Publishers and rights holders must scrutinize every contract allegation in high-stakes rap cases like Pooh Shiesty’s, where a simple Staples visit twists into claims of gunpoint coercion, directly threatening songwriting credits, splits and ownership chains that underpin urban music revenue streams.
Attorney Fires Back on Staples Stop
Pooh Shiesty’s lead attorney Bradford Cohen insists the rapper was possibly printing lyrics at Staples, not a contract release form for Gucci Mane as prosecutors claim. Cohen addressed the allegation during an interview on Monday with Law and Crime’s Sidebar with Jesse Weber. Prosecutors say they have information pinpointing Pooh and his father going to Staples to print out a contract that Gucci Mane was allegedly made to sign at gunpoint. Cohen dismissed the location’s relevance. “I don’t even care if they’re at Staples,” Cohen said. He explained they were heading to a recording studio, where clients normally print off lyrics for different individuals. “If you have five individuals that are going to be on one record, and they each have a section or a part, they’ll usually print those things off.”
Building Defense Against Government Burden
Cohen emphasized crafting a defense to hold the government to its burden of proof. “We have to create the defense and create a way to make sure that [the government] is held to their burden,” Cohen continued. “So, it doesn’t matter what they say. It matters what they have.” This stance challenges prosecutors’ narrative head-on, focusing on evidence over accusation in a case with massive implications for artist contracts and studio dealings.
Robbery and Kidnapping Charges at Core
Pooh Shiesty, his father, Big30 and six other men face charges of robbing and kidnapping Gucci Mane and others at a Dallas recording studio in January. Prosecutors claim the men met for a business meeting, during which Pooh pointed a gun at Gucci and demanded he sign a contract release form. All nine men could face life in prison if found guilty. Pooh Shiesty was denied bond last week and remains in federal custody.
Watch for Cohen’s next moves to test the government’s evidence on that alleged Staples printout and the gunpoint signing claim, as the defense pivots on studio norms versus prosecutorial spin.
SOURCE TYPE: TRADE
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