Fetty Wap Shares His Fresh Perspective After Prison: ‘I Feel Renewed’

Fetty Wap in New York City on Jan. 16, 2026.
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Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Fetty Wap provided insights into life after serving nearly four years in prison.
• The artist, known for his platinum hits, was arrested in October 2021 on drug trafficking charges and released on January 8, 2026.
• “There’s a lot of people that haven’t had this opportunity that I have. I just want to enjoy it this time,” he remarked.

Fetty Wap is back home and feeling rejuvenated. In a recent interview with *Rolling Stone*, published on January 23, the artist discussed his newfound perspective on life just weeks after his release from prison.

“I could say that whatever I lost when I went in, it was meant to be lost, and when I came out, I left it there. You know what I’m saying? I just feel different,” said the 34-year-old rapper from New Jersey.

He continued, “I feel new. I feel rehabilitated, in a sense. I just have this clear mindset where it’s like nothing’s really that important.”

Fetty Wap in Newark in November 2021.

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The artist, whose real name is Willie Junior Maxwell II, was arrested at the Rolling Loud music festival in New York in October 2021 and charged with federal drug trafficking. He was initially sentenced to six years in prison but was released from a low-security facility in Sandstone, Minnesota, on January 8, 2026.

Now free, Fetty Wap describes his current feelings as simply “free.”

Reflecting on his first moments of freedom, he shared, “The first thing I did that was genuinely for myself after my release was take a shower with my shoes off.” He noted, “I know it probably sounds crazy, but you have shower shoes when you’re in prison. It’s like stuff like that … but things that you wouldn’t normally think are … you know what I’m saying?”

His renewed outlook also involves a decision to slow down and appreciate life, in stark contrast to the rapid rise to fame he experienced with his debut hit in 2015, which launched several other successful singles.

“I promised myself one thing this time: I’m just going to take my time through life now. Just really enjoy life,” Fetty Wap remarked.

This newfound patience translates to actually making memories and enjoying the opportunities he has. “There’s a lot of people that haven’t had this opportunity that I have. I just want to enjoy it this time,” he emphasized.

His interview highlighted his commitment to self-improvement during his time in prison, where he gained significant muscle. “I went to prison at like 140 pounds. I came home at like 225. It was a discipline for me to get there. I had it in my head like, ‘I want to see what I look like, like this,'” he revealed.

Fetty Wap attends his welcome home party in New York City on Jan. 16, 2026.

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As the father of six, Fetty Wap is eager to witness his children’s growth, expressing hopes for their future education and interests in music. Presently, he cherishes the simple moments, saying, “I just want to learn their new favorite colors, little things.” He also humorously mentioned, “Roblox is crazy. They have a whole group chat [about] Roblox. I just sit back and watch.”

Fetty Wap confirmed his plans to release new music soon, with a focus on positivity rather than personal struggles. “We’re going to have fun. It’s going to make you feel good. It’s going to make you want to get dressed and go outside. Or if you’re already outside, it’s going to make you want to stay outside. We’re going to vibe,” he stated.