Fetty Wap

Willie Junior Maxwell II (born June 7, 1991), better known by his stage name Fetty Wap, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He rose to prominence after his debut single "Trap Queen" reached number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 2015. This helped Maxwell secure a record deal with 300 Entertainment, and eventually Atlantic Records (which distributes 300 Entertainment physically). He subsequently released two Top 10 singles in the U.S., "679" and "My Way". Both were featured on Fetty Wap's eponymously titled debut album, released in September 2015 and peaking atop the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.

This article is about the rapper. For his eponymous debut album, see Fetty Wap (album).

Fetty Wap
Maxwell performing in 2015
Background information
Birth nameWillie Junior Maxwell II[1]
Born (1991-06-07) June 7, 1991
Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2013–present
Labels
Associated acts
Spouse(s)
Leandra Gonzalez
​
(m. 2019)​
Children6
Websitefettywap.com

Early life

Willie Junior Maxwell II was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey.[2][3] Maxwell, born with glaucoma in both eyes, revealed in a 2015 interview that doctors were unable to save his left eye and instead fitted him with an ocular prosthesis.[4] He began taking an interest in music in 2013. Initially starting off as only a rapper, he later decided to start singing as well because he "wanted to do something different". He attended Eastside High School before dropping out in order to pursue his music career. He was nicknamed "Fetty" (slang for money) as he was known for making money. "Wap" was added to the end of the name to perform under in tribute to Gucci Mane's alias, Guwop.[5][6][7]

Career

2014–2015: Beginnings and debut album

Fetty Wap's commercial debut single, titled "Trap Queen", was released in early 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 130 million plays on SoundCloud. In November 2014, Fetty Wap represented by Attorney Navarro W. Gray[8][9][10][11] secured a recording contract with 300 Entertainment, the imprint was founded by Lyor Cohen, Kevin Liles, Roger Gold and Todd Moscowitz, as well as a distribution deal with Atlantic Records.[12][13] The song "Trap Queen" is about a woman dealing and cooking crack cocaine.[14][15] His debut mixtape, Fetty Wap: The Mixtape was originally set for release in February 2015, but was delayed because he continued to create new songs.[16] In June 2015, Wap was included in XXL's 2015 Freshman Class.[17]

On June 29, 2015, Wap released his second single "679". 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 Wap. The Remy Boyz version was removed from the album.[18] His next single, "My Way", 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.[19] Afterwards, "679" reached the Hot 100 top 10 peaking at number four.[20]

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.[21] With his fourth single "Again", 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.[22]

Wap's debut studio album Fetty Wap was released on September 25, 2015.[23] The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, with 129,000 equivalent album units (75,484 in pure album sales).[24] Wap subsequently released two mixtapes for streaming only: Coke Zoo in collaboration with French Montana[25] and ZOO 16: The Mixtape with Zoo Gang.[26] Wap received two nominations at the 58th Grammy Awards.[27]

2016–present: Zoovier and other releases

On February 5, 2016, Fetty Wap released a new single titled "Jimmy Choo".[28] 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.[29] 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.[30] The Fetty Wap version will include Fetty Wap and Monty into the storyline.[31]

Wap was featured on the Fifth Harmony 2016 single "All in My Head (Flex)". He released the single "Wake Up" in April 2016. The official music video for the song was filmed at his alma mater, Eastside High School.[32] His single "Make You Feel Good" was released in August 2016.[33]

On November 21, 2016, he released a 19 track mixtape titled Zoovier.[34]

His song "Like a Star" features Nicki Minaj and was released in December 2016.[35]

On January 4, 2017, he released the song "Way You Are" featuring Monty,[36] and the song "Flip Phone" on February 10, 2017.[37] He walked in Philipp Plein's runway show during New York Fashion Week in February 2017.[38]

