Family, Love, and Prosperity (sit down talk with Fetty Wap)

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Family, Love, and Prosperity" – Sit Down Talk with Fetty Wap

Podcast: The Latest with Loren LoRosa
Hosts/Moderators: Loren LoRosa (LL), DJ Envy (DE)
Guest: Fetty Wap (FW)
Aired: February 19, 2026
Network: The Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts

---

Overview:

This engaging episode of "The Latest with Loren LoRosa" centers around a heartfelt, in-depth conversation with chart-topping artist Fetty Wap. Fresh out of a period of incarceration, Fetty Wap joins Loren and guest moderator DJ Envy at the American Dream Mall during DJ Envy’s Black Family Reunion event. Together, they discuss the themes of resilience, the importance of staying rooted in community, giving back, overcoming adversity, and music’s lasting impact across generations.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Fetty Wap’s Return Home and Community Impact

• Celebrating Community and Black History Month

  • Fetty Wap attends the event to reconnect with his roots and community.

    “He had things to do. And when I told him this was a Black History Month family reunion, he said, Envy, I can’t miss it.” – DJ Envy (01:45)

  • The energy and outpouring of love from fans and the city is palpable:

    “It feels good, man. I love you too, mama. It feels good.” – FW (02:03)

• Staying True to Patterson, NJ

  • Fetty Wap’s pride and love for his hometown is a recurring theme.

    “If it wasn’t for Patterson, I wouldn’t have this. I wouldn’t have that grit...like, coming from these type of areas, you got to have a certain type of backbone.” – FW (06:10)

  • He emphasizes the significance of giving back, especially to families in need, recalling his own upbringing and hardships.

    “Anything I could do to help a mother that’s breaking her back for her kids, a father that don’t have the mom around…if I can do it for a few people, I'm okay with that.” – FW (06:10)

Personal Journey, Resilience, and Disability

• Living Openly with Disability

  • Fetty Wap discusses his congenital glaucoma and how he chooses to embrace his true self.

    “I just wanted people to see me as I was. I mean, I didn’t want to fake it for nobody. Like, this is how I look. This is how I am. If you're rocking with it, you're rocking with it. If not, you're not.” – FW (03:29)

  • He talks about inspiring kids with disabilities, sharing a particularly touching story of visiting a young fan:

    “I drove out there, like, to go see him, and I pulled up to a school, and I was like, yeah, this is my little cousin...ever since then, like, he's the coolest kid in school now.” – FW (03:53)

• Promoting Self-Confidence and Acceptance

  • Fetty Wap and his friends encourage self-acceptance and humor around differences, making others feel comfortable in their own skin:

    “We just tried to make sure people felt comfortable in their own skin...it's okay to be different. It's not a bad thing to be different.” – FW (04:55)

The Music, Career, and Cultural Influence

• The Evolution of a Hitmaker

  • Fetty explains his journey from rapping with friends to discovering his unique singing style—a turning point in his career:

    “I started rapping with Monty...I want to try to sing, like. And once I started doing the singing thing, it was just over after that.” – FW (02:25)

• Longevity Across Generations

  • Fetty reflects on his revived popularity among young audiences thanks to TikTok and memes:

    “From being incarcerated, feeling like you've forgotten to come home and see all this love…it's just like, wow…11 years ago when I dropped that song...just to keep seeing it come back and come back.” – FW (07:59)

  • Loren shares a personal anecdote about her nephew recognizing Fetty's music via TikTok, underscoring his cross-generational reach (07:28).

• Dreams and Surreal Success

  • Fetty candidly admits he never anticipated multi-platinum (and diamond) success:

    “I just remember, I'm like, yo, I just want a Ferrari, bro...And it's just. I don't know now it's just like, wow.” – FW (09:34)

• Jersey Pride

  • His sense of pride for NJ is clear:

    “Jersey mean life, man. This is my whole life. I represent Jersey everywhere. I got a tattoo on my stomach—a big New Jersey.” – FW (10:07)

Memorable Moments & Audience Interaction

• Live Performance
  • Fetty Wap delivers a surprise live performance, energizing the crowd and creating an unforgettable moment:

    “You know the words? All right. He said he know the words. You want to do it? Let's do it.” – FW (12:31 – 12:39)

  • DJ Envy hypes the crowd to join in and sets the stage for the showstopping performance.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Overcoming Disability:

  “I just wanted people to see me as I was...If you're rocking with it, you're rocking with it. If not, you're not.”
  — Fetty Wap (03:29)

• On Self-Acceptance:

  “It's okay to be different. It's not a bad thing to be different. That's the message I try to push to the kids.”
  — Fetty Wap (04:55)

• On Giving Back:

  “Anything I could do to help a mother that's breaking her back for her kids...I just try to make sure I could do something. If I can't do it for the whole city, if I could do it just for a few people, I'm okay with that.”
  — Fetty Wap (06:10)

• Reflecting on Lasting Impact:

  “Do these artists have impact to the point where their songs will last? The feeling will last. The influence will last. Fetty Wap got it.”
  — Lauren LaRosa (13:44)

---

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Fetty Wap on his musical beginnings and resilience – 02:25 to 04:55
• Empowering kids living with disabilities – 03:53 to 04:55
• Giving back to Patterson and NJ pride – 06:10 to 10:24
• The resurgence of Fetty Wap’s hits through social media – 07:28 to 09:14
• Surprise audience Q&A and live performance – 11:42 to 13:03
• Reflections on the power of music and legacy – 13:44 to end

---

Tone and Flow

The episode blends warmth, humor, and sincerity. Fetty Wap’s openness about his vulnerabilities, pride in his roots, and gratitude for his renewed place in the culture resonate deeply. The crowd’s enthusiastic response and Loren’s commentary reinforce Fetty’s authentic impact, while DJ Envy keeps the energy high and relatable.

---

Takeaway:
This episode is a testament to resilience, authenticity, and the transformative power of music and community. Fetty Wap’s continued influence, both musically and personally, is affirmed through stories, live performance, and the undiminished energy of support from fans old and new.

Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Mercurley Subaru Representative]

Guaranteed Human at Mercurley Subaru. We want to make driving a car from us easy today, tomorrow, and every day after. That's why every vehicle from McCurley Subaru comes with the McCurley Advantage, including paint protection, windshield protection, and loyalty rewards. And during the Subaru a lot to love event, you can get all the McCurley advantage has to offer and drive a new Subaru for just 209amonth. McCurley Subaru, your way home on approved credit. 36 $2,500 usiding plus tax, title, license, insurance.com spin number two zero security deposit with 10,000 miles per year.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I'm the home girl that knows a little bit about everything.

[Fetty Wap]

And everybody know if she don't lie about that, right? Lauren came in hot.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Hey, y'. All, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is the latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. All right, y'.

[Fetty Wap]

All.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So today I have another conversation. I promised you guys that I'd be bringing you more of these interviews, and. And here it is. We sat down. I say we, me and DJ Envy of the Breakfast Club sat down with Fetty Wap. Now, Fetty Wap, I don't know who wouldn't know, but for anybody under a rock, Fetty Wap, huge global artist, recently came home from a prison stint where he is now just embracing life and enjoying the fact that not only is he still musically relevant, but he has love surrounded by him with family and community, and he's focused on. So he popped out to American Dream Mall for DJ Envy's Black family Reunion. And we talked just about that, about family, community, where his focus is right now. And he even gave us a little surprise performance as well. So let's get on into the conversation.

[DJ Envy]

So first and foremost, we want to thank Shady for coming. He had things to do. And when I told him this was a Black History Month feeling reunion, he said, envy, I can't miss it. And made sure he was here.

[Fetty Wap]

Yeah, yeah.

[DJ Envy]

To have this conversation. So the first and foremost, how does it feel being in Jersey and seeing all the love? Look at the three floors, bro.

[Fetty Wap]

Crazy. It's crazy. It feels good, man. It feels good, man. I love you too, mama. It feels good.

[DJ Envy]

Now, for people that don't know, how did you start rapping? Now, Fetty's from where, y'?

[Fetty Wap]

All?

[DJ Envy]

Patterson, New Jersey.

[Fetty Wap]

Patterson in the dirty old jam.

