Fetty Wap returns with 'Zavier' — AP interview

[0:01] It started to get smaller. The noise fade away. When it get real quiet, that's when they hit different. [0:18] Yeah, I had a whole lot to say. It's been a few years of holding things in there. [0:25] So, you know what I mean? Just to be able to just release my thoughts, you know what I'm saying? [0:31] Release my emotions, you know what I'm saying? Like, release my feelings, like just [0:35] everything, just lay it all out there in the music. It just feels good, you know [0:40] what I mean? Even for the tracks that didn't make the album, because I didn't want it to [0:44] be an emotional album. I didn't want it to be like, okay, we get it, you were away, you're [0:50] home now, where's the funfetti? You know what I'm saying? I didn't want it to be that [0:54] type of vibe, so it was like, I got everything out. I got everything out during the process [0:59] and we picked what we wanted to, you know what I mean? Which way we wanted to go for [1:04] the album. So, the whole Xavier thing is just like bringing back the same energy as the [1:10] Fetty Wap album. [1:11] Yeah. [1:11] You know, just more mature, just a more mature sound. Of course, my voice changed [1:15] since 2015, you know what I mean? So, Xavier's just an upgraded Fetty Wap, you know what I [1:24] mean? It's a more mature Fetty Wap. The studio's my safe haven, you know what I mean? But more [1:29] than anything, I just want the drive. That's like my therapy for myself, you know, just [1:34] riding the highway by myself, no music, you know what I mean? Just listen to the engine [1:39] and just think, like, you know, think, get my thoughts together. [1:42] And then I go to the studio. So, for like, you know, for all the time I was incarcerated, [1:48] it was like, ah, I can't wait to just drive, you know what I mean? Just get all of this [1:52] out, like. But, yeah, that's really like, other than like family, my kids and stuff [1:59] like that and food, because I love to eat. [2:01] I know there's good Dominican food in Patterson. [2:04] Yeah, definitely is. Que Le Que. I mean, honestly, I hear it all in my head [2:09] first. So, it's like, I kind of already know how it's going to sound. Like, I have the [2:14] idea already. Like, it's like, okay, this is what I'm going to sound like. This is how [2:17] I'm going to do it. Next comes the production. Like, I want the production to match the actual [2:24] song. So, it's like, it's already there. Like, I don't know how to explain it, like, you [2:28] know, in like this way. But, yeah, it's already, everything is up there already. [2:33] I want to know when you started Xavier. Like, when did this project, because, I mean, you've [2:38] been out for a couple months now, but this album's coming out super soon. So, I'm like, [2:42] were you just, did you sleep? Like, when were you asleep? [2:43] Yeah. [2:44] So, when did you start working on this? [2:45] As soon as I came, like, as soon as I got released. Yeah. Like, January 7th, 2026. [2:51] That's amazing. And when did you finish? You're like, we're still working. [2:56] January 10th, 2026. I think, as of yesterday, I was in the studio, as of yesterday, I like, [3:04] went 122, 122, 123. Finally, 123 songs. But it's definitely, I love a challenge. I love [3:11] the challenge. I love the, let's, let's, let's give, let's, let's give it to him. You know, [3:16] what I mean? Like, it's, I'm not, I'm not more so the type of person that's like, oh [3:21] man, what if they don't like this? It's like, yeah, I'm going to make sure you guys like [3:24] it. You know what I mean? It's like that type of vibe, man. [3:27] I feel like I did that with this album, with the Xavier album. Xavier is, has been in the [3:32] works since forever. You know, that's, that's my, that's my alter ego. You know what I mean? [3:39] It's just, it's a different side of me that people don't get to see. You know what I mean? [3:47] Like. [3:48] It's like, it's to the point where everybody, that's, that's my name. You know what I mean? [3:53] That's my name. Xavier is me. Like, I'm Xavier. You know? So, even like when I was incarcerated, [3:59] you know what I'm saying? Like, you know what I mean? Like, it's just who I am. It's just [4:05] a different side of me when I came home from prison. It's