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Martrel Reeves[3] (born June 26, 1990), better known by his stage name Fat Trel, is an American rapper. He was previously signed to Asylum Records, Rick Ross's record label Maybach Music Group, an imprint of Atlantic Records, and fellow DMV rapper Wale's label The Board Administration.[4][5] From 2009 to 2016, Reeves released at least one solo mixtape per year.

Musical career

[edit]

2011–12: Career beginnings

[edit]

In 2011, Fat Trel released "Respect With The Tec" produced by Lex Luger. He was selected to perform with Juicy J, Smoke DZA and Joey Badass.

In 2012, Fat Trel released the mixtape Nightmare on E Street featuring Kirko Bangz, Cuz Quette, Red Café, Rick Ross and Big K.R.I.T. and also worked with Chief Keef on "Russian Roulette".[6] Fat Trel then joined Master P's Louie V Mob along with Alley Boy. Master P, Fat Trel and Alley Boy released a free mixtape as Louie V Mob on February 12, 2013, titled New World Order.[7] In addition to Master P, Trel and Alley, the tape also features guest appearances by Gucci Mane, E-40 and other artists. On August 19, 2013, Fat Trel released SDMG (which stands for "Sex, Drugs, Money, Guns").[8] The mixtape features guest appearances by Wale, Black Cobain, Magazeen, Smoke DZA, Danny Brown, YG, Red Café and others. The production was handled by Young Chop, Cardo, Harry Fraud, DJ Mustard and others.[9]

2013–2014: Signing with Rick Ross and Gleesh

[edit]

On November 6, 2013, MMG announced that they had signed Fat Trel. Fat Trel released his first project on MMG, Gleesh on April 1, 2014. Gleesh is a 15-track mixtape with guest appearances from Rick Ross, Wale, Rockie Fresh, Tracy T, Stalley and others, with production from All Star, Harry Fraud, Young Chop and others.[10] Ultimately, Gleesh would be the only project Fat Trel released with MMG.

2015–17: Georgetown, Muva Russia and SDMG 2

[edit]

Fat Trel released his mixtape, Georgetown on June 9, 2015.[11] The mixtape is a 16-track mixtape with guest appearances from Wale, Rick Ross, and Fetty Wap, among others.[11] On December 25, 2015, on Christmas Day, Fat Trel released another mixtape called Muva Russia with Trap-A-Holics.[12] The mixtape serves as Trel's second and last project of 2015.[12] On June 28, 2016, Fat Trel released his mixtape, SDMG 2.[13] The mixtape served as a sequel to his 2013 mixtape SDMG.[13]

On January 27, 2017, Trel teamed up with his MMG labelmate Yowda, and they released a mixtape titled Fat & Ugly.[14] On April 1, 2017, he released a song titled "Rain" featuring American rapper Lil Durk.[15] On July 27, 2017, he released another single called "Bachelor".[16]

Trel released a single called "Fuck 12" on October 21, 2017.[16] The song was produced by his frequent collaborator, Yung Lan. This marks his first song since his release from jail.[16] He released a music video for the song on November 3, 2017, on his YouTube page.[17] He later announced that his next project, titled Finally Free, will be released soon.[17]

2018–19: Finally Free, On the Run and On the Run 2

[edit]

Fat Trel released a music video for the song called "Low Life" on April 6, 2018, on WorldStarHipHop and YouTube, and the video was later uploaded on Trel's YouTube page on April 13, nine days prior.[18] The song was produced by King LeeBoy. The song was later released on April 19, 2018, on streaming platforms.[19] On April 21, 2018, Trel released another song called "Large Amount", which marked as the one and only single for the forthcoming mixtape Finally Free.[20] The song was later released on commercial streaming platforms 12 days later.[21]

