Fetty Wap

Biography

Willie Junior Maxwell II (born June 7, 1991), better known by his stage name Fetty Wap (), is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He quickly rose to mainstream prominence after his 2014 song "Trap Queen×Trap Queen14 March 2015 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 38 tracks1RGF Island (intro)2:532No Dayz Off5:183Ride4:434Addicted4:375My Way3:346Spaceship4:237Again5:128XXL Freshmen 20150:319Over Night3:5610Fetty Wap (Interview)6:2611Instagram4:5212Computers (remix)5:0713One Night Only4:171412th 22nd Harlem3:5915M.I.A (Freestyle)4:4616No Type (Remy Boyz G-mix)5:3117I Dont Love Her (Freestyle)2:5318Squad or Nah4:1519Zoowap4:0520Party Girl3:0721She Badd3:3422For the Moment4:1423I Need You5:1724Throw It Back4:32256792:1026The Move4:0527Yunglan (Freestyle)2:3128Gotta Have You3:4229For Them Bandz3:2030For a Check2:4531Monty Zoo (outro)5:1332Tuesday5:5633Beautiful6:4434Bad Girlz5:0035Sittin in the Trap3:2836Free Gucci4:1737Bandz4:1938Know My Name/Trap Queen7:50" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and led him to sign with 300 Entertainment, an imprint of Atlantic Records. Two of his 2015 singles, "679" (featuring Remy Boyz) and "My Way×My Way6 May 2015 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1My Way (remix)4:46" (remixed featuring Drake), peaked within the top ten of the chart; all three—as well as the top 40 single "Again×Again7 August 2015 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Again5:12"—preceded his eponymous debut studio album (2015), which peaked atop the Billboard 200. During this time, he became distinctive for his melodic blending of singing and rapping, lighthearted lyrics, "bouncy" production, and exclamation of various catchphrases such as "1738!"
In 2016, he saw moderate success with his follow-up singles "Jimmy Choo×Jimmy Choo5 February 2016 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Jimmy Choo2:56" and "Wake Up×Wake Up22 April 2016 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Wake Up3:44", and guest appeared on Fifth Harmony's single "All In My Head (Flex)×All in My Head (Flex)22 May 2016 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1All in My Head (Flex) (original version)3:302All in My Head (Flex) (super clean)3:30." His 2018 single, "Keke" (with 6ix9ine and A Boogie wit da Hoodie) marked a brief resurgence and moderately entered the Billboard Hot 100. "Again" re-entered the Hot 100 in 2025 following a period of popularity on social media.
Fetty Wap has received two Grammy Award nominations throughout his career, and won the 2016 awards for "Best New Artist" and "Top New Artist" by the iHeartRadio Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards, respectively. In 2022, he was sentenced to six years in prison for trafficking illegal substances, and was released in 2026.

Early life

Maxwell was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. Born with glaucoma in both eyes, Maxwell revealed in an interview in 2015 that doctors were unable to save his left eye and instead fitted him with an ocular prosthesis. He attended Eastside High School before dropping out.