[DJ Envy]

Something how did you start off rapping?

[Fetty Wap]

I started rapping with Monty. Monty and P. Dice. They was. They was like the rappers at first. So I just like being around them, Being around them. Just trying out. Just trying things out. And then M was like, oh, that sound good. Keep going. And then it was like. It switched from, like, rapping. So I'm like, I want to try to sing, like. And once I started doing the singing thing, it was just. It was over after that.

[DJ Envy]

Now, most people know, of course, they always say you have a disability.

[Fetty Wap]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

And you always are keen on talking to kids with disabilities to tell them that they can do it.

[Fetty Wap]

Yeah, for sure, man. I was born with congenital glaucoma.

[DJ Envy]

So for people that don't know what that is, what is that?

[Fetty Wap]

It's basically like a. It's like a disease where you lose both your eyes. Like, you lose it. Not both your eyes. I'm sorry. You lose the vision of both your eyes. So I was blessed that the doctor was able to save one. So that's. That's how. That's how I've been like this since I was. I lost my eye at six months.

[DJ Envy]

Six months. Now, one time you had a prosthetic, it was. It was fake, but you decided you didn't have to fake it. You didn't need that anymore. Why was that? When did you get the courage to be like, nah, I don't care what people think.

[Fetty Wap]

I just wanted to. I just wanted people to see me as I was. I mean, I didn't want to look. I didn't want to fake it for nobody. Like, this is how I look. This is how I am. If you're rocking with it, you're rocking with him. Not. You're not. You know what I'm saying?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Y' all can clap for that. Clap it up. When you're talking to a kid, right, that you're talking to and you're telling them this message, clap coming from you, coming from Fetty Wap, like, how impactful is it? Like, what are you seeing? Kids? What's changing as you're talking to them that you're seeing in them?

[Fetty Wap]

I mean, this is one kid that, like, in 20, 2016, his mom DM me and, like, oh, my son, he's a big fan. He gets bullied a lot. He has one eye and everything like that. So I drove out there, like, to go see him, and I pulled up to a school, and I was like, yeah, this is my little cousin. Like, you know what I'm saying? And ever since then, like, he's the coolest kid in school now, you know what I'm saying? So, like, oh, can you call Fetty Wa? Can you call Fetty Wa? So it's like, I try to just like, show people, like, you know what I mean? It doesn't matter how you look or what's going on. One of my close friends, he was in a motorcycle accident. He got his leg amputated. So like, we used to do this thing on Instagram where it's like the eye and the leg thing, like, you know what I'm saying? And it was just like, just little things. Like, he would do stuff on my left side. I couldn't see him. And I'll take his leg and run like, you know what it is like. But like, we just tried to make sure people, like, felt comfortable in their own skin, you know what I'm saying? It's okay to be different. Like, it's not a bad thing to be different. Like, you know what I mean? That's the message I try to push to the kids.

[4imprint Representative]

Let's be honest, finding the right promotional products can feel overwhelming. But with 4imprint, it's easy. 4imprint makes it stress free, straightforward, and backed by real peace of mind. That's four Imprint Certainty. Not sure what promo products to order. You can get free samples, expert advice, even free help with your logo. So everything turns out even better than you expected. Need options? They've got thousands, including branded apparel, drinkware, outdoor and all the trade show essentials. And when your order arrives, it's packed with care and backed by their 360 degree guarantee, which means it shows up looking great and right on time. In a rush. 4imprint has quick turnaround options too, so you can hit your deadline without breaking a sweat. Whether you're prepping for a summer event or just refreshing Your promo lineup, 4imprint helps you get it done confidently and with simplicity and ease. Head to 4imprint.com to find out more

[Lauren LaRosa]

for Imprint For Certain.

[DJ Envy]

Now, one thing about Fetty that a lot of you might not know. If you're in Patterson, I'm sure you know, you do a lot of giving back. Why is that important for you to do for that community and why? You know, I spoke to you at a reckless level. You said I would never leave Patterson. Why is that? Why do you feel that way?