Fat Trel released his Finally Free mixtape on July 13, 2018.[22] This was his first mixtape after being released from prison. One week later, the mixtape was re-released on commercial streaming platforms, serving as Trel's first commercial mixtape release.[23] Two months later, Fat Trel released another project titled On The Run, on October 8, 2018.[24] This marks as his second mixtape release of 2018.[24] And, On December 21, 2018, Trel released another mixtape, On The Run 2.[25] It was served as a sequel to his previous mixtape On The Run, which was released two months prior.[25] This marks as his third and last mixtape release of 2018.[25] And, on July 5, 2019, Trel released his next mixtape, called 1901.[26]

2020–22: Big Homie, Fat & Ugly 2 and signing to Asylum Records

[edit]

On June 26, 2020, Fat Trel released his mixtape Big Homie, under the Slutty Boyz imprint, DTLA Records, with distribution by Beryl Media.[27] On September 8, 2020, he later collabed with Yowda again, and they both released a mixtape called, Fat & Ugly 2, which is a sequel to their previous 2017 collab tape Fat & Ugly.[28] This mixtape marks as Fat Trel's final mixtape release under the Maybach Music Group label imprint.[28] On October 1, 2020, he released a single titled "Keep Yo Problems", featuring Rashad Stark.[29]

On October 15, 2021, after he was released from jail, he quickly reconnected with Rick Ross, who remains close with Fat Trel despite him no longer being part of the MMG label.[30] He released a song called "Last Day In" on November 10, 2021, which marks as Trel's first song since his release from prison. Two days later, the song was later released on streaming services under the Slutty Boyz and MGE The Label imprint.[31]

On June 16, 2022, he released a music video for the song called "LLB3 (Long Live Boosa)" on his YouTube.[32] On June 17, 2022, he released the song on streaming platforms via Asylum Records, the day after the music video of the song was released.[32][33] On June 21, 2022, Fat Trel announced that he had signed a deal with Asylum Records.[citation needed] On February 24, 2023, he was featured in Logic's new album "College Park" in the song "Gaithersburg Freestyle."[citation needed]

[edit]

In 2016, Fat Trel was arrested twice in unrelated incidents. In March, he was arrested in Anne Arundel County for using counterfeit currency at a Maryland casino. Fat Trel claimed he got the money from a D.C. convenience store ATM.[34] In April, he was arrested in Arlington County, Virginia for driving while intoxicated, narcotics distribution, speeding, and other charges.[35] He spent over a year in Arlington County Jail, before being released on September 22, 2017.[36] While in prison, he recorded nearly 250 songs.[37]

On July 8, 2018, Fat Trel was pulled over in Prince George's County, Maryland for traffic violations and had his vehicle searched. Police found a .40 caliber privately made pistol with ten rounds of ammunition in the car. Fat Trel told police the weapon was his and he was arrested. He faced a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and pleaded guilty on September 22, 2020.[38] On September 24, 2021, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Fat Trel to two years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.[39] On October 15, 2021, Fat Trel was released from prison due to time served.

On December 8, 2021, Fat Trel was later arrested again, and he was booked at the Arlington County Sheriff's Office on four counts of a Revocation of Suspended Sentence and Probation in connection to a 2018 arrest.[40] Trel was in custody awaiting bond and has a court date scheduled for January 14, 2022.[40] On January 14, 2022, he was sentenced to a year and a half in prison.[41] On November 21, 2022, Fat Trel was finally released from prison.[42]

Personal life

[edit]

Fat Trel has two sons and a daughter.[37] He is a Christian.[43]

In 2018, after being released from prison, Fat Trel told XXL that he was sober and his mixtape Finally Free was the first mixtape he produced sober. He described the challenges of quitting lean and cited the death of Fredo Santana as a wake up call.[37]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Fat Trel discography

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Fat Trel

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Martrel Reeves (born June 26, 1990), known professionally as Fat Trel, is an American rapper from , noted for his rooted in the local DMV scene and prolific output of independent . Born in , and raised in Southeast D.C. after his family relocated, Reeves adopted the stage name Fat Trel around age 10 while pursuing early interests in amid life influences that led him to drop out of high school at 15. He debuted with the 2009 mixtape Noska Musik and built a regional following through subsequent releases like Gleesh (2013), which highlighted his combative lyricism and collaborations, briefly elevating his profile via a short-lived signing to Rick Ross's . Later projects such as Georgetown (2015), Finally Free (2018), On the Run 2 (2018), and Big Homie (2020) sustained his underground presence under labels like MGE The Label, though commercial breakthroughs remained limited. Fat Trel's trajectory has been overshadowed by recurrent legal entanglements, including a 2016 arrest for attempting to pass counterfeit bills at a , subsequent imprisonment for driving while intoxicated and marijuana possession, a 2021 revocation of leading to re-incarceration, and more recent 2024-2025 detentions in D.C. and on charges involving drugs, , and other violations.

