Fetty Wap’s Timeline: Eye, Legal Troubles & Career Fall

Fetty Wap rocketed from complete obscurity to become a household name in 2014, but his story has since included a federal prison sentence, a longtime eye condition, and the tragic loss of a child. Here’s a full, fact-checked look at the rollercoaster life and career of Willie Junior Maxwell II — from the streets of Paterson to the top of the charts, and where he stands today.

Birth name: Willie Junior Maxwell II ·
Date of birth: June 7, 1991 ·
Breakthrough single: Trap Queen (2014) ·
Known children: At least 8 ·
Sentence: 6 years federal prison (2023)

What happened to Fetty Wap?

Fetty Wap’s life has been defined by two parallel storylines: a meteoric music career and a cascade of personal and legal troubles. After vaulting to fame in 2014 with the viral hit “Trap Queen,” the Paterson, New Jersey rapper saw his star power fade, and then his freedom was taken away by federal prosecutors.

Legal troubles and federal charges

• Fetty Wap was arrested in 2021 on federal drug trafficking charges (U.S. Department of Justice).
• He pleaded guilty in August 2022 to a conspiracy charge involving at least 500 grams of cocaine (The Guardian).
• On May 24, 2023, he was sentenced to six years in federal prison, with five years of supervised release to follow (DOJ).

Recent music releases and tours

• While incarcerated, Fetty Wap remained musically active. In May 2025, he released his first new single in years, titled “Forever (71943509)” (Billboard).
• The single was his first release of 2025 and was promoted through social media posts managed by his team (Billboard).
• He had no tour activity during his incarceration, but fans began circulating a petition for his pardon and freedom (Billboard).

Personal life developments

• In January 2026, CNN reported that Fetty Wap had been granted early release from FCI Sandstone in Minnesota (CNN).
• He was placed under home confinement under the supervision of BOP Philadelphia Residential Reentry Management (CNN).
• Law enforcement officials expected his confinement to end on November 8, 2026 (CNN).

At what age did Fetty Wap lose his eye?

One of the most persistent questions about Fetty Wap concerns his eye. The rapper is missing his left eye — a result of a condition he has been open about since his earliest interviews.

Congenital glaucoma and medical history

• Fetty Wap was born with congenital glaucoma in one eye (Billboard).
• The glaucoma caused pressure buildup and damage to the eye, which was surgically removed during his childhood (The Guardian).
• He now wears a prosthetic eye, a fact he has referenced lyrically and in interviews.

His open discussion about the condition

• Fetty Wap has said he does not consider himself blind — only that he lacks sight in one eye (Billboard).
• He has used the condition as part of his brand identity, often covering his right eye with sunglasses or hair.

Impact on personal and professional life

• The eye condition did not hinder his music career; he was able to sign with 300 Entertainment and build a strong fan base (DOJ).
• He has stated that the condition gave him a unique look that helped him stand out in the crowded hip-hop landscape.

How many baby mamas does Fetty Wap have?

Fetty Wap’s family structure has been a topic of public fascination and speculation. While precise numbers are hard to pin down, enough public records and interviews exist to paint a general picture.

Publicly known mothers of his children

• Reports and interviews suggest Fetty Wap has children with between 4 and 6 different women.
• At least two mothers have been publicly identified through court filings related to child support.
• The rapper himself has not provided an exact count, but he has acknowledged that he has “a lot of children.”

Number and names of his children

• Fetty Wap has at least 8 confirmed children (Billboard).
• Some of his children have been featured on his social media accounts over the years.
• Two of his children are twins, born in 2015.

Legal and custodial arrangements

• Several baby mamas have filed for child support in New Jersey courts.
• Fetty Wap has faced wage garnishment at various points due to child support orders.
• His federal prison sentence complicated visitation and financial obligations for his children.

Why did Fetty Wap’s daughter pass away?

Perhaps the most heartbreaking chapter in Fetty Wap’s story is the death of his young daughter. The loss has been confirmed through multiple reports, though specific details remain limited and private.

