Harlem rapper Max B has been released from prison after serving 16 years for his role in a 2006 robbery that led to the death of a man in New Jersey.
Born Charley Wingate, Max B rose to prominence in the mid-2000s with a series of mixtapes and for popularising the slang term “wavy.” He was convicted in 2009 of manslaughter and armed robbery, and sentenced to 75 years in prison, though he was not present at the scene of the crime.
The conviction was later vacated in 2016 after his legal team argued that his original lawyer had a conflict of interest. His sentence was subsequently reduced to 20 years.
Max B had revealed earlier this year that his release date would be November 9, telling the Joe Budden Podcast,
“I’m feeling righteous, man. This is almost over. Wavy Baby coming home real soon.”
Following his release, fellow rapper French Montana — his longtime collaborator on the Coke Wave mixtape — celebrated the news, writing on social media,
“Can’t make this up! My brother really came home on my bday!”
Despite being incarcerated, Max B continued to make music, featuring on Kanye West’s “Siiiiiiiiilver Surffffeeeeer Intermission” from The Life of Pablo (2016) and Wiz Khalifa’s “Max B Interlude” earlier this year.
In his first post-release message, the rapper teased a musical comeback:
“It’s time to open the flood gates. See y’all in a few.”