Harlem rapper Max B has been freed from prison after serving 16 years of a reduced 20-year sentence for his role in a 2009 armed robbery. The influential artist, known for his wavy vocal style, announced his release date last year and confirmed it on November 9, 2025. He will now serve five years on parole while planning his return to music.
Background on the Case
Max B, born Charly Wingate, was sentenced to 75 years in 2009 for orchestrating an armed robbery in New Jersey that resulted in a man's death. Although he was in another state at the time, he was convicted as an accomplice. Due to a conflict of interest in the original case and a subsequent plea deal on an aggravated manslaughter charge, his sentence was reduced to 20 years.
Release Announcement and Confirmation
On the Joe Budden Podcast in December 2024, Max B revealed that his release was scheduled for November 9, 2025. French Montana, a longtime collaborator, confirmed the news on social media that day, posting, “Can’t make this up! My brother really came home on my b day! Hamdulillah walked it down! No more free you.” Max B shared a letter on Instagram stating he would remain on parole for five years following his release.
Music from Behind Bars
Even during his incarceration, Max B continued creating music. He released the album Vigilante Season in 2011, the Coke Wave 4 mixtape with French Montana, and contributed an interlude to Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo. In a recent OkayPlayer interview, he reflected on his process: “Producers send me tracks and I do what I do. When I really want to put something down, I sit and get it right. But for the most part, s**t just be coming to me. I can still make it sound good. Still got that buttery, milky voice for the ladies. That’s my inspiration right there—knowing I’m about to come back out here and get a chance to do it all over again.”
His release marks a new chapter for the rapper, whose influence on Harlem's hip-hop scene persists.