Memphis rap has a specific kind of gravity. It’s heavy, it’s dark, and it’s undeniably cold. When Pooh Shiesty dropped Pooh Shiesty Switch It Up, it wasn't just another track on a mixtape; it was a definitive moment for the 1017 signee. You’ve probably heard it in a gym edit or blasting from a car window. It has that signature "Shiesty Season" grit. But what’s interesting isn't just the beat or the flow—it’s how this specific song cemented a subgenre of Southern rap that was, for a minute there, completely untouchable.
Honestly, the track feels like a time capsule of 2021. Pooh Shiesty, born Lontrell Williams Jr., was riding a wave that most artists only dream of. He had the Gucci Mane co-sign. He had the viral "Back in Blood" momentum. Then he dropped the Shiesty Season mixtape, and "Switch It Up" became the standout for anyone who actually cares about the technical side of Memphis drill. It’s a song about paranoia, loyalty, and the literal switches used on firearms, a controversial topic that has since become a focal point of federal investigations and rap lyrics alike.
The song is short. It’s punchy. It doesn't waste time with long intros or melodic bridges. It’s basically two minutes of relentless energy.
What Pooh Shiesty Switch It Up Actually Says About the 1017 Era
When you look at the lyrics of Pooh Shiesty Switch It Up, it’s a masterclass in regional slang and the brutal honesty of the New 1017. Gucci Mane didn't just pick these guys because they could rap; he picked them because they sounded like the streets of Memphis and Mobile. Shiesty talks about "switching it up" in a dual sense. On one hand, he’s talking about changing his lifestyle because of the fame, but more importantly, he’s referencing the mechanical "switch" that turns a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic one.
This isn't just "tough talk" for the sake of it. In the context of the federal case that eventually saw Pooh Shiesty sentenced to five years in prison, these lyrics took on a much heavier weight. Federal prosecutors often look at these specific themes. The song features No37, a frequent collaborator who brings a different kind of gravel to the track. Together, they paint a picture of South Memphis that feels claustrophobic.
The production by TP808 is what really carries the mood. It uses these haunting, minor-key piano loops that feel like a horror movie soundtrack. If you've ever tried to produce rap music, you know how hard it is to make something sound this simple yet this menacing. It’s all about the 808s hitting just a fraction of a second behind the beat, creating a "dragging" sensation that makes you want to nod your head slowly.
The Impact of the Video and Viral Culture
The music video for "Switch It Up" is just as iconic as the song itself. It’s a bunch of guys in a kitchen, jewelry flashing, balaclavas on. It’s the "Shiesty Mask" aesthetic that literally took over the world for two years. You couldn't go to a mall in America without seeing a teenager in a Nike Tech Fleece and a balaclava. That’s the cultural footprint we’re talking about here.
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People think "Switch It Up" is just about violence. It’s not. It’s about the tension of being a superstar while still being tethered to a neighborhood that doesn't let you go easily. It's a vibe. It's a mood. It’s a warning.
Why Pooh Shiesty Switch It Up Hits Different Than Other 2021 Rap
A lot of people compare Shiesty to Young Dolph or Key Glock. While they all share that Memphis DNA, Shiesty brought something more erratic. "Switch It Up" showcases his ability to stay slightly behind the beat, a technique that makes the listener lean in. Most rappers try to stay perfectly on the grid. Shiesty wanders. He mumbles certain words then shouts the next. It feels unpredictable.
The industry call this "presence." You either have it or you don't. On Pooh Shiesty Switch It Up, he’s practically whispering threats, which is way more intimidating than screaming them. It’s the contrast. The song doesn't have a traditional hook that sounds like a radio hit. Instead, the "Switch it up, switch it up" refrain acts as a hypnotic mantra.
Let's talk about the technicalities of the beat for a second. The drum pattern isn't your standard trap 1-2-3. It has these weird gaps. These pockets of silence are where the personality of the artist shines. If you listen to the instrumental alone, it’s almost boring. But when you add Shiesty’s nasal, high-pitched "Brrr," it becomes a masterpiece of the genre.
The Legal Shadow Over the Music
It’s impossible to discuss this song without mentioning Pooh Shiesty’s legal troubles. He’s currently serving time in a federal facility after pleading guilty to a firearms conspiracy charge. This reality casts a long shadow over lyrics like those in "Switch It Up." Fans often debate whether the music "caused" the trouble or if the music was simply a reflection of an inevitable path.
