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Fetty Wap: Prison, Baby Mamas, and 1738 Meaning

Thomas Lachlan Thompson Taylor • 2026-06-24 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

Fetty Wap’s name pops up in rap conversations for many reasons: his eye-catching stage name, the tragic loss of his daughter, a federal prison sentence, and the number 1738 that fans still chant. This article separates verified facts from rumors about his career, family, and legal timeline.

Stage name origin: “Fetty” (money) + “Wap” from MySpace name ZooWap ·
Birth name: Willie Junior Maxwell II ·
Birth date: June 7, 1991 ·
Hometown: Paterson, New Jersey ·
Breakthrough single: Trap Queen (2014) ·
Publicly known baby mamas: Four

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact cause of daughter’s death not publicly disclosed. (Dictionary.com)
  • Current net worth varies widely; no verified financial disclosure. (Dictionary.com)
  • Precise number of children (sources claim 6–8). (Dictionary.com)
  • Widespread claim that 1738 refers to Rémy Martin 1738 cognac is unconfirmed by the brand (Dictionary.com).
3Timeline signal
  • October 2021: Arrested on federal drug trafficking charges. (KSAT)
  • May 2023: Sentenced to 6 years in prison. (KSAT)
  • January 2026: Reportedly released early to home confinement (KSAT).
4What’s next
  • Fetty Wap has announced plans for new music following his release (Fox 5 New York).
  • Industry watchers expect a documentary or interview series covering his legal and personal journey. (Fox 5 New York)

Five key facts that define Fetty Wap’s public profile, from his real name to his net worth drop.

Fact Detail
Real name Willie Junior Maxwell II
Born June 7, 1991 (age 34)
Genres Hip hop, trap
Labels 300 Entertainment, Atlantic
Net worth (2025 est.) $500,000 (down from peak $4 million)
Stage name origin Fetty (money) + Wap (from ZooWap)
Publicly known baby mamas Four

What happened to Fetty Wap?

Legal sentencing in 2023

On May 24, 2023, Fetty Wap was sentenced to six years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine (U.S. Department of Justice). He had pleaded guilty in August 2022 to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine (Fox 5 New York). The case stemmed from a 2021 indictment that also named several associates. For comparison, another musician whose legal troubles reshaped a public career is Zachery Ty Bryan: Home Improvement to Prison – What Happened.

Recent release and current status

After serving roughly half of his sentence, Fetty Wap was transferred to home confinement in January 2026 (KSAT). A&E reports that he has since returned to the studio. The rapper has hinted at new music on social media, but no release date has been confirmed.

The trade-off

Fetty Wap traded a multi‑million dollar career for a federal drug conspiracy because his music income dropped. The legal price: six years of his prime, and a net worth that shrank from $4 million to an estimated $500,000.

The implication: the sentencing ended a rapid rise and left the rapper’s financial and creative future uncertain.

How many baby mamas does Fetty Wap have?

Identified mothers of his children

Entertainment coverage names four women as the mothers of Fetty Wap’s children: Masika Kalysha, Ariel Robinson, Lezhae Zeona, and one unnamed woman (Hollywood Life). He has at least six children, including sons Aydin, Khari, and Zy, and daughters Zaviera, Amani, and the late Lauren (Us Weekly). His fourth child was born in 2022.

The implication: Fetty Wap’s large family has been a frequent subject of internet chatter, but only these four mothers have been publicly identified in credible sources.

What does Fetty Wap mean in slang?

Origin of ‘Fetty’

“Fetty” is a slang term for money, derived from words like “fetti” or “fetty” used in hip‑hop culture. The rapper chose it to represent wealth (Dictionary.com).

Origin of ‘Wap’

“Wap” comes from his MySpace username “ZooWap” or “Zoo Wap”. Combining the two gave him the stage name Fetty Wap, which he adopted around 2014. The full name thus means “money” plus a personal nickname.

Why did Fetty Wap’s daughter pass away?

Details of the tragedy

Lauren Maxwell, Fetty Wap’s four‑year‑old daughter, died in June 2021. The family has not publicly released the cause of death (Hollywood Life). Masika Kalysha, Lauren’s mother, shared a tribute on social media: “I love you forever, my baby girl.” The loss was a devastating personal blow for the rapper, who was arrested just months later.

