After hearing Kodak Black’s excellent new track “First Day Out” it occurred to me that many artists record some of their best material the day they’re released from prison. It seems to bring about a diverse array of emotional states: relief, gratitude, confusion, a desire for revenge … This all makes for some great music.
In no particular order, these are my 5 favourite songs recorded by artists immediately after being released:
(1) Kodak Black - First Day Out (2017)
“First day out, gave my Momma $100k”
(2) Tee Grizzley - First Day Out (2016)
“My first offer was 30 years not a day lower
I told them crackers holler at me when they’re sober”
(3) Gucci Mane - First Day Out (2009)
“Did you miss me? Or miss my raps bitch?”
(4) 2Pac - Ambitionz Az a Ridah (1996)
“I’ve been hesitant to reappear, been away for years
Now I’m back my adversaries been reduced to tears”
(5) Gucci Mane - First Day Out The Feds (2016)
“They call me crazy so much, I think I'm starting to believe them
I did some things to some people that was down right evil”