How Fetty Wap Broke the One-Hit Wonder Jinx
Just a year ago, Fetty Wap was considered nothing else but a one-hit wonder. He was just a random guy from New Jersey who was fortunate enough to go viral. Now,
“Trap Queen” is the most searched-for song on Google in the United States, Fetty has
set a new record on Billboard’s Hop Rap Songs chart and has tied an 11-year-old achievement on the Hot 100 chart thanks to his first four singles, and he has received the key to Paterson and the “Artist to Watch” award at the 2015 MTV VMAs. But how did he defy the one-hot wonder jinx? Here are the main reasons to his success, according to us.
HE USES HIS FLAW AS AN ARMOR – When Fetty Wap emerged on the mainstream scene, everyone was wondering what happened to his eye. Many suggested he lost it in a shooting back in the day, but he refused to speak on the matter for quite some time, admitting that “this is how I draw my fans in, everybody wants to know what happened.”
The truth is he developed a glaucoma as a child and doctors were unable to save his left eye, thus fitted him with an ocular prothesis. What is more important though, he lives by the motto, “wear it like an armor and it can never be used to hurt you.” Just take a look at
the cover artwork for his upcoming debut album.
HE GOT COSIGNED BY KANYE WEST & DRAKE – Drake is widely-considered King Midas of the hip-hop industry. Examples of the power of his cosign include the whole OVO Sound roster, The Weeknd, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, Future, Chief Keef, Lil Reese, Lil Herb and Lil Bibby, Migos and many more. Nevertheless, Kanye West’s influence shouldn’t be underestimated, too, as he has shone light on numerous acts, helping them expand their reach.
Earlier this year, both of them cosigned Fetty Wap. In mid-February, Ye
brought the rookie out at the inaugural annual Roc City Classic show for “Trap Queen” and called the single his favourite song right now. For his part, Drizzy added a verse to “My Way,” but not before personally reaching out to Fetty and asking him for permission. Speaking of the remix, both reportedly shot a music video for it in Toronto which is yet to be released.
Last time both Drake and Kanye supported an up-and-comer at the same time was last year when they were bumping Young Thug’s breakthrough songs literally everywhere. In case you are not convinced of the ATLien’s success, just check out
these videos from his debut show in the UK last month. The footage speaks for itself.
HE PULLED OFF A FLAWLESS ROLLOUT – Say what you say, but this might be the most important reason Fetty successfully defied the one-hit wonder jinx. The crooning rapper signed a deal with 300 Entertainment on the low last year. Even though “Trap Queen” was recoded in March 2014 and the music video for it was released exactly 5 months later, Wap and the label took the right decision to put it on iTunes in mid-December. Then they did the same with “679,” “My Way” and “Again.” All tracks were available on the web long before they impacted iTunes, but fans still ate them up and Fetty Wap achieved the above-mentioned Billboard records.
Wap and 300 Entertainment are now gearing up for the release of his debut album, which will most probably be celebrated as another great decision. For an instance, take Young Thug’s situation, who is also signed to 300. For some reason, he is focusing on recording mixtapes instead of putting out his official debut album, which seems somehow pointless considering the state of the industry. Have you ever wondered why the TDE squad hasn’t dropped a single mixtape since 2010?
HE HOLDS IT DOWN FOR HIS PEOPLE – Fetty remained down-do-earth in spite of his rapid rise to fame. Everywhere he goes, he tags along with the team he came up with and the other two members of the Remy Boyz. As a matter of fact, every time journalists and radio hosts ask him about his career, he honestly explains he started rapping two years ago and attributes his success to Monty, a.k.a Montana Buckz, and P-Dice. Statements such as, “Monty [encouraged me to rap] and that’s why he got everything,” say it all. As well, the rapper keeps bringing out the Remy Boyz on each and every festival stage, solidifying his loyalty. Currently serving as a supporting artist during Chris Brown’s One Hell of A Nite Tour, Fetty is accompanied by Monty.
Last but definitely not least, Fetty still lives in New Jersey and is reportedly taking financial care of his family and friends. Despite his extreme schedule, he tries to spend as much time as possible with his little daughter and has turned down numerous gigs just so he can be by her side more often. Bottom line is when you never forget where you come from and hold it down for the people who were by your side before the limelight shone on you and you started taking daily trips to the bank, you will
never lose ground.
HE APPRECIATES HIS SUCCESS – One of Fetty’s most powerful weapons is his charisma. Even though he is neither the greatest lyricist, nor the greatest singer, there is something about his persona which makes you effortlessly grin every time he gets on stage or you hear his music on the radio.
We ascribe his charisma to his humbleness. Once a regular drug dealer who roamed the streets of New Jersey, Fetty is utterly appreciative of his newly-found success and doesn’t behave like most of the rookies who were fortunate enough to roll with the big guys in the industry early on. Even if you don’t like his music, it would be really hard for you to hate him after you watch
his reaction upon receiving his first award ever, for example.