[Fetty Wap]

I mean, if it wasn't for Patterson, I wouldn't have this. I wouldn't have that grit. Like, I wouldn't. I wouldn't be who I am. I wouldn't be able to stand up the way I stand up, you know, like coming from these type of areas, like Patterson, Newark, Orange, Irvington, Jersey City, like Trenton, like all, all the, all the areas where they dub us like the bad cities, you know what I'm saying? You got to have a certain type of backbone to be able to grow up. And, and especially me. My name's Willie. Like, you know what I mean? One Eye Willie. It's kind of crazy, but you know what I'm saying? Like, so growing up like that, you know, it kind of, it gives you, it gives you a triple, like a sense of like, you know, I could do whatever I want to do, you know what I'm saying? If it wasn't comparison, I would be, I would be fetty wild, you know what I mean? So when it comes to giving back to my city, like I know what it feels like to, to, to go to school and not have anything, you know what I'm saying? Or my mom working over overtime and, and, and, and just being able to feed us, to pay rent and my dad's like, you know what I'm saying? So I know that feeling. And anything I could do to help a mother, that, that's, that's, that's breaking her back for her kids, a father, that's, that don't have the mom around or whatever the case may be, like, I just try to make sure, like I could do something. Like if I can't do it for the whole city, if I could do it just for a few people, I'm okay with that, you know what I'm saying? So it's always important for me to get back to my city.

[Lauren LaRosa]

What has it been like for you, right, Being back here in the city, at home, but honestly, everywhere. I have a nine year old nephew, he's actually eight. And he called me the other day because he saw that you were on a Breakfast Club and he was asking me why didn't I call him? And I'm like, how, how do you even know who Fetty Wap is? And he said because of TikTok. And everybody's walking around saying, hey, what's up? Hello. At his school. What is that like for you? It's like you get a resurgence so many times. Like, how does it feel right now for you coming like you were walking home today?

[Fetty Wap]

Honestly, I don't even know how to explain the feeling, like from being incarcerated, feeling like you've forgotten to come home and see all this love, you know, I mean, it's just like, wow, like, you know what I'm saying 10 years. It's was 20, 26 now. So it's 11 years. Like, you know, I mean, 11 years ago when I dropped that song, the whole Fetty Wap album. So to keep seeing it, like, come back and come back, like, I. I remember, like, one time it was like, do you guys remember when fetty Wap says 1738, like, you know, I mean, like, it was a whole meme going around. So it's like just to. Just to keep seeing it happening. And then, like, even my niece, my nephews, like, you know what I'm saying? They uncle be like this song. I'm like, he's only like 2 years old. Like, you know, I mean, like, it. It feels good. And then. And therefore, to be from the hometown, because it's a stigma that everybody says, like, oh, don't go back to your hometown, because they're the ones that's going through something. I don't believe that. Like, I don't. I don't believe that. Like, whatever type of. Whatever type of energy you put out to the people in your city, that's the type of energy you're gonna receive. And I don't feel like I gave out energy where I'm not allowed or I can't come back home. So it's like just to be here and just like, wow. All right. Ten years later, we still. I want you to be mine again, baby. You know what I'm saying? Like, you know what I'm saying? It feels good, man.

[DJ Envy]

I do have to ask. When you started rapping, did you ever expect this? Did you see this?

[Fetty Wap]

Was.

[DJ Envy]

Was this on your bingo card? Like, I'm gonna be a multi platinum artist.

[Fetty Wap]

Was.

[DJ Envy]

Did you see that at all?

[Fetty Wap]

Diamond.

[DJ Envy]

You did see it. No, I said diamond. I'm sorry, hold on.

[Lauren LaRosa]

He said platinum.

[DJ Envy]

He said diamond.

[Fetty Wap]

I didn't mean that. Multi Platinum.

[DJ Envy]

Not 1, 2, 3, 4, Diamond. Did you see that on your car?

[Fetty Wap]

No, not at all, man. Not at all. I just remember, I'm like, yo, I'm like, I just want a Ferrari, bro. I just want to know what it feels like to drive a Ferrari. You know what I'm saying? And it's just. I don't know now it's just like, wow. Like, I. I really don't have. Like, I'm not one of those guys that really, like, knows how to explain what he's feeling like, you know what I mean? I kind of just like this. It feels good. I'm like one of those.

