American rapper Fetty Wap, real name Willie Maxwell II, was recently released from jail on a $500,000 secured bond after being arrested on October 28 at Rolling Loud Festival in New York City for a string of drug trafficking-related offences.
The 30-year-old from New Jersey has pleaded not guilty and was charged with five other defendants, including a New Jersey corrections officer, with conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine between June 2019 and June 2020.
The FBI believes the ‘Trap Queen’ artist is responsible for running a bicoastal opioid ring out of Long Island and took him away from the hip hop festival in handcuffs.
Fetty recently took to Instagram to speak out for the first time since his arrest whilst also promoting his latest project, The Butterfly Effect, which was released in October.
Writing in a caption, he said: “Loyalty can be both a great trait and a deadly one … choose wisely with who you stand with but never change what you stand for Never bend Never Fold … Head up like a nose bleed #ImOnBorrowedTime if it ain’t life it ain’t forever I’ll be back better wiser and smarter”.
The phrase “If it ain’t life it ain’t forever,” implies that Fetty is expecting at least some jail time over the incident. It comes at an unfortunate time for the rapper, who will have been hoping to ride a wave of success following the release of his album last month.
The world of hip hop is no stranger to drug-related convictions and violence; Fetty Wap himself regularly raps about that lifestyle and it begs the question: why would someone so successful risk it all in this way? In his biggest hit ‘Trap Queen’, he says: “Married to the money, introduced her to my stove, showed her how to whip it.”
Fetty becomes the latest rapper to become embroiled in legal trouble that could see him receive a life sentence if found guilty. During the investigation, the FBI recovered $1.5 million in cash, 16 kilograms of cocaine, 2 kilograms of heroin, fentanyl pills, pistols, handguns, and a rifle at the time of the arrest.
The rapper is no stranger to trouble with the law. In 2017 he was charged with a DUI after he was reportedly caught in a drag race on a New York City highway. Two years later, he was arrested in Las Vegas after allegedly assaulting three employees at a casino.
Fetty’s fans will be hoping that he can beat the case and get back to doing what he does best: making music. Unfortunately, the rapper doesn’t sound too hopeful judging from his Instagram post, so we will have to wait and see.
