Fetty Wap breaks silence after early prison release

Fetty Wap has shared his first public message after being released early from prison, thanking fans for their support and outlining what he plans to focus on next.

The 34-year-old rapper, whose real name is Willie Junior Maxwell II, was transferred to community confinement on January 7, according to the US Bureau of Prisons. He is no longer in custody and will now serve the remainder of his sentence under home confinement, which is set to end on November 8.

Maxwell had been incarcerated since August 2022 and was originally expected to remain in prison until late 2026.

Shortly after news of his release emerged, the Trap Queen rapper appeared to confirm it by posting a single word, “home”, on his Instagram story.

Fetty Wap thanks fans in first post-release message

In a statement shared through his publicist, Abesi Manyando, Maxwell expressed gratitude to those who supported him during his time behind bars.

“I want to thank my family, friends, and fans for the love, prayers, and continued support. It truly means everything to me,” he said.

He added that his focus now is on giving back through his community initiatives and foundation.

“Right now, my focus is on supporting at-risk young children by expanding access to education, early tech skills and vision care so they can show up as their best selves,” he said. “I’m committed to moving forward with purpose and making a meaningful impact where it matters most.”

Why Fetty Wap was in prison

Maxwell was arrested in October 2021 in Queens, New York, just days before he was scheduled to perform at Rolling Loud NYC, after federal charges were unsealed accusing him of being part of what prosecutors described as a multimillion-dollar, bicoastal drug distribution organisation.

According to US attorneys, the group used the US Postal Service and vehicles with hidden compartments to transport narcotics from the West Coast to Long Island and New Jersey.

Prosecutors said more than 100 kilograms of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine were distributed between June 2019 and June 2020.

Maxwell initially pleaded not guilty and was released on a $500,000 bond, but he was ordered back into detention in August 2022. He later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

In May 2023, he was sentenced to six years in prison and five years of supervised release. He had been serving his sentence at a low-security federal facility in Minnesota.

Fetty Wap continued releasing music from prison

Despite his incarceration, Maxwell continued releasing new music.

He dropped the single Forever (71943509) in May, followed by Lil Sexy with Doe Boy in June. He also released a full-length album titled King Zoo in 2023.

Aasiya Niaz