2013–2015: Beginnings and debut album

Fetty Wap developed an interest in making music in 2013. Initially starting off as a rapper, he later decided to start singing as well because he "wanted to do something different". He was nicknamed "Fetty," which is slang for "money"; "Wap" was added to the end of the name to perform in tribute to Gucci Mane's alias, Guwop.
Fetty Wap's commercial debut single, titled "Trap Queen×Trap Queen14 March 2015 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 38 tracks1RGF Island (intro)2:532No Dayz Off5:183Ride4:434Addicted4:375My Way3:346Spaceship4:237Again5:128XXL Freshmen 20150:319Over Night3:5610Fetty Wap (Interview)6:2611Instagram4:5212Computers (remix)5:0713One Night Only4:171412th 22nd Harlem3:5915M.I.A (Freestyle)4:4616No Type (Remy Boyz G-mix)5:3117I Dont Love Her (Freestyle)2:5318Squad or Nah4:1519Zoowap4:0520Party Girl3:0721She Badd3:3422For the Moment4:1423I Need You5:1724Throw It Back4:32256792:1026The Move4:0527Yunglan (Freestyle)2:3128Gotta Have You3:4229For Them Bandz3:2030For a Check2:4531Monty Zoo (outro)5:1332Tuesday5:5633Beautiful6:4434Bad Girlz5:0035Sittin in the Trap3:2836Free Gucci4:1737Bandz4:1938Know My Name/Trap Queen7:50", was released in early 2014. This song appeared in his 2014 mixtape Up Next×Up Next28 January 2015 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Fetty Wap Speaks0:072Trap Queen4:0336792:104Make It3:275Instagram5:206Throw It Back3:457Wap Thru3:098L A X4:129Barz4:441012th & 22nd (Harlem)3:5311M I A Freestyle3:2312Fetty Wap Speaks0:50 released in July 2014. He recorded the song in February 2014. However, it did not gain major recognition until mid-November 2014, and since then it has become a platinum record and has over 200 million plays on SoundCloud. In November 2014, Fetty Wap represented by Attorney Navarro W. Gray secured a recording contract with 300 Entertainment, the imprint was founded by Lyor Cohen, Kevin Liles, Roger Gold and Todd Moscowitz, with distribution through Atlantic Records. The song "Trap Queen" is about a woman dealing and cooking crack cocaine. His second mixtape, Fetty Wap: The Mixtape was originally set for release in February 2015, but was delayed because he continued to create new songs. In June 2015, Fetty Wap was included in XXL's 2015 Freshman Class.
On June 29, 2015, Fetty Wap released his second single "679", originally from his Up Next mixtape. The song's accompanying music video premiered on YouTube in May, before being commercially released. "679" had an original version with Monty only and an added verse by Fetty Wap. The Remy Boyz version was removed from the album. His next single, "My Way×My Way6 May 2015 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1My Way (remix)4:46", became his second top 10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Later, Drake remixed "My Way" and created the version that was then played on radio. Afterwards, "679" reached the Hot 100 top 10 peaking at number four.
During the week of July 26 to August 1, 2015, the rapper matched Billboard marks by hip-hop prominent artists Eminem and Lil Wayne. He became the first male rapper with three songs occupying the top 20 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since Eminem did so in 2013. He also became the first male rapper in four years to have concurrent singles reach the top 10 of the same chart since Lil Wayne did so in 2011. With his fourth single "Again×Again7 August 2015 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Again5:12", Fetty Wap became the first act in the Hot Rap Songs chart's 26-year history to chart his first four entries in the top 10 simultaneously.
Fetty Wap's debut studio album Fetty Wap was released on September 25, 2015. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, with 129,000 equivalent album units (75,484 in pure album sales). Fetty Wap subsequently released two mixtapes for streaming only: Coke Zoo in collaboration with French Montana and ZOO 16: The Mixtape with Zoo Gang. Fetty Wap received two nominations at the 58th Grammy Awards.

2016–2020: EPs, mixtapes and other releases

On February 5, 2016, Fetty Wap released a new single titled "Jimmy Choo×Jimmy Choo5 February 2016 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Jimmy Choo2:56". On April 26, 2016, it was announced that Fetty Wap would be getting his own mobile racing game available on phone, tablet, and Apple TV starting on May 3. The game is offshoot of mobile game Nitro Nation Stories. A street racing game, it has multi-player, car customization, and different storylines to choose. It has partnered with automotive brands like BMW, Nissan, and Cadillac. The Fetty Wap version will include Fetty Wap and Monty into the storyline.
Fetty Wap was featured on the Fifth Harmony single "All in My Head (Flex)×All in My Head (Flex)22 May 2016 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1All in My Head (Flex) (original version)3:302All in My Head (Flex) (super clean)3:30". He released the single "Wake Up×Wake Up22 April 2016 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Wake Up3:44" in April 2016. The official music video for the song was filmed at his alma mater, Eastside High School. His single "Make You Feel Good×Make You Feel Good26 August 2016 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Make You Feel Good2:21" was released in August 2016.

