Fetty Wap revealed that several songs on his latest album were created while he was incarcerated — despite having no way to write them down or record them.

The 34-year-old rapper, whose real name is Willie Junior Maxwell II, said he came up with seven tracks for his new album Zavier during his time in prison. Because he didn’t have access to recording equipment or his usual songwriting tools, he relied entirely on memory to preserve the ideas.

According to Fetty, he typically doesn’t write his lyrics on paper anyway, so creating music behind bars meant repeating the songs in his mind over and over until they stuck. He explained that he had to keep mentally rehearsing the melodies and words constantly so he wouldn’t forget them before he could record them after his release.

The rapper was sentenced to six years in prison in 2023 on drug trafficking charges but was released early in January 2026. Soon after returning home, he quickly got back into the studio and finalized Zavier, which arrived just a few months after he regained his freedom.

Seven of the album’s 17 tracks were originally conceived during his incarceration, including songs like “Right Back to You,” “White Roses,” “I Remember,” and “Fool for You.” The project reflects what Fetty describes as a more mature outlook on life and music following his time behind bars.

Despite the unusual creative process, Fetty says he’s proud of the finished record and hopes listeners hear the growth and emotion in the music. The album marks his full return to recording after spending more than three years away from the studio.