Fetty Wap
A rapper from New Jersey who burst onto the scene with a uniquely melodic, heartfelt shout-out to his partner in crime, 'Trap Queen.'
Born 1991 (age 35)·American rapper·Birthday: June 7·Millennials
Biography
Fetty Wap's arrival in 2014 felt like a sudden, joyful explosion. Born Willie Maxwell in Paterson, New Jersey, he turned to music after an injury ended his hopes of a basketball career. Recording on a basic laptop in his sister's house, he crafted 'Trap Queen,' a love song set against a backdrop of street life that became an inescapable anthem. His sound was immediately distinctive—a blend of raw, emotive singing and rapping delivered with a wide, gold-toothed smile that became his trademark. The song's viral success on SoundCloud led to a major label deal and a rapid-fire string of hits like '679' and 'My Way,' all showcasing his melodic, hook-driven style. His self-titled debut album shot to number one, proving the demand for his brand of vulnerable, streetwise romance. While subsequent years saw legal and personal challenges, his initial run cemented him as a defining voice of mid-2010s hip-hop, a artist who captured a moment with undeniable charisma and catchy, heartfelt tunes.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Fetty was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Fetty Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Fetty's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- His breakout single 'Trap Queen' peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Diamond by the RIAA.
- His self-titled debut studio album entered the Billboard 200 at number one in 2015.
- Achieved the rare feat of having three simultaneous singles ('Trap Queen,' '679,' 'My Way') in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100.
- Won the BET Award for Best New Artist in 2015.
Did You Know?
His stage name combines 'Fetty' (slang for money) with 'Wap' (a nickname from his childhood).
He is legally blind in his left eye due to congenital glaucoma, which gives his right eye its distinctive, intense appearance.
He has a large collection of colorful, custom-made eye patches.
Before music, he worked at a Lowe's home improvement store.
“I just make music that I feel. If I'm happy, I make happy music. If I'm sad, I make sad music.”
