The Paterson, New Jersey rapper passes on a very practical tip.
2014 was a big year. A year that birthed the ice bucket challenge. A year where the legalization of same-sex marriage continued to be rolled out across 18 more states. Kanye and Kim got hitched while Chris Martin and Gwyneth consciously uncoupled. It was also the year in which Pharrell’s hat choice made national news. As for music, 2014 saw countless big hitters: FKA twigs blessed us with her debut full length, U2 gave away an LP for free, Taylor Swift went full pop with 1989, ILOVEMAKONNEN released “Tuesday” and put a spotlight on his mannequin head sidekick. Fetty Wap? He dominated the airwaves, blogs, and clubs with “Trap Queen”—ostensibly his first proper single. It was absolutely one of the breakout hits of the year. To date it’s been streamed over 735 million times on Spotify.
In the wake of its release Fetty—that’s Willie Junior Maxwell II to his folks—put out his eponymous debut album, continuing to drop songs and tour in the intervening years, essentially taking an IRL masterclass in what it’s like to blow up big after just one track and then navigate the world after that seismic shift. As for what he’s up to in 2020: Ahead of his second album, he’ll be dropping two EPs (one of them is coming out this Friday, February 14th) plus you’ll be able to catch him on tour in April.
Recently we met up with Fetty in NYC to talk Best Advice. Whereas previous episodes have centered around topics including creativity, performance, writer’s block, patience, tenacity, and more, Fetty’s nugget comes from his accountant, and that advice was especially practical and actionable. And just like all the other eps of Best Advice, it’s a word from the wise that all of us—whether you’re an artist or a member of an artist’s team—would do well to heed.
Keep your ears peeled for Fetty’s new LP out later this year and watch his episode of Best Advice, above.
Check out all our previous installments with Lizzo, Elton John, Tierra Whack, Quincy Jones, Ciara, Rick Ross, Karen O, and many more right here.
-Spotify for Artists