Early life

Upbringing in Southeast Washington, D.C.

Martrel Reeves, known professionally as Fat Trel, was born on June 26, 1990, in Danville, Virginia, to parents whose relationship ended shortly after his birth; his mother, Pamela Sheppard, relocated with Reeves and his two younger brothers to Washington, D.C., around age three to pursue better economic opportunities near extended family. His father, Calvin Gravel, an amateur musician, remained distant and later resided in Las Vegas. The family initially stayed in temporary housing before settling in Northeast Washington, D.C., specifically the Pentacle apartment complex on Benning Road NE and the 1600 block of E Street NE in Ward 5, areas marked by urban poverty and street activity that shaped Reeves' early exposure to local hustling and violence. Sheppard supported the household through entry-level jobs, including at KFC, before earning a degree in human services, emphasizing self-reliance amid the challenges of single parenthood in a high-crime environment. Reeves entered first grade in D.C. public schools and briefly attended Largo High School in adjacent , but was expelled during his freshman year for disciplinary issues and dropped out entirely at age 15, drawn into street life involving petty crime and associations with older neighborhood figures who provided informal mentorship on survival tactics. By age seven, he expressed ambitions to become a , influenced by his surroundings and familial musical interests, though formal gave way to immediate economic pressures common in such wards.

Musical style and themes

Influences from DMV trap and gangsta rap

Fat Trel's musical style draws heavily from gangsta rap traditions, particularly the lyrical and emotive variants of the 1990s and early 2000s, which emphasize raw street narratives and personal vulnerability amid aggression. He has cited influences from rappers like Scarface, whose introspective gangsta rap—marked by detailed storytelling of hardship and moral ambiguity—shaped Trel's approach to blending bravado with emotional depth in tracks depicting Southeast D.C. life. This foundation is echoed in his father's amateur freestyles, which first sparked his interest in rap as a vehicle for authentic expression, predating his exposure to broader gangsta archetypes. His mixtapes, such as SDMG (2013), revive these elements through unfiltered accounts of violence, loyalty, and survival, positioning his work as a continuation of gangsta rap's emphasis on credibility derived from lived experiences rather than fabrication. In parallel, DMV trap's regional evolution profoundly informed Trel's production choices and delivery, fusing Southern trap's booming 808 bass and repetitive hooks with the area's distinctive menacing synth arpeggios and high-energy flows tailored to local club and street contexts. Emerging in the early alongside peers like , DMV trap provided Trel a framework for "trunk-rattling" beats that amplify combative lyrics, as seen in collaborations with trap producers like , whose ominous instrumentals on Trel's April Foolz (2011) mirrored the genre's shift toward atmospheric aggression. This influence manifests in his adoption of trap's minimalist structures to underscore DMV-specific themes of neighborhood rivalries and resilience, distinguishing his from purer Southern variants while amplifying its in D.C.'s car and party culture. Trel's integration of these influences extends to newer gangsta-trap hybrids, such as Chief Keef's drill-infused style, which molded his early material into a "new " template emphasizing youthful defiance and viral simplicity. Producers and contemporaries in the DMV scene further reinforced this, with figures like —admired for his boss-level gangsta persona—offering a blueprint for Trel's era, where trap beats underpin opulent yet gritty boasts. Local DMV pioneer Wale also served as an early motivator, inspiring Trel through accessible, narrative-driven tracks that bridged conscious rap with street appeal, though Trel gravitated more toward trap's raw edge. Overall, these strands converge in Trel's output, prioritizing sonic intensity and thematic unvarnished realism over polished lyricism alone.

