Fetty Wap

Fetty Wap

Fetty Wap performing in August 2015
Background information
Birth name Willie Maxwell II[1]
Born (1991-06-07) June 7, 1991[2][3]
Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active 2014–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website www.fettywap.com

Willie Maxwell II (born June 7, 1991) is an American rapper better known by his stage name Fetty Wap. 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, a record label distributed by Atlantic Records. 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][5] 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.[6] 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.[7][8][9]

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[10][11][12][13] 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.[14][15] The song "Trap Queen" is about a woman dealing and cooking crack cocaine.[16][17] 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.[18] In June 2015, Wap was included in XXL's 2015 Freshman Class.[19]

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[20] 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.[21] Afterwards, "679" reached the Hot 100 top 10 peaking at number four.[22]

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.[23] 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.[24]

Wap's debut studio album Fetty Wap was released on September 25, 2015.[25] The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, with 129,000 equivalent album units (75,484 in pure album sales).[26] Wap subsequently released two mixtapes for streaming only: Coke Zoo in collaboration with French Montana[27] and ZOO 16: The Mixtape with Zoo Gang.[28] Wap received two nominations at the 58th Grammy Awards.[29]

2016-present: Zoovier, Lucky No. 7, and King Zoo

On February 5, 2016, Fetty Wap released a new single titled "Jimmy Choo".[30] On April 26, 2016, it was announced that Fetty Wap will be getting his own mobile racing game that will be available on phone, tablet, and Apple TV starting on May 3.[31] 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.[32] The Fetty Wap version will include Fetty Wap and Monty into the storyline.[33]

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.[34] His single "Make You Feel Good" was released in August 2016.[35]

On November 21, 2016, he released a 19 track mixtape titled Zoovier.[36]

His song "Like a Star" features Nicki Minaj and was released in December 2016.[37]

On January 4, 2017, he released the song "Way You Are" featuring Monty,[38] and the song "Flip Phone" on February 10, 2017.[39] He walked in Philipp Plein's runway show during New York Fashion Week in February 2017.[40]

Wap released the single "Aye" on May 12, 2017 as the lead single from the album King Zoo, set to be released in 2017.[41] He released the mixtape Lucky No. 7 on June 7, 2017.[42]

Artistry

Musical style

Fetty Wap has referred to his music as "ignorant R&B".[43] He utilizes the Auto-Tune pitch correction effect, as well as combining singing and rapping.[44]

Influences

Fetty Wap usually wears the flag of Haiti in honor of his daughter's grandmother who had died[45] and draws influences from Haitian culture.[46] 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.[45] On several occasions, Fetty Wap has also cited Atlanta-based rapper Gucci Mane as a major influence in his music.[43][47]

Personal life

Fetty Wap is the father of three children.[48][49][50][51] As of 2016, he co-stars with Masika Kalysha, the mother of his youngest baby Khari, on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood which will document their relationship as new parents.[52]

Awards and nominations

Year Awards Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2015 MC100 Award "Trap Queen" Most-Played Video of the Year Won [53]
BET Awards — Best New Artist Nominated [54]
MTV Video Music Awards "Trap Queen" Artist to Watch Won [55]
Best Hip-Hop Video Nominated
"My Way" Song of Summer [56]
BET Hip Hop Awards — Who Blew Up Award Won [57]
"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 [58]
Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist
2016 People's Choice Awards — Favorite Breakout Artist [59]
Grammy Awards "Trap Queen" Best Rap Song [29]
Best Rap Performance
iHeartRadio Music Awards — Best New Artist Won [60]
Hip Hop Artist of the Year Nominated
"Trap Queen" Hip Hop Song of the Year
Billboard Music Awards — Top New Artist Won [61]
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 [62]
"679" (featuring Remy Boyz) Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Song
Fetty Wap Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album

