Harlem rapper Max B fueled speculation about his impending release with a September 15 Instagram comment declaring, “The Wave touches down November 9. The countdown begins.” The cryptic statement immediately drew attention, suggesting the artist’s long-anticipated return could be imminent nearly 15 years after his sentencing.
Max B, born Charly Wingate, has been incarcerated since 2009. A New Jersey jury convicted him of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, kidnapping and felony murder.
He initially received a 75-year sentence, though his term was later reduced following multiple appeals and sentence modifications. Court records show that in 2019, his sentence was formally cut to 12 years, significantly advancing his potential release date.
While the New Jersey Department of Corrections has not confirmed November 9 as his official release, Max B’s post indicates confidence that his term is nearing completion. Legal observers note that incarcerated individuals often receive projected release dates factoring in good behavior credits and program participation.
Max B’s Release Date
The rapper, known for pioneering the “Wave” style of melodic rap. He has remained musically active throughout his incarceration, releasing recordings and guest features facilitated through prison communication systems. Still, his physical return to the music industry has been described as a potential cultural turning point, particularly given his influence on mainstream artists including French Montana, Wiz Khalifa and Kanye West.
Max B’s case has long attracted attention in both legal and cultural contexts. His original conviction stemmed from a 2006 robbery in Fort Lee, New Jersey. It ended in the death of one man. Prosecutors argued that Wingate orchestrated the crime, though he has consistently denied direct involvement.
If released on the timeline he suggested, Max B would join a growing list of hip-hop figures whose legal battles have shaped their careers. For supporters, the prospect of a November 9 release represents not only the conclusion of a lengthy incarceration. It’s also the start of a new legal and cultural chapter.
His declaration frames that date as more than a logistical milestone, casting it as both a legal resolution and a symbolic homecoming.