Musical career

2011–2012: Mixtape beginnings and local buzz

In 2011, Fat Trel released the mixtape April Foolz on April 1, self-released following his departure from the Board Administration collective. The project, hosted by DJ Money Bags, featured 20 tracks emphasizing raw street narratives and trap production, distributed via platforms like DatPiff and promoted through local performances, including a collaboration with the Slutty Boyz at the 2011 DMV Awards. This release built on his prior work, such as the 2010 No Secrets, and contributed to his rising profile in the Washington, D.C., area by showcasing aggressive lyricism tied to Northeast D.C. experiences. By late 2011, Fat Trel had garnered significant local recognition, topping 93.9 WKYS-FM's list of the DMV's hottest rappers, a jump from his #10 position the prior year, due to his "rough yet spiritually powerful lyrical content." This buzz manifested in opening slots for major acts like Rick Ross and coverage in D.C. media highlighting his potential to elevate the local hip-hop scene beyond go-go influences. In early 2012, outlets like The Washington Post profiled him as a key figure in the city's rap underground, noting his efforts to translate street credibility into broader appeal amid a competitive DMV landscape. Continuing his independent momentum, Fat Trel dropped Nightmare on E Street on March 26, 2012, another self-released effort with 21 tracks featuring guests like , Red Café, and , which drew attention for its gritty production and boasts of D.C. innovation. The received local reviews praising its energy while critiquing occasional bravado, solidifying his status as a prankster-like voice in the DMV trap scene. These releases and endorsements fostered a dedicated regional following, positioning him for national scrutiny without major label backing at the time.

2013–2014: Maybach Music Group affiliation and Gleesh breakthrough

On November 6, 2013, (MMG), the imprint founded by rapper , officially announced the signing of Fat Trel alongside Tracy T, positioning him as the second Washington, D.C.-area artist on the label after Wale. This deal followed reports of preliminary management ties to and earlier in the year, but the November announcement formalized his roster placement under a sub-imprint connected to Wale. The affiliation leveraged Fat Trel's growing regional profile from prior independent mixtapes, providing access to 's production resources and promotional network amid his adoption of the "Gleesh" moniker, a persona emphasizing his street-oriented, high-energy delivery. Fat Trel's MMG tenure facilitated collaborations with labelmates, including appearances on tracks produced by MMG-affiliated beatsmiths, which amplified his exposure beyond the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) scene. In early 2014, he contributed verses to MMG compilation projects and singles, such as features with and Wale, building anticipation for his label debut. These efforts marked a shift from his independent Slutty Boyz releases, with MMG's infrastructure enabling broader distribution through platforms like and LiveMixtapes. The period culminated in the April 1, 2014, release of the mixtape Gleesh, Fat Trel's first project under MMG and a 15-track effort hosted by DJ Drama, featuring guest spots from Rick Ross, Wale, Stalley, and Rockie Fresh. Distributed digitally via MMG and Slutty Boyz, Gleesh showcased trap-influenced beats with themes of street life, luxury, and bravado, peaking in popularity through viral singles like "She Fell in Love" and drawing over a million streams on mixtape aggregators within weeks of launch. The project solidified "Gleesh" as Fat Trel's breakthrough alias, earning coverage in hip-hop outlets for its raw lyricism and label synergy, though it faced minor backlash over its cover art depicting actress Lea Michele.

