyle (Ft. Baby SLime, BIG30 & K Carbon)(3.5/5)

McLaren Truck (4/5)

Trip (3.5/5)

JPay & CorrLinks (3/5)

New One (Ft. K Carbon)(3.5/5)

Bigger Than the Program (3.5/5)

FDO (4.5/5)

MANE (4.5/5)

RGM RATING

(C+)

Pooh Shiesty is refreshingly evil. Like, there are a bunch of rappers that talk about some truly demonic s**t, but there’s something about Pooh that sounds like a serial killer who knows how to rap.

Let’s be real: Pooh Shiesty’s whole situation with Gucci Mane is what makes the legend of this album so big. The question we were all thinking was, “What was going through his head on that twisted night?” Well, on this album, you can kind of put the pieces of the puzzle together. Though he doesn’t address that situation a lot, what he does address is what he meant to the streets: someone who found unique ways to get money, who is obsessed with power, who wants to knock off anyone who thinks they can challenge him, and who indulges in the toxins that make it all worth it.

At the same time, you can tell certain stories genuinely hurt him, like losing some of his homies during missions, being too deep in the streets, and having snitches in his circle. While your typical person will probably interpret what they hear as a psycho who happens to know how to rap, there’s some substance there that needs to be paid attention to.

Aside from the lyrics, I thought this album had very satisfying music. Most of the beats carry menacing trap vibes that any street rap listener can appreciate, and the guest appearances feel perfectly placed. I feel like the album flows well, but Pooh also does a good job of making every track intriguing enough to play individually. Like, for example, if “CMO Freestyle” randomly comes on during shuffle, you’re going to listen to that s**t and step away feeling like you heard something impactful.

Pooh Shiesty is a prime example of someone who may be a highly reckless individual, but has a rap charm and appeal that is just so intriguing to listen to. I guess we all do root for the bad guy.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.