Fetty Wap Performs Free Concert For Paterson High School Students
PATERSON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Rapper Fetty Wap paid a visit to his hometown of Paterson Thursday.
The New Jersey native gave a free outdoor concert Thursday on the football field at School 15 for Paterson high school students. He was greeted with wild cheers.
Wap, whose given name is Willie Maxwell, has had a lot of success without releasing an album, selling 2.2 million tracks of his hit ``Trap Queen,'' which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
One concertgoer named Andre told 1010 WINS' Rebecca Granet that he used to see the rapper on the street before hitting it big.
"He's friendly, he's cool, just a normal person," Andre said. "Not he's a celebrity."
City spokeswoman Laura Young said about 1,200 students had been expected to attend the show. Officials told the newspaper all 1,200 tickets for the event were distributed, but about 500 tickets ended up unclaimed.
The area was heavily guarded with police and special units. No one was allowed near the venue unless they are wearing an official wristband that says "Back 2 School/Fetty Wap."
Paterson high schoolers are ready for @fettywap - free concert here for them at 3P. #1010WINS #679 pic.twitter.com/DjjguJs7Oj
— Rebecca Granet (@RebeccaGranet) August 27, 2015
There was also pre-show that includes artists Mike Hardy and Zach Matari.
Fetty Wap hit the stage at 5:45 p.m. when the mayor presented him with a key to the city. Fetty Wap aditte he was nervous.
``I got a confession to make,'' he said at Bauerle Field near Paterson's Eastside High School, according to The Record newspaper. ``I performed for 60,000 people. I performed in almost every state, and this is the first time I'm ever nervous.... You all are a tough crowd to please.''
Students left the concert with a backpack full of new school supplies, Young said.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)