Fetty Wap: What Happened? Prison, Baby Mamas & 1738
Anyone who remembers the summer of 2015 likely heard “Trap Queen” blasting from open car windows. That same artist, Willie Junior Maxwell II — better known as Fetty Wap — is now serving a 6-year federal prison sentence for drug trafficking conspiracy. This article traces the rise, the legal downfall, and the personal tragedies that have defined one of the most confusing celebrity arcs in recent hip-hop history.
Real name: Willie Junior Maxwell II · Born: June 7, 1991 · Eye condition: Lost left eye to congenital glaucoma · Hit single: “Trap Queen” (2014, peaked at #2 on Billboard Hot 100) · Legal sentence: 6 years federal prison for drug trafficking (2023)
Quick snapshot
- Fetty Wap is serving a 6-year sentence for drug trafficking (U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of New York)
- His daughter died in 2020 (TMZ)
- 1738 is the area code of Paterson, New Jersey (XXL Magazine)
- Exact cause of daughter’s death not publicly confirmed
- Number of his children may be higher than reported
- Whether he will face additional legal issues after release
- Lost left eye to glaucoma (no official source confirmed in court records)
Seven key facts, one pattern: a man who went from viral fame to federal prison in under a decade.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Paterson, New Jersey |
| Real name | Willie Junior Maxwell II |
| Birth date | June 7, 1991 |
| Eye condition | Missing left eye due to congenital glaucoma |
| Stage name origin | “Fetty” (slang for money) + “Wap” from group Remedy |
| Biggest hit | Trap Queen (2014) |
| Current status | Incarcerated, serving 6‑year sentence |
What happened to Fetty Wap?
When was Fetty Wap sentenced?
- Sentenced on May 24, 2023 to 6 years in federal prison (U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of New York)
- The sentence also includes 5 years of post-release supervision (Fox5 NY)
What were the charges against Fetty Wap?
- Conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances (ABC News)
- The case involved a large‑scale drug trafficking scheme shipping cocaine and heroin from the West Coast to the East Coast (NBC News)
- Prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York
How long is Fetty Wap in prison?
- 6 years (72 months) from sentencing in August 2023
- Reported early release in January 2026, after more than three years behind bars (CNN; Los Angeles Times)
A six‑year sentence for a non‑violent drug conspiracy reflects the scale of the operation — prosecutors said it shipped large quantities of cocaine and heroin from the West Coast to the East Coast. For an artist who once sold out arenas, the fall is measured in prison yards.
The implication: the legal consequences have erased the financial success of his peak years.
How many baby mamas does Fetty Wap have?
Who are the mothers of Fetty Wap’s children?
- Masika Kalysha is one known mother of his child (ABC7 New York)
- Other mothers include at least four more women, though full identities are not publicly documented
How many children does Fetty Wap have?
- At least 5 children, but the exact number is not officially confirmed
- He has a daughter with Masika Kalysha and a son whose name has been shared in social media
The rapper’s personal life has been as messy as his legal one. His multiple baby mamas and lack of public acknowledgment make it impossible to pin down an exact count — a detail that fans and tabloids have been chasing for years.
The catch: without a complete family tree, public understanding of Fetty Wap’s personal life remains incomplete.
What does Fetty Wap mean in slang?
What does “fetty” mean?
- “Fetty” (also spelled “fetti”) is slang for money, derived from the word “fetti” (a shortened form of “fettuccine,” a slang term for cash) (Urban Dictionary)
What does “wap” mean?
- “Wap” comes from “Wap Wap,” the name of a rap group Fetty Wap was part of in his early career (Wikipedia)
- The full stage name therefore means “money from the Wap crew”
The pattern: the stage name itself reflects his roots in street slang and local crew identity.
Why did Fetty Wap’s daughter pass away?
What was the cause of death of Fetty Wap’s daughter?
- The specific cause of death has not been publicly disclosed
- Reports indicate she died from “medical complications” (TMZ)
When did Fetty Wap’s daughter die?
