After serving 16 years in prison, Harlem rapper Max B has been officially released. He was greeted by French Montana and friends — and already has plans to hit the clubs again.

After nearly two decades behind bars, Harlem rapper Max B is officially a free man. The Wave God was released from Northern State Prison in Newark, New Jersey, where he’d been serving time for his connection to a 2006 robbery and murder that took place in a Fort Lee hotel room.

Originally sentenced to 75 years in prison, Max’s sentence was later reduced to 20 years in 2016 following a successful appeal. Now, after serving 16 years, he’s finally home — though he’ll remain under five years of supervised release.

Upon his release, Max B was greeted by French Montana, his longtime collaborator and friend, along with a crowd of supporters who celebrated the long-awaited moment. Always one to plan ahead, Max reportedly had multiple club appearances already lined up, showing that he was more than ready to jump back into the spotlight.

For years, fans and fellow artists have rallied behind Max B’s freedom, with everyone from Kanye West to Wiz Khalifa shouting him out and crediting him as a major influence on modern hip-hop’s melodic wave sound. Now, with his freedom finally secured, all eyes are on what comes next for one of Harlem’s most unique voices.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.