Dallas Studio Takeover: Nine Rappers Charged in Gunpoint Kidnapping and Robbery

Nine rappers, including Pooh Shiesty and Big30, have been charged after an alleged gunpoint kidnapping and robbery at a Dallas recording studio on January 14th. This event involved multiple victims and allegedly targeted music figures.
By Newsroom | Crime, Music |

Nine charged in alleged gunpoint kidnapping, robbery targeting music figures.

Federal prosecutors claim nine individuals, including rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30, orchestrated a violent ambush on January 14th at a Dallas recording studio. The group allegedly kidnapped and robbed multiple victims, including Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Davis. Authorities stated that eight of the nine defendants were arrested on April 1st across Dallas, Memphis, and Nashville.

"Instead of discussing business in a civil matter, the defendants resorted to violence and intimidation to achieve their purported business objectives."

The federal criminal complaint details that the victims flew to Dallas for a meeting, purportedly to resolve a recording contract dispute involving Pooh Shiesty. Instead of negotiation, investigators assert that nine suspects carried out a coordinated armed takeover. According to the complaint, the suspects entered the studio around 3:43 p.m., swiftly separating the victims. Pooh Shiesty, whose legal name is Lontrell Williams Jr., allegedly took Gucci Mane into a recording room, while others remained in a control room. ==Rodney Wright Jr., known as Big30, is accused of helping to block a studio door, impeding any escape while armed suspects proceeded with the robbery.

Read More: Nine people charged in Dallas studio robbery involving rapper Gucci Mane in January

Contract Dispute or Calculated Ambush?

Prosecutors say the meeting was a ruse. The intended purpose, according to the Department of Justice, was to coerce Gucci Mane into releasing Pooh Shiesty from his contract. Evidence presented includes allegations that Pooh Shiesty brandished a pistol and forced a victim to sign a contract release at gunpoint. Investigators have compiled electronic monitoring data that allegedly places Pooh Shiesty in the vicinity of the crime scene, in violation of his existing home confinement order. This data, along with cell phone records, license plate reader information, rental car details, surveillance footage, and recovered fingerprints, are cited as incriminating the defendants.

"The victims, including Gucci Mane, flew into Dallas that Saturday afternoon for what they believed was a meeting to discuss a recording contract dispute involving Pooh Shiesty."

The Accused and Their Alleged Roles

The nine indicted individuals include: Lontrell Williams Jr. (Pooh Shiesty), Rodney Lamont Wright Jr. (Big30), Lontrell Williams Sr., Kedarius Waters, Terrance Rodgers, Damarian Gipson, Demarcus Glover, Kordae Johnson, and Darrion McDaniel.

Read More: Pink Floyd Bassist Guy Pratt Trades Stadiums for Church Bells in Wisborough Green

Several defendants are alleged to have played specific roles in the incident. Big30's alleged action of barricading the studio door prevented victims from leaving. Following the alleged operation, some defendants are said to have posted images on social media displaying items purportedly stolen during the robbery, including Rolex watches.

Background on the Artists

Gucci Mane, born Radric Delantic Davis, is a Grammy-nominated rapper associated with the label 1017 Records, which operates in collaboration with Atlantic Records. He has prior federal convictions for firearms charges. Pooh Shiesty, whose birth name is Lontrell Williams Jr., is reportedly signed to Gucci Mane’s 1017 label. The two rappers had a history of collaboration until Williams faced indictment for an armed robbery in Florida in 2020. He was reportedly on home confinement at the time of the alleged Dallas incident.

Read More: Hull Funeral Director Charged With 64 Offenses After 35 Bodies Found

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were nine individuals, including rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30, charged in Dallas on April 1st?
Federal prosecutors charged nine people, including rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30, for an alleged gunpoint kidnapping and robbery at a Dallas recording studio on January 14th. The group is accused of ambushing and robbing multiple victims.
Q: Who was targeted in the alleged January 14th Dallas recording studio incident?
The victims included Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane (Radric Davis) and other music figures. They had traveled to Dallas for a meeting that prosecutors say turned into a violent takeover.
Q: What happened during the alleged January 14th Dallas studio takeover involving Pooh Shiesty and Big30?
Prosecutors claim the nine suspects, including Pooh Shiesty and Big30, carried out an armed takeover instead of a business meeting. They allegedly kidnapped victims, forced them to sign contracts, and robbed them at gunpoint.
Q: What was the alleged motive behind the January 14th Dallas studio incident?
The Department of Justice stated the purpose was to force Gucci Mane to release Pooh Shiesty from his recording contract. Evidence includes allegations of Pooh Shiesty brandishing a pistol and forcing a victim to sign a release.
Q: What evidence do prosecutors have against the nine indicted individuals in Dallas?
Evidence includes electronic monitoring data placing Pooh Shiesty near the scene, cell phone records, surveillance footage, fingerprints, and social media posts showing items allegedly stolen during the robbery.
Q: Which rappers were arrested or charged in the Dallas studio takeover on April 1st?
Nine individuals were indicted, including Lontrell Williams Jr. (Pooh Shiesty) and Rodney Lamont Wright Jr. (Big30). Eight of the nine were arrested across Dallas, Memphis, and Nashville.