Wap released the single "Aye" on May 12, 2017.[39] He released the mixtape Lucky No. 7 on June 7, 2017.[40] On August 18, 2017, the single "There She Go" featuring Monty was released.[41] In October 2017, Wap featured in Cheat Codes' single "Feels Great" with CVBZ.[42]

At 1:20 AM on November 2, 2017, Wap was arrested after being pulled over on a Brooklyn highway. He was subsequently charged with reckless endangerment, drunk driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, illegally changing lanes, and drag racing.[43]

On January 19, 2018, Wap released the EP For My Fans III: The Final Chapter.[44] He released the mixtape Bruce Wayne in June 2018.[45]

On June 7, 2019, Fetty Wap's birthday, he released the single "Birthday".[46] On September 27, he released the song "Brand New".[47] On February 14, 2020, he released the mixtape Trap & B.[48]

Artistry
Fetty Wap at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York in 2015

Fetty Wap has referred to his music as "ignorant R&B".[49] He combines singing and rapping.[50]

Fetty Wap usually wears the flag of Haiti in honor of his daughter's late grandmother[51] and draws influences from Haitian culture.[52] In an interview with CivilTV, he said that he "fell in love with the culture; people don't know what Haiti means to me."[51] On several occasions, Fetty Wap has also cited Atlanta-based rapper Gucci Mane as a major influence in his music.[49][53]

Personal life

Fetty Wap is the father of six children with five women.[54][55][56] [57][58] [59][60][61][62] [63]

  1. Aydin (born May 2011) with Ariel Reese
  2. Zaviera (born March 2015) with Lezhae Zeona
  3. Khari (born March 2016) with Masika Kalysha
  4. Amani (born April 2016) with Elaynna Parker
  5. Lauren (born 2016) with Turquoise Miami
  6. Zy (born 2018) with Lezhae Zeona

In early 2018 Alexis Skyy named Fetty Wap as the father of her daughter Alaiya. In 2019 Fetty Wap publicly stated that he is not Alaiya's biological dad but is still a father figure to her. In December 2020, Brandon Medford was revealed to be Alaiya's biological father.


Maxwell appeared on the third season on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, which documented his strained relationship with Masika.[64] He also appeared on the ninth season of Love & Hip Hop: New York which documented his strained relationship with Alexis Skyy. [65]

In September 2019, Maxwell privately married model Leandra K. Gonzalez.[66]

Over the years, Maxwell has been on the receiving end of multiple lawsuits for instances including copyright infringement, defamation, property damage and assault.[67][68]

Awards and nominations
YearAwardsNominated workCategoryResultRef.
2015 MC100 Award "Trap Queen" Most-Played Video of the Year Won [69]
BET Awards — Best New Artist Nominated [70]
MTV Video Music Awards "Trap Queen" Artist to Watch Won [71]
Best Hip-Hop Video Nominated
"My Way" Song of Summer [72]
BET Hip Hop Awards — Who Blew Up Award Won [73]
"Trap Queen" Best Hip Hop Video Nominated
Best Club Banger
People's Champ Award
"My Way" (featuring Monty) Best Collabo, Duo or Group
American Music Awards — New Artist of the Year [74]
Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist
2016 People's Choice Awards — Favorite Breakout Artist [75]
Grammy Awards "Trap Queen" Best Rap Song [27]
Best Rap Performance
iHeartRadio Music Awards — Best New Artist Won [76]
Hip Hop Artist of the Year Nominated
"Trap Queen" Hip Hop Song of the Year
Billboard Music Awards — Top New Artist Won [77]
Top Male Artist Nominated
Top Hot 100 Artist
Top Song Sales Artist
Top Streaming Songs Artist
Top Rap Artist
"Trap Queen" Top Hot 100 Song
Top Streaming Song (Audio)
Top Streaming Song (Video)
Top Rap Song
"679" (featuring Remy Boyz) Top Rap Song
American Music Awards — Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist [78]
"679" (featuring Remy Boyz) Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Song
Fetty Wap Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album

Discography
Main article: Fetty Wap discography

References
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