Harlem rapper Max B was released from prison on Sunday after serving 16 years for his role in a botched armed robbery that resulted in a man’s death.
The rapper, born Charley Wingate, released a string of mixtapes and popularised the term “wavy” prior to his 2007 arrest on manslaughter and armed robbery charges.
He had revealed earlier this year in a phone interview from prison that he would be released on 9 November.
“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 sentenced to 75 years in prison, accused of being an accomplice to a robbery in New Jersey that ended in murder. The rapper was not in the state at the time.
The conviction was vacated in 2016, after a new legal team argued his original trial lawyer had a conflict of interest in the case. His sentence was reduced to 20 years.
French Montana, with whom Max B collaborated on their 2009 mixtape Coke Wave, was among those who greeted the rapper following his release on Sunday.
“Can’t make this up! My brother really came home on my bday!” Montana wrote on social media.
Despite being behind bars, Max B released new music from prison over the years, often recording over the phone, Rolling Stone reported.
He appeared on the track Siiiiiiiiilver Surffffeeeeer Intermission on Kanye West’s 2016 album, The Life of Pablo.
Earlier this year, he contributed Max B Interlude to Wiz Khalifa’s Kush + Orange Juice 2.
Max B has already hinted at new music in a social media post: “It’s time to open the flood gates. See yall in a few.”