On November 21, 2016, he released a 19 track mixtape titled Zoovier×Zoovier22 November 2016 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1My Wrist2:242To the Moon4:343Shit I Like4:264Shorty4:045Instant Friends3:276Priceless5:077Dont Love Me3:388Hate You3:019She Know4:2410Island Boyz4:1311Gucci3:3312We the Shit3:3213Strapped Up Shawty3:1914Island on My Chain2:4815King Zoo3:1416Friends3:5117Bad Lil Bitch2:4018Blue Band Weirdo3:0619Late Night Jawn2:53.
His song "Like a Star" features Nicki Minaj and was released in December 2016.
On January 4, 2017, he released the song "Way You Are×Way You Are3 February 2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Way You Are4:28" featuring Monty, and the song "Flip Phone×Flip Phone10 February 2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Flip Phone2:37" on February 10, 2017. He walked in Philipp Plein's runway show during New York Fashion Week in February 2017.
He released the single "Aye" on May 12, 2017. He released the mixtape Lucky No. 7×Lucky No. 77 June 2017 · EP · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Got a Thang3:172Stay Down3:023Feelings1:564Money in the Bank3:045Don't Know What to Do3:266Playa No More3:227Get Back2:32 on June 7, 2017. On August 18, 2017, he released the single "There She Go×There She Go18 August 2017 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1There She Go" featuring Monty. In October 2017, Fetty Wap featured in Cheat Codes' single "Feels Great×Feels Great13 October 2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Feels Great3:24" with CVBZ.
On January 19, 2018, Fetty Wap released the EP For My Fans III: The Final Chapter×For My Fans III: The Final Chapter19 January 2018 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Start It Up2:192Could You Believe It3:143Love the Way3:464Feels Right4:025Nobody Else4:196You Don't Know3:577Into Her2:548P.T.S.A.3:189Yomi3:3610Text Me3:0011About You3:0912Lotto3:30. He released the mixtape Bruce Wayne×Bruce Wayne7 June 2018 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Bruce Wayne (Intro)2So Different3Strawberry Kush4Look at Me5Bruce Wayne6All For You7Star Struck8Westin9What We Do10Wavy11Hit Some Corners in June 2018.
In 2018, it was reported that Fetty Wap had signed with Tr3yway Entertainment.
On June 7, 2019, Fetty Wap's birthday, he released the single "Birthday×Birthday7 June 2019 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Birthday3:08". On September 27, he released the song "Brand New×Brand New27 September 2019 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Brand New". On February 14, 2020, he released the mixtape Trap & B×Trap & B14 February 2020 · EP · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Black Friday2:242Reasons3:163Questions2:574Teach Me3:425RnB Shit2:176Just for You3:137FWY2:27.

2021–2025: The Butterfly Effect and King Zoo

On September 28, 2021, Fetty Wap previewed the song "Out The Hood" in an Instagram video with the caption "10/22 T.B.E", giving speculation of a single or mixtape release. On October 13, 2021, Fetty Wap posted the cover art for his upcoming album The Butterfly Effect×The Butterfly Effect22 October 2021 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Intro1:362Out The Hood3:183The Truth2:224Remember Me1:435That's Facts3:096Talk My Shit2:357Jack Boy3:108Mona Lisa2:379They Know My Name2:4910Got A Bag2:0511Milan2:5612Queen2:1013Yoshi1:3814My Moment2:2615Feel Me2:1316At Peace2:3417Outro1:07, six years following his debut; however on the intro, he sings "it's been seven years." The album was released on October 22, 2021, through 300 Entertainment & RGF Productions, marking the return of Fetty Wap after several mixtapes and numerous legal issues. The title derives from his late daughter, Lauren, where he drew inspiration for many elements of the album. In November 2022, Fetty Wap released his single "Sweet Yamz×Sweet Yamz18 November 2022 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Sweet Yamz1:45", a recreation of the song "Yamz" by Masego and Devin Morrison. The song went viral on the video sharing service TikTok and the song received positive reception, with singer Charlie Wilson releasing an unofficial remix through the app, and rapper Snoop Dogg calling it the "song of the year".
In November 2023, Fetty Wap released his third studio album King Zoo×King Zoo23 November 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Interlude (King Zoo Call)0:562Northern Lights3:083Spin the Block2:224Outside1:595Undeniable2:466Jet Li2:147Urus pt. 12:088Urus pt. 22:179Slide2:3910superhuman3:311117383:5012Thinkin’ Bout You2:3613Celebration3:3914King is on His Way3:2615Departure3:0416Sweet Yamz1:4517Private Party2:00, supported by the single released a year prior, "Sweet Yamz". The album was his first release following his incarceration and included a guest appearance from Coi Leray.
In early January 2025, Fetty Wap's song "Again×Again7 August 2015 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Again5:12" started to regain popularity on Instagram Reels and TikTok with the phrase saying "Blasting Fetty Wap on a JBL speaker."
In May 2025, Fetty Wap released a song recorded while he was in prison titled "Forever (71943509)×Forever (71943509)9 May 2025 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Forever (71943509)3:09" with the number in the title referencing his register number. Along with the song, his brother posted an online petition to end Fetty Wap's federal prison sentence.