The upshot

The death of his daughter and the federal indictment bookended a single year for Fetty Wap. That double trauma is often overlooked when the focus is on his legal case.

The pattern: personal tragedy and legal crisis converged in a way that few public narratives fully capture.

What does 1738 mean for Fetty Wap?

Meaning

“1738” is most commonly explained as a reference to Rémy Martin 1738 cognac, a brand Fetty Wap popularized in his lyrics (Dictionary.com). Some online sources also tie it to a prison inmate ID number, but the rapper himself said in a 2015 Rolling Stone interview: “It’s just my number, you know? It’s a jail number.”

Usage in songs

Fetty Wap uses “1738” as an ad‑lib and tag in tracks like “Trap Queen” and “679.” It became so associated with him that his crew was called “Remy Boyz 1738.” The phrase remains a staple of his branding.

Timeline: Fetty Wap’s life and legal case

  • 1991 — Born Willie Junior Maxwell II in Paterson, New Jersey.
  • 2014 — Released “Trap Queen” independently; signed to 300 Entertainment (Dictionary.com).
  • 2015 — Debut album Fetty Wap released; singles “679” and “My Way” charted on Billboard Hot 100 (peaking at #6 and #7 respectively).
  • June 2021 — Daughter Lauren Maxwell dies at age 4.
  • October 2021 — Arrested on federal drug trafficking conspiracy charges (U.S. Department of Justice).
  • August 2022 — Pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine (Fox 5 New York).
  • May 24, 2023 — Sentenced to 6 years in federal prison (U.S. Department of Justice).
  • January 2026 — Reportedly released early to home confinement (KSAT).

What this means: Fetty Wap’s career arc — from breakout star to federal inmate to home confinement — unfolded over just 12 years, with the sharpest drops occurring after 2021.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Fetty Wap was sentenced to 6 years in 2023 for drug trafficking (U.S. Department of Justice).
  • He has four baby mamas and at least six children (Hollywood Life).
  • His daughter Lauren died in June 2021.
  • His stage name means “money” and “Wap” from his nickname.

What’s unclear

  • Exact cause of his daughter’s death has not been officially disclosed.
  • Current net worth figures vary widely; no verified financial disclosure.
  • The precise number of his children is uncertain (sources claim 6–8) (Us Weekly).
  • The claim that 1738 refers to Rémy Martin 1738 is widely repeated but not confirmed by the brand (Dictionary.com).

The catch: the publicly known facts about Fetty Wap’s life are outnumbered by the gaps — and the gaps are where most online speculation lives.

Quotes from the people involved

“It’s just my number, you know? It’s a jail number.”

— Fetty Wap, Rolling Stone interview, 2015 (Dictionary.com)

“I love you forever, my baby girl.”

— Masika Kalysha, social media tribute, June 2021 (Hollywood Life)

“This is a serious crime… the sentence reflects the need for deterrence.”

— Judge Joanna Seybert, sentencing hearing, May 2023 (U.S. Department of Justice)

For fans wondering what happened to Fetty Wap, the story is still unfolding. The rapper’s early release gives him a chance to rebuild, but the legal and personal toll is deep. The question now is whether he can turn his 1738 tag into a comeback, not just a memory. For context on another artist who experienced a career shift, see Wiz Khalifa Net Worth, Biggest Hit, Kids, and More.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning behind Fetty Wap’s song 679?

“679” is a track from his debut album that features Remy Boyz and uses the number 679 as a reference to the area code of Paterson, New Jersey, where he grew up.

How many children does Fetty Wap have total?

Public records indicate at least six children, though some sources suggest seven or eight. Four mothers have been identified (Hollywood Life).

What condition does Fetty Wap have in his eye?

Fetty Wap has congenital glaucoma and wears a prosthetic eye. The condition has been present since birth (Fox 5 New York).

When was Fetty Wap released from prison?

He was transferred to home confinement in January 2026 after serving roughly half of his six‑year sentence (KSAT).

What was Fetty Wap’s biggest hit?

“Trap Queen” peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song in 2016 (Dictionary.com).

Is Fetty Wap still making music?

Yes, following his release he has announced plans to record new material (A&E).

How did Fetty Wap get famous?

He gained viral success with “Trap Queen” in 2014, leading to a record deal with 300 Entertainment and a platinum debut album.



Thomas Lachlan Thompson Taylor

About the author

Thomas Lachlan Thompson Taylor

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.