just like, I just want to leave [4:10] that behind me. Like, you know what I mean? So I came out like a fresh start, just a new [4:15] me. And that's where like the, the ultimately it comes from. [4:21] Yeah. It's more of like a, a, like a remember thing. Like, I like, like don't forget. You [4:27] know what I mean? Like I'm still me. Like, you know what I mean? Like I still make the, [4:31] the feel good music. I still make you want to, you know, you want to, all right, let's, [4:34] let's turn up in the car. Let's, let's take a road trip. Let's go to the club. Let's go [4:38] out with my friends. Let's do a picnic. Let's go to whatever you want to do. Like, it's [4:42] going to be that good sound, but I also incorporated a few tracks that, you know, give you a little [4:47] glimpse of what I've been through. You know what I mean? Like, I didn't want to totally [4:50] leave it out, but I didn't want to make, make it sound good. So, you know what I mean? You [4:51] know, I didn't want to make, make that the main focus either. So, uh, I just felt like [4:56] the album is a good combination of everything. Like it's a good combination of everything. [5:03] And I felt like I kind of nailed that. I did that track with Tink. Yeah. Oh, she's from [5:08] Chicago. Yeah. She's a dope artist. Like, as long as I did the song, I'm like, I need [5:13] a female pair. And then I'm like, oh yeah. All right. Tink. I'm like, I like Tink. She's [5:18] cool. Like, and like, I feel like, you know, I feel like we like sound. [5:24] Sound like good together on that track. Like we actually didn't get, uh, get, we actually [5:28] didn't get a chance to do it together. Like as far as like the record, but when, when [5:33] she heard it, I mean, from what it sounds like, I, she likes it. You know what I mean? [5:37] So I'm happy with it. Like, but, uh, yeah, my, uh, my boy, uh, Heatmaker, he's just, [5:45] he's a good producer, like great producer. You know what I mean? And we was in the studio [5:49] together and he playing the beat. I'm like, yeah, I like this right here. Like, this is [5:52] going to be fire. You know what I mean? And we just, you know what I mean? And we just, [5:54] and it just happens like that. Like, you know, so that's, that's, that's going to be a record, [5:59] you know, that's going to be a record for the ladies. I remember is the name of the [6:03] song. When that song came about, like, I was just thinking and thinking and thinking like, [6:07] like, I remember when I did this and then I remember this and I always remember this [6:11] and I remember that. And then it just be, it became a song. Like I was just singing [6:16] out my thoughts, you know what I mean? And it's just, it's like an ode to the past and [6:21] the present, you know, to people I thought that loved me the way I loved them. [6:26] And they didn't show that type of love to the person that gave me my first start, you [6:32] know what I mean? For some of the things I did for that person. And now we probably will [6:37] never speak again. Like, you know what I'm saying? Just from certain situations. But [6:41] when G Herbo heard the record and I, when I got his verse back, I'm like, I guess he [6:48] was feeling the same way. You know what I mean? Like, but that, that's definitely the [6:53] most, that's actually the record I was talking about when I say like, you know, I gave them [6:57] a glimpse of like, you know, like, you know, like, you know, like, you know, like, you [6:57] know, what was going on with me, like, from all the way from the past to the present, [7:03] like before Fetty Wap and then pre-Pretty, then being Fetty Wap and then after Fetty [7:10] Wap, you know what I mean? Then prison, then coming home, you know what I mean? I put everything [7:15] in that song. So that'd be the record that's like basically focused on like, you know, [7:20] if they want to hear what I was going through, that'd be that record right there. I actually [7:24] met him at a breakfast club. I think I was doing like a breakfast club interview. [7:29] And him and French was there. Like, we seen each other. And I'm like, yo, bro, like, we [7:33] got to, you know what I mean? It was, it's, this is a legendary moment where I need you [7:37] on the track. You know what I'm saying? Like, growing up in Patterson, you