Fetty Wap

Willie Maxwell II (born June 7, 1991), known professionally as Fetty Wap, is an American singer, rapper, 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 Fetty Wap secure a record deal with 300 Entertainment. He subsequently released two Top 10 singles in the U.S., "679" and "My Way". Fetty Wap's eponymously titled debut album was released in September 2015 and reached number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.

Early life
Willie Maxwell was born on June 7, 1991 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 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 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]

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, 2015 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'srunway 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]

Musical style
Fetty Wap has referred to his music as "ignorant R&B".[47] He combines singingand rapping.[48]

Influences
Fetty Wap usually wears the flag of Haiti in honor of his daughter's grandmother who had died[49] and draws influences from Haitian culture.[50] In an interview with CivilTV, he said that he "fell in love with the culture; people don't know what Haiti means to me." He also talked about how unity has built his career and how it overpowers everything. He explained that he didn't really grow up off of love and mentions the struggles he has had. Still, he had felt the mutual love for the Haitian people, and stresses that he does not wear the flag for the looks, but for appreciation.[49] On several occasions, Fetty Wap has also cited Atlanta-based rapper Gucci Mane as a major influence in his music.[47][51]

Personal life
Fetty Wap is the father of seven children.[52][53][54][55] They include Aydin Zoovier (born 2011) with childhood girlfriend Ariel Reese,[56] Eliza "ZaZa" Zaviera (born 2015) with Lehzae Zeona,[57] Amani (born 2016) with Elaynna Parker, Khari (born 2016) with Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood star Masika Kalysha,[58][59] Lauren (born 2016) with exotic dancer Turquoise Miami,[60] and Alaiya (born 2018) with ex-girlfriend Alexis Skyy.[61] Lezhae Zeona gave birth to her second child with Fetty in 2018, a boy named Zy.[62]

Wap appeared on the third season on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, which documented his strained relationship with Masika.[63] He will appear on the 9th season of Love & Hip Hop: New York documenting his strained relationship with Alexis Skyy.[64]

Discography
Main article: Fetty Wap discography
 * Fetty Wap (2015)