Harlem rapper Max B was freed from prison on Sunday after spending 16 years behind bars for his involvement in a failed armed robbery that led to a man’s death.
The artist, whose real name is Charley Wingate, gained fame for his mixtapes and for coining the term “wavy” before his 2007 arrest on manslaughter and armed robbery charges.
Earlier this year, he revealed in a phone interview from prison that he would be released on November 9.
“I’m feeling righteous, man,” Max told the Joe Budden Podcast. “I’m doing all right. This is almost over. Wavy Baby coming home real soon.”
In 2009, Max B was handed a 75-year prison sentence after being accused of aiding a robbery in New Jersey that ended in murder, despite not being present in the state at the time.
His conviction was overturned in 2016 after a new legal team argued that his original lawyer had a conflict of interest. The sentence was later reduced to 20 years.
French Montana, who collaborated with Max B on their 2009 mixtape Coke Wave, was among those to celebrate his release on Sunday.
“Can’t make this up! My brother really came home on my bday!” Montana shared on social media.
Even while incarcerated, Max B continued to release music, often recording vocals over the phone, according to Rolling Stone.
He appeared on Kanye West’s 2016 album The Life of Pablo on the track “Siiiiiiiiilver Surffffeeeeer Intermission.”
Earlier this year, he was featured on Wiz Khalifa’s Kush + Orange Juice 2 with the song “Max B Interlude.”
Following his release, Max B hinted at more music to come in a social media post: “It’s time to open the flood gates. See yall in a few.”
NEWS
Ice Spice has released her new single “Pretty Privilege,” marking a noticeable shift from her signature New York drill-inspired sound. But the change in style isn’t the only thing that’s getting people talking. Fans are once again speculating about the rumored tension between her and Cardi B, a topic that first gained attention when a snippet of the track appeared online.
For those who missed it, Cardi B had previously gone on a rant that included jabs at Ice Spice and her manager. Not long after, Spice previewed “Pretty Privilege,” which featured the lyric, “She might talk s**t on the ’Gram, but she won’t talk it to my face.” That line quickly sparked debate among listeners, with many believing it was aimed at the AM I THE DRAMA? rapper.
This added fuel to speculation that a rivalry might be brewing. During the phone call in question, Cardi B criticized Ice Spice while speaking to her manager, James Rosemond Jr. She later apologized for her remarks about Latto and claimed that Rosemond Jr. was responsible for leaking their private conversation.
Now that the full version of “Pretty Privilege” has been released, Complex reports that other theories have emerged. Some fans believe the song might actually target Brooklyn rapper Stunna Sandy, whom Spice was said to call out in her earlier track “Baddie Baddie.” On that record, she rapped, “I know that she wants to be me / But she is not doing it well,” leading to renewed discussions about hidden disses.
While talk of a feud between Cardi B and Ice Spice isn’t new, both artists have publicly denied having issues in the past. Even so, online chatter continues to shape how fans perceive their relationship. Aside from that controversial phone call, there’s no real evidence to suggest they’re actually on bad terms.
Still, as speculation keeps circulating, the story might take new turns. Whether it’s genuine tension or just fan-driven drama, it’s clear that the Internet has played a big role in keeping the conversation alive. For now, Cardi and Ice Spice don’t seem particularly close, but time will tell if the rumors fade or resurface once again.