Discography

References

  1. ↑ "Fetty Wap - Bio". Fetty Wap. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 Martinez, Angie. "Fetty Wap Interview, Angie Martinez Power 105.1, June 2015". YouTube. TheBreakfastClub. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Fetty Wap - 679 lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved March 23, 2016. Fetty took to Twitter to explain that the title of the song comes from his birthday, June 7, 1991.
  4. ↑ "PnB Rock & Fetty Wap - Money, Hoes & Flows [New Mixtape]". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  5. ↑ MICHAEL J. FEENEY. "Paterson rapper Fetty Wap rising to the top of the music charts". NorthJersey.com.
  6. ↑ Mojica, Nicholas (February 7, 2015). "Rapper Fetty Wap Reveals How He Lost His Left Eye". Design & Trend.
  7. ↑ Lilah, Rose (ed.). "On The Come Up: Fetty Wap". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  8. ↑ "Fetty Wap". South by Southwest. 2015.
  9. ↑ "12 Facts You Need To Know About 'Trap Queen' Rapper Fetty Wap". Capital Xtra.
  10. ↑ "Fetty Wap hands out 200 turkeys in Paterson – News". NorthJersey.com.
  11. ↑ "Publishing Briefs: Sony/ATV Signs Fetty Wap, Universal Buys Snidest Music Catalog & More". Billboard.
  12. ↑ "Fetty Wap Inks Big Deal With Sony". Streetz 94.5.
  13. ↑ "Why Are Entertainment Lawyers Important To Artist?". The Daily Dose.
  14. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (February 13, 2015). "Who Is Fetty Wap? 8 Things To Know about Kanye West's Latest Co-Sign". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  15. ↑ Don Bleek. "Paterson, New Jersey’s Fetty Wap Signs Record Deal With 300 Entertainment/Atlantic Records".
  16. ↑ Iandoli, Kathy (2015-08-07). "Fetty Wap Reveals Druggy Origins of Hip-Hop Smash "Trap Queen"". Maxim. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  17. ↑ "The Hidden Meaning Of Fetty Wap’s "Trap Queen"". Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  18. ↑ Kennedy, John (March 5, 2015). "'Trap Queen' Rapper Fetty Wap: 'I'ma Be the Youngest Rapper With One Eye, But a Lot of Money'". Billboard.
  19. ↑ "2015 XXL Freshman Class Revealed.". BallerStatus.com. June 3, 2015.
  20. ↑ "679" feat. Remy Boyz on YouTube
  21. ↑ Silvio Pietroluongo (July 27, 2015). "OMI's 'Cheerleader' No. 1 for Third Week on Hot 100". Billboard. (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Fetty Wap - Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Fetty Wap Matches Eminem, Lil Wayne History On Billboard Charts". BallerStatus.com. July 30, 2015.
  24. ↑ Mendizabal, Amaya (August 20, 2015). "Fetty Wap Makes History on Hot Rap Songs Chart". Billboard. (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Fetty Wap Reveals Album Cover". Rap-Up. August 26, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Fetty Wap Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  27. ↑ "French Montana & Fetty Wap - Coke Zoo [New Mixtape]". Hot New Hip Hop. October 27, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Fetty Wap & Zoo Gang - ZOO 16: The Mixtape [New Mixtape]". Hot New Hip Hop. February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  29. 1 2 "Grammy Nominations 2016: See the Full List of Nominees". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Fetty Wap - Jimmy Choo [New Song]". Hot New Hip Hop. November 5, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  31. ↑ Low, Carver (April 26, 2016). "Fetty Wap to get own mobile racing game". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  32. ↑ McIntyre, Hugh (April 26, 2016). "Fetty Wap Is Going Mobile With His Own Branded Game". Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  33. ↑ Platon, Adelle (April 26, 2016). "Race with Fetty Wap in Forthcoming Mobile App 'Nitro Nation Stories'". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  34. ↑ Josephs, Brian (27 May 2016). "Fetty Wap Returns To High School For ‘Wake Up’ Video | SPIN". Spin. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  35. ↑ "New Music: Fetty Wap – 'Make You Feel Good'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  36. ↑ C.M., Emmanuel. "Fetty Wap Drops 'Zoovier' Mixtape - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  37. ↑ "New Music: Fetty Wap feat. Nicki Minaj – 'Like a Star'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  38. ↑ C.M., Emmanuel. "Fetty Wap and Monty Keep the Party Going on "Way You Are"". XXL Mag. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  39. ↑ "Flip Phone - Single by Fetty Wap on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  40. ↑ Safronova, Valeriya (14 February 2017). "Fashion Week Briefing: Tiffany Trump and an All-Immigrant Casting". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  41. ↑ Craighead, Olivia. "Fetty Wap Releases New Video For “Aye”". The FADER. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  42. 1 2 Goddard, Mike. "Fetty Wap - Lucky No. 7 - Download & Listen [New Mixtape]". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  43. 1 2 "Fetty Wap Names Gucci Mane As Influence Behind His "Ignorant R&B" Music - MaseTV". June 22, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  44. ↑ Design&Trend (October 31, 2015). "Fetty Wap, Drake, Future, Mos Def? The Top 5 Singing Rappers Of All Time". Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  45. 1 2 Fetty Wap (2015). Fetty Wap - Welcome To My Neighborhood. USA: #CivilTV. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  46. ↑ Bertha, Mike, ed. (2 November 2015). "In honor of Fetty Wap, Eric Hosmer's ninth-inning run came exactly 17:38 into the World Series". MLB. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  47. ↑ ForbezDVDPromo (September 24, 2014). "Fetty Wap Talks Being Influenced By Gucci Mane And Representing Paterson New Jersey". Retrieved October 1, 2016 – via YouTube.
  48. ↑ "Fetty Wap -- Beaming With Pride At Baby Khari's 1st Doctor Visit (VIDEO)". Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  49. ↑ "Here's Everything You Need to Know About Fetty Wap's Baby Mama Drama". Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  50. ↑ "Fetty Wap Says 'All Lives Matter' Because His 'Kids Are Mixed,' Apologizes After Backlash". Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  51. ↑ "Fetty Wap and Masika Kalysha welcome the baby girl he denied was his". Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  52. ↑ "Fetty Wap Joins VH1’s "Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood" - Pitchfork". Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  53. ↑ Julious, Britt (June 14, 2015). "Fetty Wap Gets Emotional After Winning His First Award". MTV news. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  54. ↑ "BET Awards 2015 Nominations: Chris Brown & Nicki Minaj Lead". Billboard. May 18, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  55. ↑ "2015 MTV Video Music Awards Nominees Revealed: Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran & More". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  56. ↑ "2015 MTV Video Music Awards Song of Summer". MTV.com. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Drake Leads BET Hip-Hop Awards 2015 Nominations". Rap-Up. September 15, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  58. ↑ "2015 American Music Awards: Taylor Swift Leads Nominations". Prometheus Global Media. Billboard. October 13, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
  59. ↑ "2016 Nominees & Winners". People's Choice Awards. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  60. ↑ "iHeartRadio Music Awards 2016: See the Full Winners List". Billboard. April 3, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  61. ↑ "Billboard Music Awards 2016: See the Finalists". Billboard Staff. Billboard. April 11, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  62. ↑ "Drake Sets Record with 13 2016 American Music Awards Nominations; Rihanna Second with Seven". Billboard. October 10, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
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