Fetty Wap: Bio, Career, Prison, and Family Tragedy

Few rappers have experienced the kind of whiplash between triumph and tragedy as Fetty Wap. Born Willie Junior Maxwell II in Paterson, New Jersey, he shot to fame in 2014 with the irresistible hit “Trap Queen,” a song that peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and seemed to promise a long, bright career.

Real name: Willie Junior Maxwell II ·
Born: June 7, 1991 ·
Stage name origin: Derived from his alias ·
Known for: “Trap Queen” (2014) ·
Eye condition: Lost one eye due to glaucoma ·
Children: Multiple (at least 4)

Eight key facts that define Fetty Wap’s biography, from his legal name to his prison sentence.

What happened to Fetty Wap?

Fetty Wap’s rise to fame

Fetty Wap began taking music seriously in 2013 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). He first started as a rapper and later added singing because he wanted to do something different (AAE Music (booking agency)). His stage name combines “Fetty,” slang for money, with “Wap,” added as a tribute to Gucci Mane’s alias, Guwop (AAE Music (booking agency)).

His breakout single “Trap Queen” helped him sign with 300 Entertainment, an imprint of Atlantic Records (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2015 (Kiddle (children’s encyclopedia)). He later scored additional top-10 hits with “679” and “My Way,” the latter featuring Drake (Kiddle (children’s encyclopedia)). His self-titled debut album, released in 2015, reached number one on the Billboard 200 (Kiddle (children’s encyclopedia)).

Fetty Wap’s legal issues and prison sentence

Fetty Wap was arrested in 2021 on federal drug trafficking charges (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). He was convicted and received a six-year federal prison sentence in 2023 (Kiddle (children’s encyclopedia)). According to Wikipedia, he was released from prison on January 6, 2026 after spending over three years incarcerated (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

While imprisoned, he earned his GED (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). He announced a comeback album titled Zavier on March 16, 2026, which was released on March 27, 2026, featuring 17 tracks and guest appearances by Wiz Khalifa and G Herbo (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

“Zavier is a reflection of a new chapter in my life.” — Fetty Wap, as reported by Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)

How many baby mamas does Fetty Wap have?

Children with different partners

Fetty Wap has at least four children with different women (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). His children include Zyair, Zaviera, and others whose names have not been publicly confirmed (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Paternity details

The exact number of his children remains unclear, as Fetty Wap has not publicly listed all of them. The rapper reportedly values his role as a father, though the mothers of his children have largely stayed out of the spotlight.

The catch: While Fetty Wap has spoken openly about some of his children, the lack of a complete family tree leaves fans guessing.

Why did Fetty Wap’s daughter pass away?

Amani’s death

Fetty Wap’s daughter Amani died at age 4 in 2021 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Family reaction and public statement

Fetty Wap posted a tribute to his daughter on Instagram (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). The post expressed grief and love, but he did not provide details about the circumstances.

What this means: The loss of a child is a tragedy that no amount of fame can soften, and Fetty Wap’s decision to keep the cause private is his right, even as speculation persists.

Why did Fetty Wap quit making music?

Legal troubles affecting music career

Fetty Wap was largely inactive in music after 2018 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). His legal case contributed to his reduced output (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Post-incarceration plans

His 2026 album Zavier indicates a potential comeback.

The pattern: Fetty Wap’s music career effectively halted when his legal troubles began. The prison sentence created a gap that his new album aims to close.

What does 1738 mean for Fetty Wap?

1738 as a code or drink

1738 is a reference to the André champagne brand (the French champagne house has a cuvée named 1738) (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). Fetty Wap uses ‘1738’ in his lyrics and branding (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Lyric references and trademark

He trademarked ‘1738’ for merchandise (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). The number became synonymous with his identity, appearing in songs, ad-libs, and social media handles.

Why this matters: ‘1738’ is more than a catchphrase — it’s a brand asset that Fetty Wap legally protected, showing his business acumen beyond music.

At what age did Fetty Wap lose his eye?

Glaucoma diagnosis

Fetty Wap was born with glaucoma in both eyes (AAE Music (booking agency)). Doctors were unable to save his left eye (AAE Music (booking agency)).

Eye loss timeline

He lost his left eye as a child due to congenital glaucoma (AAE Music (booking agency)). A 2015 interview reported that he wore a prosthetic until around age 12 and then stopped wearing it because he liked how it set him apart (Mic (news outlet)). He now wears a prosthetic eye (AAE Music (booking agency)).

The trade-off: What could have been a setback became a distinctive part of Fetty Wap’s image — a reminder that his uniqueness was not just in his music.

What happened to Fetty Wap’s wife?

Marital status

Fetty Wap was married to Leandra K. Gonzalez in September 2019 (Rap/Hip-Hop Wiki (fan wiki)). They have a child together but are no longer together (Rap/Hip-Hop Wiki (fan wiki)).

Public relationship details

Leandra Gonzalez has not made public statements about Fetty Wap’s legal case (Rap/Hip-Hop Wiki (fan wiki)). The couple’s relationship remains private.

What this means: Fetty Wap’s personal relationships have been kept largely out of the public eye, even as his legal and family tragedies attracted attention.

Timeline

Six dates that chart Fetty Wap’s journey from a New Jersey teenager to a federal inmate and aspiring comeback artist.

• 1991 – Born in Paterson, New Jersey (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2014 – Released “Trap Queen” and rose to fame (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2021 – Arrested for drug trafficking; daughter Amani dies (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2023 – Sentenced to 6 years in prison (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2026 – Released from prison (reported); announces album Zavier (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• Fetty Wap was born in 1991 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• He is serving a 6-year sentence for drug trafficking (Kiddle (children’s encyclopedia))
• He lost his eye to glaucoma (AAE Music (booking agency))
• His daughter Amani died in 2021 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• He released a comeback album in 2026 titled Zavier (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))

What’s unclear

• Exact number of children (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• Cause of daughter’s death (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• Exact release date from prison (reported as 2026) (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• Future music activity after Zavier (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))

Summary

Fetty Wap’s story is one of extreme highs and devastating lows. From a chart-topping debut to a federal prison cell, and from the loss of a child to a tentative comeback, his life defies easy categorization. For fans who grew up on “Trap Queen,” the challenge is to separate the artist from the headlines — and to watch whether Zavier truly marks a new beginning or just a closing chapter.

Fans of hip-hop biographies might also enjoy exploring fellow rapper DDGs biography, which details his rise from YouTube fame to a multifaceted entertainment career.

Frequently asked questions