The feds have been increasingly using lyrics and music videos as evidence in RICO cases. While Shiesty’s case wasn't a full-blown RICO like Young Thug’s, the imagery in "Switch It Up" certainly didn't help his public image during the trial. It’s a grim reminder that for these artists, the "switch" isn't just a clever lyric—it's a real-world factor with massive consequences.
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The Memphis Sound vs. The World
Memphis has always been an outlier. From Three 6 Mafia to 8Ball & MJG, the city has a sound that doesn't care about what Atlanta or New York is doing. Pooh Shiesty Switch It Up is a direct descendant of that "get buck" music. But it’s refined for the streaming age. It’s short enough to be replayed a dozen times on a workout playlist but dense enough to be analyzed by rap purists.
Interestingly, the song didn't need a massive radio push. It grew organically through TikTok and Instagram Reels. The "switch it up" line became a meme for people changing their outfits or their cars. This is how songs live forever now. They become utility tools for content creators.
- The song has racked up hundreds of millions of streams.
- It helped Shiesty Season reach number 3 on the Billboard 200.
- It defined the "Ski Mask" era of rap fashion.
No37’s verse is also worth a closer look. A lot of people skip the features on these types of tracks, but he anchors the second half of the song. He’s lower-toned, providing a ground to Shiesty’s lightning-rod energy. It’s a classic "big brother, little brother" dynamic in the booth.
How to Truly Appreciate Pooh Shiesty Switch It Up
If you're just listening to the song on your phone speakers, you're missing half the experience. This is bass-music. It’s designed for systems that can handle low-end frequencies. The way the kick drum interacts with the snare in the third verse is actually quite complex from a sound engineering perspective.
There's also the matter of his "slanguage." Shiesty doesn't just use words; he invents them or repurposes them. To "switch it up" in his world means to pivot—whether that's pivoting from a situation or literally using a modified weapon. It’s about agility. In the rap game, if you don't switch it up, you get left behind.
Paradoxically, Shiesty didn't switch his style up much. He found a lane and drove it until the wheels fell off. That’s why the song remains a staple. It’s consistent. It doesn't try to be a pop song. It doesn't have a female vocalist on the chorus to make it "accessible." It’s raw.
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What’s Next for Shiesty’s Sound?
Even from behind bars, Pooh Shiesty’s influence is everywhere. You can hear it in the way new artists from Florida and Texas are rapping. They’re using that same "dragging" flow. They’re using the same haunting piano loops. Pooh Shiesty Switch It Up was the blueprint for the "menace" rap that dominates YouTube’s trending charts today.
Is the song "good" for society? That’s a different question. But as a piece of art—a reflection of a specific time, place, and person—it’s undeniable. It captures the frantic, high-stakes energy of a young man who became a millionaire and a federal defendant in the span of about eighteen months.
To get the most out of this track and the subgenre it represents, you have to look past the controversy and listen to the rhythm. Notice how the flow breaks when he mentions certain names. Look at the way the camera moves in the video to mimic the "twitchy" nature of the lyrics. It’s an immersive experience.
Essential Listening Steps:
- Listen to the track with a high-quality pair of headphones to catch the "ghost" notes in the production.
- Watch the music video to understand the visual language of the 1017 movement.
- Compare the flow to earlier Memphis legends like Project Pat to see the evolution of the city's sound.
- Check out the "Shiesty Season: Certified" deluxe version for more context on where this song fits in his discography.
The reality of the situation is that we might not get another "Switch It Up" for a long time. With the current legal climate and the crackdown on the "switch" culture in the US, the music is shifting again. But for now, this track stands as the peak of an era. It’s a heavy, uncomfortable, and brilliant piece of Memphis history.
Don't just take it at face value. Dig into the production credits. Look at the way Memphis artists support one another. The song is a testament to a very specific, very dangerous, and very creative moment in hip-hop history. It’s not just music; it’s a report from the front lines of a culture that most people only see from a distance.
Stay tuned to his official channels for any "from the feds" freestyles, which have become a new tradition for incarcerated rappers trying to keep their buzz alive. The story of Pooh Shiesty isn't over, and "Switch It Up" is the chapter everyone will remember.