know, Max B was [7:41] a big deal. So I was like, you know what I mean? So when I did the record, it's crazy [7:47] because when I actually was about to record the song, I'm like, I don't know which way [7:50] I want to go with this. Like, how do I sound like Fetty Wap and have Max B on it? So you [7:57] know what I'm like, oh, just scratch the whole song. Let's just do a new song. I got the [8:01] beat. [8:02] And I'm like, I'm about to sound like Max B. I'm about to sound like Max B and then [8:09] I'm going to make Max B sound like the old Max B. You know what I'm saying? So it was [8:13] like one of those moments. And when I sent it to him, like, he sent me back the emojis [8:16] fire. I'm like, I didn't know if he was going to like that. Like, he probably sent a text [8:21] like, yo, bro, what's up? You trying to steal my shine? Like, nah, we good, bro. So when [8:26] he sent the record back, I'm like, yeah, this is it right here. This is it right here. They [8:30] going to love this. They going to love it. Oh, yeah, I got a record with Wiz, too. [8:32] Yeah, like a Taylor. That was something. That's like something. You know, I've been [8:40] listening to Wiz since he dropped Prince of the City 1. You know what I mean? Like, Prince [8:46] of the City 2 is my favorite, but, you know, everybody knows that. Like, the whole theme [8:53] of the song was like that, you know, cargo shorts, Chuck Taylors, you know what I mean, [9:00] Taylor Gang, Paper Planes and stuff like that. And it was like, I don't think people really [9:07] show Wiz enough love. [9:08] You know, like, as far as other artists, like, you know, he had a big impact. Like, he had [9:13] a big impact on a lot of people's lives, like, especially around, like, the 2010s era. Like, [9:18] you know what I'm saying? Like, and the cut and, well, the whole Cushion Orange Juice, [9:24] the original Cushion Orange Juice, you know, and he had, like, the Chrono Beat on the I've [9:29] Never Been. Like, it's just, that's my guy. You know, I'm a super fan of him. Like, and [9:35] it's kind of hard to be, like, like, like an artist and a fan. Like, you know, it's [9:40] because I don't, like, I don't really want to, like, fan out. Like, you know what I mean? [9:43] I don't want them to think I'm weird. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, yo, bro, can [9:47] you, uh, drop this version of the song? Thank you, please. Thank you, sir. Like, you know [9:50] what I mean? So, it's like, you know, I'm going to show him love, man. So, when I did [9:54] the song, Like a Taylor, it was like, if he can get on it, that's cool. If not, as long [9:59] as he hear the song, he'll know. Like, you know what I mean? Like, bro, you still loved [10:02] out here. Like, you know what I mean? Like, people really, people really rock with you. [10:06] So, that was that whole thing with him. But other than that, like, picking my collaborators, [10:11] like, I just feel like I pick whoever, like, fits the song. You know what I mean? Like, [10:16] or I ask, you know, I ask people, like, yo, who do you think sound good on this? Like, [10:19] who do you think would sound good on this? You know, try this person, try this person. [10:22] I'm like, all right, well, I'll reach out, you know what I mean? I ask them, but that's [10:25] usually how it happens. This album felt different because the last few albums was, well, King [10:32] Zoo, I was, you know, I was incarcerated for that. So, I kind of, like, really didn't have [10:38] too much input on that album. You know what I mean? Like, I kind of just, like, you know, [10:42] if it sounds good, I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going [10:42] to do it. If it sounds good, it sounds good, I'm going to put it out. You know, but the [10:45] Butterfly Effect, which is my favorite album that I ever did, that was more so, like, the [10:52] album of, like, me telling people, like, yo, this is what's been happening with me. That's [10:56] why I wasn't making music. You know, that album was my life story. Like, you know what [11:00] I mean? So, each album had its own feeling. Like, with this, it was, like, I don't have [11:08] that weight on my shoulder. Like, you know, I don't have that weight on my shoulder. I [11:11] don't feel the way I was feeling at those