For Cartel Bo, life after five years in prison feels overwhelming, fast, and full of possibility. He was prepared for it, though. While the Houston rapper was locked up in a federal penitentiary on a firearms charge, he had “visions and premonitions of what I’m doing today.” Since his release in early 2024, he’s been making good on his early creative promise, ascending to a place as one of Texas’ greatest rap talents and working in an uncompromising style. His recent songs showcase him ascending to a new artistic plane, particularly the millions-streaming “Fresh Out tha Fedz,” a cinema-scale freestyle that stands as the most dazzling “first day out” track in recent memory, as well as victory-lap anthems like “No Pass” an...