“First Day Out” tracks have become an integral part of the rap landscape. After serving time, many artists use these tracks to unleash their emotions and declare their comeback to the music scene. This tradition has captivated both fans and artists in recent years.

While not the first to release a track immediately after stepping out (with 2Pac’s “Ambitionz Az A Ridah” dating back to 1996), Gucci Mane is often credited with initiating the trend of “First Day Out” songs. He has dropped two such tracks himself, beginning in 2009.

After Gucci’s trailblazing release, numerous artists have drawn inspiration from this concept, with tracks from Chief Keef, Kodak Black, Ralo, among others. One of the most recent addition is Pooh Shiesty’s “FDO,” released just two months post-incarceration.

To assemble this list, songs had to either explicitly bear the “First Day Out” title or embody its spirit and themes. It is irrelevant if the release occurred on an artist’s first actual day of freedom.

12. HoodRich Pablo Juan – “First Day Out” (2025)

In 2020, just two days shy of his 31st birthday, Atlanta’s iconic rap figure HoodRich Pablo Juan was arrested on RICO charges. This led to a five-year imprisonment, culminating in his release in October 2025.

Upon his release, Juan doesn’t delve into introspection on his First Day Out. Instead, he immediately immerses himself in the signature high-tier trap narratives that earned him a loyal following on Gucci Mane’s label.

The accompanying video adds an engaging dimension, chronicling the rapper’s first day of freedom as he revisits his familiar haunts in Atlanta.

11. YNW Melly – “Gang (First Day Out)” (2019)

YNW Melly, often at the center of controversy, actually has multiple “first day out” tracks: one came out before the notorious “Murder on My Mind,” and the other after.

The latter track showcases YNW Melly’s distinctive syrupy, melodic style more effectively. The accompanying video is noteworthy as well, featuring appearances from some of the most significant rappers of the past decade, including Lil Uzi Vert, Swae Lee, Lil Durk, Trippie Redd, and King Von.

This release might have been a bit premature—about a month after the video’s debut, YNW Melly surrendered himself to authorities on two counts of premeditated first-degree murder.

10. Ralo – “First Day Out” (2023)

Many “First Day Out” tracks are typically upbeat, celebrating an artist’s return home from prison. However, when Ralo was released in 2023, his track took on a distinctly somber tone.

He not only delved into his state of mind during that period, but he also tackled the rumors surrounding him.

9. Quando Rondo – “First Day Out” (2018)

Quando Rondo was first exposed to music in the church around the age of nine.

Serving time in and out of juvenile detention centers for robbery and drug-related charges, Quando Rondo delicately crafted his melodic approach to rap, making a name for himself in the studio and on the internet.

In 2018, fresh from serving a sentence, he dropped his “First Day Out” song, which interestingly starts off with him saying, “Murder on my mind,” eliminating any questions about whether or not his street mentality was the real deal.

8. Skippa Da Flippa – “First Day Out” (2015)

If Skippa Da Flippa hadn’t parted ways with Quality Control, some think he might have achieved hits as successful as Migos.

Following their 2015 arrest for drug and gun possession, Skippa was released and used his music to share his story and advocate for the freedom of his friends. Despite a stint in solitary confinement, his arrest hardly affected his career.

In “First Day Out,” he proudly raps about how, even after being cuffed, his wrists and neck were adorned with valuables that increased in worth once he regained his freedom.

7. Chief Keef – “First Day Out” (2013)

Almost a year after Chief Keef’s “Don’t Like” went viral, he faced arrest in 2013 for breaching his 18-month probation by pointing a gun at an officer.

Although his 60-day jail term was brief, it was significant given the rise in his career the previous year, making his absence felt.

Chief Keef’s rendition of Gucci Mane’s original “First Day Out” showcases his artistic talent. While it didn’t achieve the same impact as hits like “Love Sosa,” it remains a strong addition to his body of work.

