In an era when so many rappers just show up and are suddenly stars, Nudy’s rise over the last four years has been refreshingly organic. “My career not based off some Instagram funny shit or some Fox 5 shit,” he tells me. “These motherfuckers die out fast, but not me.”

In April he released a featureless mixtape on SoundCloud titled Faded in the Booth, following it up earlier this month with his long anticipated collaborative album with Pi’erre, Sli’merre. Faded in the Booth is Nudy at his most stripped down, alone, exploring new melodies while offering his trademark comic-book-supervillain bars. Sli’merre is the high-budget counterpart, boasting guests including DaBaby, Lil Uzi Vert, Megan Thee Stallion, and 21 Savage. Over some of Pi’erre’s strangest beats yet, Nudy raps about drug dealing and robberies with a strange lightness—like he might take your wallet but also make sure that he leaves you with your bus pass so you can still get home. Both projects are among 2019’s best hip-hop releases so far.

But for Nudy, the opportunity to just release music is a blessing. “I’m proud of myself,” he says, letting his dreads cover his face again. “Niggas out here fighting for they freedom and shit!” On February 3, after performing at a Super Bowl event in Atlanta, Nudy was pulled over by the police, arrested, and charged with aggravated assault and violation of the Georgia Gang Act. He was released on $100,000 bond on February 19. The case made national news when 21 Savage—who was also in the car at the time of the arrest—was taken into custody by ICE, who claimed that Savage was a British national who was “unlawfully present in the U.S.” Currently, both are free, but fear still lurks in the back of Nudy’s mind. “I feel like people just trying to get a goddamn rank off of me, like I’m just a promotion for them,” he says. “But music keeps all that negative shit out of my head. I’m going through some shit, but a nigga gon’ keep smiling.”

Pitchfork: What happened when you were arrested in February?

Young Nudy: That was some bullshit for real! Right after my goddamn performance, I thought the promoter had set me up. I was leaving the club, and right as we start driving, they pull my black ass over. They didn’t tell me shit. But after, they were like, “You got warrants and shit.” This is the type of shit that niggas who would be clout chasing would try to take advantage of, but that’s why I don’t really speak on this.

How did it feel?

Every time I go to jail I lose my mojo. I just sit and walk around wondering how I’m gon’ get out of this shit. Now I’m just thanking God that I’m getting another chance because I really don’t be doing shit. I try to stay out the way, get in no trouble, change my ways. I gotta check in with these motherfuckers every time I leave! Why they fucking with me for? It’s like they still coming for me no matter what.

What are some things you do to stay out of trouble?

I just be in my house watching television and shit. The other day I was in that bitch for two days straight watching “The Flash.” I been hip to “Game of Thrones” for like three months now, and “Vikings” on the History channel is some real-life shit!

Did you know what was going on with 21 Savage?

I didn’t find out until I was goddamn in there, but I’m not gon’ speak for him. Just know thank God everyone is free.

Was it a relief to put music out after all that?

Hell yeah! I’m proud of myself all over again. I put Faded in the Booth out on SoundCloud and I was surprised ’cause it was doing numbers and it was only on there. Then, we put out [Sli’merre] and that shit was going crazy. Made me feel good all over again. Damn, I love people!

Sli’merre feels like a mainstream push, especially with the features. But your recent leaked collaboration with Playboi Carti, “ Pissy Pamper ,” was left off the record because of sample clearance issues. Were you upset that didn’t make it?

I don’t really give a damn. But niggas love that Carti verse, it’s fire. That’s something I had to learn in the music industry. Sometimes you think you made the best song in the world, and someone come out the blue talking about, “You can’t use that sample.” You just gotta move on.

You always seem to be able to flip bad news into something positive.

I just be on some chill shit. I’m not into stuntin’ on nobody and I got my own shit so I don’t need to take nothin’. I’m just worried about me. I’m trying to keep up with the future. The world is changing.

How is the world changing?

Man, when we gon’ have those flyin’ cars? I’m tryin’ to get me one. I’m tryin’ to float, no more airplanes. Like “The Jetsons.”