moments. So, it's, like, it's, like, it's [11:14] like, you know, I'm back. I'm free. Like, I'm ready to, I'm ready to have fun. I'm ready [11:18] to put out good music. Like, the whole, the whole process of making this album was great [11:23] energy. Like, you know what I mean? And that's what was needed for this type of project was [11:27] to have that good energy in the studio, have the good energy around me, stay away from [11:32] negativity, stay from anything, stay away from anything bringing me down. Like, and [11:36] just to keep my spirits high while I'm recording. I don't want to think about too much other [11:40] things while I'm in there. You know, it might throw me off track. So, the whole process [11:44] was just, like, all right, good energy, good energy. [11:48] White Rose is actually, like, my favorite track on the album. So, that's gonna be, it's [11:54] gonna be lit. You know, that's what, that's, that song right there, like, when I first [11:59] made it, I'm like, I think we were all in the studio. And I'm like, yo, just put the [12:03] mic on. Like, you know, I put the production, like, everything in the studio. Like, everything [12:10] was in the studio. Everything, well, I recorded everything exactly how I wanted it to sound. [12:16] My boy, Sharq. [12:17] My Bugs, Peoples, and Snoozy, they all came together and just made my vision come to life. [12:22] You know, and then after it was done, I'm like, man, there's something missing. I called [12:27] my sisters. I'm like, yo, come to the studio. They was like, what's up? I need you to go [12:31] in there. Like, so they both in there, they singing. And I also got my brother on the [12:38] album, too. I just, I'm not gonna say the name of the track. I just want, when they [12:42] hear it, they gotta know, like, wait, who is this guy? Like, this not Fetty. Like, yeah, [12:46] but, oh, my brother, Rob McCoy. [12:47] Rob McCoy. He's, um, he's one of the reasons why I started doing music anyway. Yeah, he's [12:53] been, he's an amazing artist. You know what I'm saying? So, and, like, that's, I really [12:59] just wanted to make sure my family felt this, felt this, too. Like, you know, you're gonna [13:04] see, y'all gonna see the feeling, how it feels. Like, when y'all hear our voices all over [13:08] the radio and stuff like that, like, it's gonna be a great thing for them. [13:12] Good energy. Positivity. You know, I'm not, like I said before, like, I'm not looking [13:19] for any, you know, I'm not looking for any, you know, I'm not looking for any, you know, [13:20] I'm not looking for any, you know, I'm not looking for any, you know, I'm not looking [13:20] for any, you know, I'm not looking for any, you know, I'm not looking for any type of, [13:21] like, sympathy. I'm not looking for any type of, like, anything. Just, just love the music. [13:27] You know? And if you don't, let me know so I can make better music. You know what I mean? [13:32] That'll keep you motivated? Yeah. But, honestly, like, if I could just [13:37] see somebody driving past and they smiling and they looking like, you know, they had [13:41] a bad day at work and they get in the car and the song turn them up or, even if they [13:46] on their way to work and they like, I don't feel like going to work, I'ma turn on this [13:49] song. You know what I mean? If I could just do that, if I could just bring a little bit [13:52] of light in somebody's life with this album, my job is complete. I'm just happy. Like, [13:57] I don't really, like, you know, like, my sister would tell me all the time, like, bro, you [14:01] never just, you always got, like, the same face, like, you know what I mean? I just don't [14:05] really, you know what I mean? Like, I feel like, you know, when you been doing something [14:09] for so long, like, it just becomes natural to you. But this time, it's just, I appreciate [14:14] it more, you know? I just appreciate everything more. Like, I appreciate my studio more. I [14:18] appreciate the fans that was, like, you know, that was waiting for me more. Like, I appreciate [14:22] the ways everybody expecting the album. Like, I just appreciate, like, everything that's [14:30] been happening for me. Like, so, I'm just, like, I'm just happy. I don't know, like, [14:36] another way to put it, like, you know what I mean?