[DJ Envy]

And what does Jersey mean to Philly? Wap, anybody from Jersey here? What does Jersey mean to Fetty Wa?

[Fetty Wap]

Jersey mean life, man. This is my whole life. Like, I represent Jersey everywhere. I got a tattoo on my stomach. Like a big new Jersey now. Yeah. So you know what I mean? It's like this. This is my whole life. I love everything about the Jersey. I love all the four seasons. I love the nine degrees outside, you know what I'm saying? Like, I love the boat.

[DJ Envy]

You keep that nine degrees. It's cold, man.

[Fetty Wap]

Hey, I appreciate it. I appreciate it. You know what I'm saying? A lot of. A lot of places I've been, they don't get the experience to know the cold. So, like, everything. The chicken stores, nine piece, hot wing, that's my thing right there. You know what I'm saying? So just. I love Jersey.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I saw the video, you at harbor, the club in New York, and you were singing. It was another place. Lotus. That was the first video, and that went viral, right? And people were like, oh, my God, the voice is still there. The energy is still there. I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit everything.

[Fetty Wap]

It was weird, you know what I'm saying? I ain't doing in four years. So it's like. I don't know if that's going to sound the same. I might sound a little different or something, but it just. I don't know. I was just flowing, man. I was just having fun. Like, just everybody singing with me. It was like, all right, let's get. Once you get in that bop, it's like, all right, let's do what I do. You know what I'm saying? Like, I was just having fun.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And then the 2016 challenge was like. Like a few days right before that. And then it's like, at time, it was just impeccable.

[Fetty Wap]

I. I don't know. All I said was like, yo, we gonna bring back that 2016 feeling. Then it just, like, just. Yeah, it was like a whole 20, 26, 2016 thing. I'm like, what's going on? I don't. I don't know. I didn't even post mine yet. You know, I'm still waiting.

[DJ Envy]

Well, what we're gonna do is we're gonna ask two questions from the audience. We're gonna allow the audience members to ask Fetty Wap two questions. So put your hands up if you have a question, and then we're gonna rock out.

[Fetty Wap]

All right,

[DJ Envy]

this young lady right here. Okay, what is your question for shredding? Nice and loud, please.

[Fetty Wap]

Am I gonna perform for you? I'll do something. Wow.

[DJ Envy]

One other question. One other question. We got another question. Is anybody see anybody learned?

[Lauren LaRosa]

You ain't doing that to me. Just tell me where to go.

[Fetty Wap]

I don't see it.

[DJ Envy]

I see. All right. Right there, young man. Right there.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Okay, we'll go right here.

[DJ Envy]

What's your question, brother?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Can I get on stage? We need perform.

[DJ Envy]

You know the words.

[Fetty Wap]

You know the words. All right. He said he know the words. I got.

[DJ Envy]

You want to do it?

[Fetty Wap]

Let's do it.

[DJ Envy]

You got Draft Queen.

[Fetty Wap]

Let's go.

[DJ Envy]

I need everybody to sing along. Everybody to stand up, please. Okay, hold up. Before we do this, I asked Fetty not to perform. I said, this is something different. This is Black History Month. But he said Jersey said he gotta do it. So one time. I need everybody to stand up, please. Don't knock everybody over. Let's go.

[Fetty Wap]

Okay, let's do it.

[DJ Envy]

Hey, I want y' all to sing along.

[Fetty Wap]

Hands, though.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I hope you guys enjoyed that conversation. I will tell you. I mean, I know you can't really hear it from the interview, but the way that the crowd embraced Fetty Wap, it was just great to see. I think impact and music artists is. Is a conversation that people have now all the time. Like, do these artists have impact to the point where their songs will last? The feeling will last. The influence will last. Fetty Wap got it. He shut them all down. I mean, four floors of people stopped, got quiet, sat on the edge of the seats just to hear that conversation. So shout out to fetty. I'm Lauren LaRosa. This has been another episode of the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. I tell you guys, every episode, y' all could be anywhere with anybody talking about all the things, but y' all choose to be right here with me. And for that, I appreciate you guys. I'll see you in my next episode. This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.