2015–2017: Independent releases and SDMG projects

In June 2015, Fat Trel released the 16-track Georgetown on June 9, featuring guest appearances from , , Wale, and , among others, with production emphasizing trap beats reflective of his DMV style. The project, distributed via his Slutty Boyz imprint in affiliation with , garnered attention for tracks like "I Need a Bag" but did not achieve significant commercial breakthrough amid ongoing label delays for a full . On December 25, 2015, Fat Trel followed with Muva Russia, a 22-track hosted by DJ Trap-A-Holics, showcasing raw street narratives and collaborations with local DMV artists, produced largely by Lyons League and Dree the Drummer. Released through Slutty Boyz and , it highlighted his persistence in mixtape output despite stalled major-label momentum, with standout cuts like "Muva Russia Intro" underscoring themes of loyalty and hustle. The period's key SDMG project arrived on , , with SDMG 2, a 15-track sequel to his 2013 SDMG under the Sex Drugs Money Gang banner, featuring on "Run Da City" and Chris Bo on "Act A Fool," produced by JD on tha Track and others. Distributed via Slutty Boyz and , it maintained the gritty, gang-affiliated aesthetic of the original series, focusing on murder, , and street dominance, though reception noted its intensity without broader mainstream push. By 2017, Fat Trel's output shifted toward singles like "1800-Cal-Trel," signaling a transitional phase amid personal challenges and label frustrations, as he prepared independent-leaning projects while still nominally tied to . These efforts underscored his reliance on mixtape circuits and crew-driven releases through Slutty Boyz/SDMG, prioritizing over polished major releases.

2018–2019: Transitional mixtapes amid setbacks

In 2018, Fat Trel released the Finally Free on July 13, consisting of 17 tracks produced by artists including YB On Da Beat and Crank Shop, with guest appearances from , Scrilla, Tazzy, Ant Glizzy, and others. This project marked his return following a one-year sentence served until late 2017 for prior charges, during which he had recorded nearly 250 songs but faced interruptions from incarceration. Notably, Finally Free was the first Trel completed entirely sober, reflecting efforts to overcome addiction amid the broader challenges of reentering the music industry independently after his affiliation stalled without a major commercial breakthrough. The release underscored transitional struggles, as Trel navigated sobriety without prior reliance on substances for creativity, citing the 2018 death of fellow rapper —also linked to lean overuse—as a pivotal motivator to quit. Despite the project's hard-hitting trap sound and features from established names, it garnered limited mainstream traction, perpetuating a pattern of regional buzz in the DMV area without wider label support or chart success, compounded by the lingering professional fallout from 2016 arrests for currency, narcotics, and firearms. By 2019, Trel issued on July 5, a nine-track effort in the trap genre featuring Bandhunta , Yowda, Quez, Luckey, and Z-Wayne, with production from Crankshop and others emphasizing street-oriented themes like and resilience. This continued the independent trajectory, but setbacks persisted through personal recovery demands and the absence of significant promotional infrastructure, as Trel's output remained confined to circuits rather than advancing toward sustained national visibility. The period highlighted a phase of stylistic consistency in DMV trap influences yet hampered momentum, with sobriety and post-incarceration readjustment diverting focus from aggressive touring or collaborations that might have rebuilt earlier hype.

2020–2022: Big Homie era and label signings

On June 26, 2020, Fat Trel released the Big Homie, an 18-track project featuring collaborations with artists such as No Savage and Big Flock, distributed independently under his Slutty Boyz imprint. The emphasized themes of street life and resilience, aligning with Trel's established DMV trap style, and was made available on platforms including and . Later that year, on September 7, 2020, Trel collaborated with rapper Yowda on the EP Fat n' Ugly 2, a five-track to their 2017 project, produced with trap-influenced beats and focusing on gritty narratives. Trel's musical output was interrupted by ongoing legal issues, including incarceration; he was released from on October 15, 2021, after serving time on prior charges. Following his release, Trel issued the single "Last Day In" on November 10, 2021, marking his return to recording with reflections on and determination, accompanied by an official . In early 2022, Trel faced further incarceration after being sentenced to 18 months in on January 14, yet he continued professional advancements from behind bars or during brief periods of freedom. On June 21, 2022, he announced a distribution deal with through MGE The Label, signaling a major label affiliation after years of independent and prior MMG/Atlantic associations. Concurrently, on June 17, 2022, he released the single "LLB3 (Long Live Boosa)", a tribute to his late brother Boosa, featuring raw about loss and perseverance, with an accompanying video. Trel was ultimately released from on November 21, 2022, concluding this transitional phase of intermittent releases amid legal constraints.

