Kodak Black recently made headlines after he took a heartwarming trip to Memphis, Tennessee to meet with the mom of incarcerated rapper Pooh Shiesty. As part of the encounter, Kodak made a strong symbolic move in lending his legendary Sniper Gang chain to Pooh Shiesty’s mom to put on, a widely seen sign of friendship and mutual respect within the culture of hip-hop.
The moment, captured in photographs and videos, shortly found its way onto social media and ignited arguments between fans and insiders in the music industry. On one such video, Kodak Black can be seen alone draping the Sniper Gang chain around Mrs. Williams’ neck, a symbolic act that resonated with the hip-hop community.
Kodak Black, the popular Florida-based rapper with his Sniper Gang label and his recognizable sound, has had a tumultuous history with Pooh Shiesty. The Memphis-born 1017 Records signee has been in federal prison since 2021 after he was charged with a firearms conspiracy charge. Despite the publicized beef they have shared in the past, Kodak’s visit was one of solidarity and support to Shiesty’s family during a difficult time.
Although Pooh Shiesty had been disappointed with Kodak Black in the past due to their different views regarding showing off wealth in hip-hop, Kodak Black’s recent action indicated a desire to reconcile with him. The tour was also a testament to a persistent thread in the rap genre—how artists who have had run-ins with the law have the support of fans who rally to defend them.
The web was quick to respond to Kodak Black’s trip to Memphis, with the majority weighing in with divided opinion. A lot of fans interpreted it as an authentic act of kindness and respect and were applauding Kodak for supporting Pooh Shiesty’s family while he was in prison. Social media was filled with fan comments saying such as:
“Real recognize real. Kodak showing love even after past differences,” and “That’s a huge sign of respect in hip-hop.”
There were others who questioned the motives and timing of the action taken by Kodak. With the two having had differences in the past, others questioned if the action was politically-driven and not a purely altruistic one to recover public goodwill. Others questioned if Pooh Shiesty would even accept the offer or find it to be a hollow one.
Kodak Black’s Sniper Gang chain signifies his brand and his legacy and success in the music industry. With his authorization to Pooh Shiesty’s mom to wear the same, he not only paid homage to her but to her son as well, that he still remains part of the music fraternity even in prison.
This act has a long history in rap where artists use signs like chains to connote unity, mentoring, and respect. Artists have used chains in the past to induct new artists into their crews or to show respects to fellow artists and so on. Kodak’s action thus follows such cultural traditions and thus amounts to a strong message.
With his official release date set in April 2026, there have been rumors about an early release. His recent hints towards such a thing have provided hope to his fans, with many waiting eagerly for his return to the music industry. His debut album, Shiesty Season, remains the best among his fans, and his fans and peers like Kodak Black continue to implore him to come back to the music industry.