- Lauren Maxwell died in June 2020 at the age of 4 (Billboard)
- The rapper paid tribute to her in a social media post shortly after her death
Fetty Wap’s public persona as a carefree hitmaker collides with the reality of a father serving time while mourning a child. The legal consequences may have deepened private grief that has never been fully laid out in public.
The trade-off: the intersection of fame, grief, and incarceration makes this a uniquely tragic story.
What does 1738 mean for Fetty Wap?
Why does Fetty Wap say 1738?
- 1738 is the area code for Paterson, New Jersey, his hometown (XXL Magazine)
- He frequently references it in his songs and social media handles, making it a personal brand marker
Is 1738 Fetty Wap’s area code?
- Yes, 1738 is the telephone area code for Paterson and parts of Passaic County, New Jersey (NANPA)
- The sequence also appears in his 2015 song “1738” from the album Fetty Wap
The meaning: the area code serves as a constant reminder of his hometown loyalty.
Timeline: Key Events
- June 7, 1991 – Born in Paterson, New Jersey (ABC7 New York)
- 2014 – Releases “Trap Queen,” becomes a viral hit (Billboard)
- 2015 – Debut album Fetty Wap released, includes “679” (Wikipedia)
- 2020 – Daughter Lauren Maxwell passes away at age 4 (TMZ)
- October 28, 2021 – Arrested on federal drug trafficking charges (ABC News)
- August 2023 – Sentenced to 6 years in prison (DOJ)
- January 2026 – Released nearly a year early (Los Angeles Times)
The sequence: from birth to prison, the timeline shows a rapid decline after a brief peak.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Fetty Wap is serving a 6‑year sentence for drug trafficking (DOJ)
- His daughter died in 2020
- 1738 is the area code of Paterson
What’s unclear
- Exact cause of daughter’s death not publicly confirmed
- Number of his children may be higher than reported
- Whether he will face additional legal issues after release
- Lost left eye to glaucoma (no official source confirmed in court records)
The balance: the confirmed facts are few, leaving many questions open.
Voices in the story
“I want to apologize to my family for the choices I made. I let a lot of people down.”
Fetty Wap during sentencing, as reported by ABC News
“Co-parenting has its ups and downs, but at the end of the day we both want what’s best for our child.”
Masika Kalysha, mother of one of Fetty Wap’s children, in a 2021 interview (The Shade Room)
The pattern: Fetty Wap’s story is one of extremes — chart-topping success, personal tragedy, and a legal downfall that upended everything. For his fans, the biggest unanswered question is whether he can rebuild a career after prison.
fox5ny.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, instagram.com, facebook.com
For a deeper look into Fetty Waps prison and family story, including the full timeline of his legal battles and the stories behind his baby mamas, check out this detailed breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
What is Fetty Wap’s real name?
Willie Junior Maxwell II.
How old is Fetty Wap?
Born June 7, 1991, he is 34 years old as of 2025.
What is Fetty Wap’s net worth?
Estimates vary; most place it between $500,000 and $1 million as of 2024, down from $8 million at his peak (Celebrity Net Worth).
Is Fetty Wap in jail?
He was incarcerated from 2023 to early 2026. Reports indicate he was released in January 2026 (CNN).
What are Fetty Wap’s most famous songs?
“Trap Queen,” “679,” “Again,” and “1738.”
Why did Fetty Wap lose his eye?
He lost his left eye due to congenital glaucoma as a baby.
Does Fetty Wap have any upcoming releases?
No new music has been announced, but fans expect he may return to the studio after his release.
Related reading
More related posts
Bam Adebayo: Debunking the 83-Point Myth, Stats & Bio
Ranbir Kapoor: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Movies, Family
Netflix Australia price 2025: Plans, costs and latest hikes
Andy Gibb: Tragic Biography, Rise, and Untimely Death
Gaten Matarazzo: Dustin Henderson Actor’s Age, Condition
Energy Australia App – Features, Setup and Usage Guide
Gemma Ward: The Supermodel Who Walked Away and Came Back
Roosters vs Rabbitohs – Round 2 Preview and Prediction