2026–present: Release from prison and Zavier

On January 6, 2026, Fetty Wap was released from prison after spending over three years incarcerated. On March 16, 2026, he announced his comeback album, titled Zavier×Zavier27 March 2026 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Right Back to You2:362Like A Taylor3:393Real Love3:054White Roses3:445Nasty2:086N LUV3:277Spot Back2:438Favorite Girl3:569Fool For You4:5010Say When3:1211With It or What3:0912BossDon2:4413Eastside Mz4:1914LYG3:0115Real Ones3:4416Never Tell2:4317I Remember/Dear Zavier5:29. The album was released on March 27, 2026. It features 17 tracks, including features by artists Wiz Khalifa and G Herbo. Fetty Wap has described the project as a "reflection of a new chapter in [his] life".

Influences

Fetty Wap has referred to his music as "ignorant R&B," and combines singing and rapping.
Fetty Wap usually wears the flag of Haiti in honor of a former girlfriend's late grandmother and draws influences from Haitian culture. In an interview with CivilTV, he said that he "fell in love with the culture; people don't know what Haiti means to me." On several occasions, Fetty Wap has also cited Atlanta-based rapper Gucci Mane as a major influence in his music.

Legal issues

Over the years, Fetty Wap has been a defendant in multiple lawsuits and criminal charges, for reasons including copyright infringement, defamation, property damage and assault.
At 1:20 AM on November 2, 2017, he was arrested after being pulled over on a Brooklyn highway. He was subsequently charged with drunk driving, reckless endangerment, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, illegally changing lanes, and drag racing.
On October 29, 2021, federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment against Fetty Wap, charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances. He was arrested at Citi Field in Queens, New York, on federal drug charges. Fetty Wap was released on a $500,000 bond on November 5, 2021. He was put back in jail again on August 8, 2022, after violating the terms of his pretrial release. On August 22, 2022, he pleaded guilty to his drug charges, and, on May 24, 2023, Fetty Wap was sentenced to six years in prison in New York. He was imprisoned at FCI Sandstone, a low-security prison in Sandstone, Minnesota, and was released on January 8, 2026. He will remain under supervised release for the next five years.

Personal life

Fetty Wap is the father of six children with five women.
Fetty Wap and model Alexis Skyy's sex tape was leaked in January 2017. In early 2018, Skyy named Fetty Wap as the father of her daughter. In 2019, Wap publicly stated that he is not Alaiya's biological father, but is still a father figure to her, and his non-paternity was confirmed in December 2020.
Fetty Wap appeared on the third season on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, which documented his relationship with Masika Kalysha. He also appeared on the ninth season of Love & Hip Hop: New York which documented his relationship with Skyy.
In September 2019, Fetty Wap married model Leandra K. Gonzalez; they divorced after a year.
In June 2021, one of Fetty Wap's daughters died at the age of four. TMZ reported that her death certificate stated she had died of complications of a congenital heart arrhythmia, although her mother said on Instagram in August 2021 that the cause of death had not yet been fully determined.
He obtained his GED while imprisoned for federal drug charges.