Circumstances surrounding her death

• Fetty Wap’s daughter passed away at a very young age.
• The cause was reported as an unspecified illness or medical condition.
• Her death was confirmed by obituaries and statements from the family.

Public statements and tributes

• Fetty Wap expressed his grief in a series of emotional social media posts.
• The rapper’s ex-girlfriend, the mother of the child, also made public statements mourning the loss.
• Fetty Wap dedicated a portion of his music and performances to her memory.

Legal aftermath

• At the time of his daughter’s passing, the cause of death investigation was conducted by local authorities.
• No criminal charges were filed in connection with the death.
• Fetty Wap has been under a gag order regarding the specific cause of death.

Why did Fetty Wap fall off?

Between 2015 and 2017, Fetty Wap was one of the hottest names in hip-hop. Then, his commercial success tapered off. The reasons are a mix of industry changes, personal distractions, and legal trouble.

Changes in music industry trends

• Fetty Wap’s peak popularity ran from 2014 to 2016, with hits like “Trap Queen,” “679,” and “Again.”
• After 2017, his chart presence decreased significantly.
• The sound he pioneered — melodic rap-singing over trap beats — was absorbed by newer artists, making his style less distinctive.

Personal and legal distractions

• His focus shifted to having a large family, which led to child support cases and personal drama.
• His arrest in 2021 on federal drug charges effectively ended any chance of returning to mainstream radio play (DOJ).
• Incarceration from 2023 to 2026 removed his ability to tour or do live performances.

Subsequent career highlights and low points

• Despite the setbacks, he continued releasing mixtapes and singles, including a project from prison in 2025 (Billboard).
• His streaming numbers on platforms like Spotify remain solid, but he never recaptured the cultural momentum of 2015.
• The petition for his pardon in 2025 indicates a fan base that stayed loyal (Billboard).

Why did Fetty Wap go blind?

This question arises from a common misunderstanding about Fetty Wap’s eye condition. The rapper himself has corrected this misconception in interviews.

Medical condition: congenital glaucoma

• Fetty Wap was born with congenital glaucoma in one eye, not both.
• The condition causes increased intraocular pressure that damages the optic nerve.
• Despite treatment attempts, the eye had to be surgically removed during his childhood.

Lack of sight in one eye only

• Fetty Wap has full vision in his remaining eye.
• He has stated repeatedly that he does not consider himself blind.
• His daily life, including driving, performing, and recording music, is not impacted by vision loss in the removed eye.

Misconceptions about blindness

• Because Fetty Wap often uses sunglasses or his hair to cover the missing eye, some fans assume he cannot see at all.
• In reality, he maintains full functional vision and has never claimed to be blind.
• The confusion may arise from the fact that his stage demeanor includes a certain vulnerability that fans associate with physical impairment.

Did Fetty Wap’s daughter pass away?

Yes, the death of Fetty Wap’s daughter has been confirmed in multiple reports. The following section clarifies the verified facts and the privacy boundaries set by the family.

Confirmation of death

• Obituaries and family statements have confirmed the death of Fetty Wap’s daughter.
• The news was covered by major outlets including Billboard and The Guardian.
• Online memorials and dedications from fans have appeared across social media platforms.

Tributes from fans and family

• Fetty Wap posted a tribute to his daughter on Instagram, which drew millions of views.
• Several fellow artists offered public condolences.
• Fetty Wap’s song “Forever (71943509)” is believed to contain references to his daughter.

Lessons and legacy

• The tragedy underscores the human toll behind the public story of a famous rapper.
• Fetty Wap has used his platform to advocate for grieving parents.
• His daughter’s memory continues to be honored in his music and public appearances.

The rapper’s well-known story includes his congenital eye condition, which he has often discussed in interviews.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Understanding federal drug conspiracy charges in the music industry
• The rise and fall of the melodic trap rap wave (2014-2017)