Fetty Wap, born Willie Junior Maxwell II on June 7, 1991, in Patterson, New Jersey, rose to fame with his 2014 diamond-certified single “Trap Queen.” He attended East Side High School before dropping out to pursue music, adopting his stage name as a tribute to Gucci Mane.

After his release from federal prison in January 2026, Fetty Wap has been navigating a tightly regulated existence under home confinement in Philadelphia, a condition of his supervised release following a six-year sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He was originally arrested by FBI agents at Rolling Loud New York in October 2021, just days after releasing his long-delayed album “The Butterfly Effect.” The federal investigation alleged he was involved in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine between June 2019 and June 2020.

Prior to his incarceration, Fetty Wap experienced significant personal losses. In October 2020, his close friend Twi Dew was shot and killed in Patterson. Less than eight months later, in June 2021, his four-year-old daughter, Lauren Maxwell, died due to complications from a congenital heart defect. These events preceded his arrest at the music festival.
During his time at FCI Sandstone in Minnesota, Fetty Wap earned his GED and completed HVAC courses. He also participated in rehabilitation and education programs, which contributed to an early release under the First Step Act. His release date was moved forward from March 2027 to January 7, 2026. Upon his release, he was transferred to community confinement overseen by the Bureau of Prisons’ Philadelphia Residential Re-entry Management Office.

Following his release, Fetty Wap released his fourth studio album, “Zavir,” on March 27, 2026, via 300 Entertainment. He began recording on the day of his release and completed the bulk of the album within three days. The album features collaborations with Wiz Khalifa, Max B, G Herbo, Honey Bxby, and Tink. He also performed a sold-out homecoming show at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey, as part of an East Coast tour.
Fetty Wap has stated that his focus is on giving back through community initiatives and a foundation supporting at-risk children. He is under home confinement until November 2026 and will face five years of supervised release, during which he must submit to regular drug testing and cannot open new bank accounts without federal approval. He has described the psychological residue of incarceration, including waking up each morning and reaching for a bunk that is no longer there, and feeling anxious in crowds.