On this day, May 26, in hip-hop history...

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2016: Gucci Mane, one of Atlanta's most successful and trendsetting rap titans, was released from prison on May 26, 2016 after serving two years for an illegal firearm possession charge.

Back in September 2013, Big Guwop was arrested for possession of two different firearms. He pled guilty and was sentenced to 39 months. Though he was originally expected to get out in September 2016, the rapper's longtime girlfriend Keyshia Kaoir let the cat out of the bag that Gucci was home early by posting the news on her Snapchat on May 26. As soon as the news was confirmed by XXL, the Internet went insane! Fans on Twitter got Gucci Mane's name trending on the social media site and old school Gucci music began to flood radio. Fans online were especially astonished by his dramatic weight loss while in the pen.

Almost immediately after his release, Gucci met up with his longtime friend and producer Mike Will Made-It to record the song "First Day Out the Feds." In the months that followed his release, Gucci became acquainted to new rules of the rap game, specifically new fashion trends and social media. While he was on house arrest, every major rapper either visited the star or collaborated with him on wax. Proving he's still a music-making machine, Gucci dropped three albums within a year's time; Everybody Looking, Woptober and The Return of East Atlanta Santa. He also became the most sought-after feature in the game, lending verses to everyone from Drake, Young Dolph and Kanye West to Lil Yachty, Dreezy and Kodak Black. In September, Gucci appeared on the Fall 2016 cover of XXL alongside his protégé Young Thug. In the interview, Gucci talked about quitting drugs, his time behind bars and the changing Atlanta rap scene.

Today, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of his freedom, Gucci teamed up with one of ATL's hottest young producers Metro Boomin to drop the mixtape Drop Top Wop, complete with features from Young Dolph, Offset, 2 Chainz and Rick Ross. Since, he's continued putting out quality music, and in October 2017, he married Ka'oir.

Glad to have you back, Guwop!

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