6. Pooh Shiesty – “FDO” (2025)

Pooh Shiesty was released from prison in October 2025. Although he waited until December to release his first song, which technically isn’t a “First Day Out” track, it carries all the explosive energy of one. Pooh delivers a relentless five-minute rap that showcases his skills.

Arguably, this might be the most impressively rapped “First Day Out” style song ever, featuring striking lines such as, “My grandma told me to keep my grass low the whole time I’m the snake” and “Reorganize my whole gang on Sundays, we work on our aim.”

5. Offset – “First Day Out” (2015)

After the arrest of Quality Control’s group at Georgia Southern University in 2015, Offset remained incarcerated. During his time in jail, Quavo and Takeoff continued their momentum, propelling Migos into the mainstream spotlight.

With the group’s newfound success, Offset had nothing to prove upon his release, yet he made an impactful return with a Murda Beatz-produced track that vividly showcased his role as the missing link in Migos.

Fast forward a few years to early 2019, Offset finally released the music video for the track. While some fans were puzzled by the decision to release a video for a song that came out four years earlier, it was clear in hindsight that he wanted to celebrate the legal challenges he had surmounted.

4. Kodak Black – “First Day Out” (2017)

After completing a three-month sentence for probation violations, Kodak Black released one of the most impactful “First Day Out” tracks in 2017.

The song’s celebratory tone showcases Kodak’s triumph over the justice system for the twelfth time. Having faced incarceration before, he raps about smoking weed in his cell and anticipating the canary yellow diamonds waiting for him at home upon his release.

The music video opens with what appears to be live footage of Kodak reuniting with his family for the first time after his release, and their joy is palpable. His flow is impeccable, too, making it nearly impossible to resist moving along to his signature bop by the end of the first verse.

3. Gucci Mane – “First Day Out” (2009)

Gucci Mane led the way with his iconic “First Day Out” track.

In 2009, he found himself behind bars for finishing just 25 of the required 600 hours of community service, which was part of a sentence related to an aggravated assault case. Although this stint was one of Gucci’s shorter incarcerations, it occurred just as he was solidifying his status as a legendary figure in the Atlanta rap scene.

The song not only sparked a trend among rappers for years to come but also featured several memorable elements, including Gucci’s distinctive slurred delivery and the production work of his long-time collaborator, Zaytoven.

2. Gucci Mane – “First Day Out Da Feds” (2016)

Gucci Mane’s 2016 release from prison changed his career forever.

In 2014, he admitted to having a firearm, which resulted in a prison sentence that lasted until 2016. By the time he was released, his skills had sharpened considerably, and his dramatic weight loss led some to speculate about a possible double.

Gucci played into these rumors with the music video for “First Day Out Da Feds.” However, as soon as he began rapping, it was evident that he hadn’t lost the charisma that sets him apart. This time, Gucci not only looked healthier but also seemed to have a clearer mindset.

“First Day Out Da Feds” serves as a perfect display of his artistry, especially from someone often credited with originating the “First Day Out” tradition. As an experienced artist, he revamped his 2009 version into a demonstration of how it’s truly done.

1. Tee Grizzley – “First Day Out” (2016)

Tee Grizzley’s “First Day Out” stands as one of the remarkable music success stories of the 2010s.

Following an attempted robbery at a jewelry store, Grizzley found himself incarcerated, with more time added due to additional robberies he committed at Michigan State.

In “First Day Out,” he delves into these experiences with a depth that rivals a court document, showcasing his storytelling prowess. Many listeners were captivated by his lyrical skill as he delivered lines like, “Kilroy, ’member when I used to use your L’s/To hit the road, hit the O and make them big boy sales?/Moo, ’member when you had them green things mailed/With vacuum seals tryin’ not to have them green things smelled?”

The track gained viral momentum when LeBron James shared a video of himself getting motivated by it during the NBA offseason. This exposure significantly boosted Tee Grizzley’s profile. Beyond launching his career, the song earned its place as a “First Day Out” rap anthem.