2023–present: Recent albums and ongoing activity

In June 2023, Fat Trel released the album Nightmare on E Street 2 through Slutty Boyz and MGE The Label, featuring tracks that continued his trap-influenced style with collaborations including . The project included singles like "Finsta" featuring Big Boogie, which gained attention for its raw street narratives. By August 30, , he followed with Boosa's Keeper, a 17-track distributed via digital platforms, emphasizing themes of resilience and local loyalty, with production highlighting DMV sound elements. A deluxe edition expanded the release on November 22, , adding further content to build on its momentum. An instrumental version of Nightmare on E Street 2 also surfaced in , catering to producers and fans. Entering 2025, Fat Trel maintained activity with singles such as "Time for Us" on March 6, signaling preparations for broader comebacks, and "Hit the Brakes," which appeared on streaming services amid his ongoing independent output. In 2025, he dropped "Cry" accompanied by an official , teasing the upcoming project City of God. These efforts reflect sustained independent releases without major label backing, focusing on direct fan engagement via platforms like and .

Discography

Key mixtapes and albums

Fat Trel's breakthrough mixtape, Gleesh, was released on April 1, 2014, via . The 15-track project featured appearances from labelmates , Wale, and , along with production from contributors like , helping establish Trel's presence in the DMV trap scene through tracks emphasizing street narratives and aggressive flows. In 2015, Georgetown followed on June 9, distributed independently but aligned with his MMG affiliation. This 16-track included guest spots from , , and , focusing on themes of local pride and resilience, with standout cuts like "I Need a Bag" gaining regional traction. Finally Free, released July 13, 2018, marked a personal milestone as Trel's first recorded entirely sober following his release from incarceration. The project, hosted on platforms like LiveMixtapes, featured introspective tracks alongside collaborations, reflecting recovery and independence amid ongoing legal challenges. Subsequent releases like Big Homie on June 26, 2020, under and Slutty Boyz, continued his output with 18 tracks emphasizing veteran status in , including features from regional artists. More recent efforts, such as Nightmare on E Street 2 on June 9, 2023, revisit early aesthetics with updated production, maintaining Trel's consistent -driven career .

Notable singles and collaborations

Fat Trel's "," a 2012 collaboration with , marked an early crossover hit blending DMV trap with Chicago drill, garnering over 3.2 million plays on and highlighting his gritty street narratives. The track's raw production and themes of risk and survival resonated in underground circuits, establishing Trel's versatility beyond local scenes. In 2014, "I Need You" featuring , produced by Allsteezy, emerged as a melodic standout with over 4.1 million plays, showcasing Trel's ability to adapt to R&B-infused trap hooks amid rising East Coast influences. This single underscored his collaborative appeal, blending introspective lyrics on dependency with Wap's signature crooning. The 2015 track "BRRRR," featuring Wale and and produced by , appeared on Trel's Georgetown mixtape and emphasized boastful flexing over booming bass, drawing from affiliations during his brief label stint. Its high-profile guests amplified Trel's exposure, though commercial metrics remained mixtape-driven rather than chart-topping. Recent efforts include the October 2024 debut collaboration with , which Trel described as a pivotal feature emphasizing mutual respect in the studio process. In May 2025, he appeared on Sexton's "Fuck They Think," a high-energy hip-hop single targeting fan anticipation in the genre. Early 2025 saw "Hit the Brakes" with KP Skywalka, a DMV-centric release kicking off the year with trap beats focused on momentum and regional pride. Other collaborations span artists like , , , , and , often on mixtapes reinforcing Trel's street authenticity and network in trap circles, though specific track impacts vary by underground rather than mainstream metrics.

Arrests and incarcerations from 2016 onward

In March 2016, Fat Trel, whose real name is Martrel Reeves, was arrested in , for possession of counterfeit after attempting to use fake $100 bills at the Maryland Live! casino in . He faced charges including one count of possession of forged , leading to initial detention but eventual progression to broader federal scrutiny involving drugs and firearms from related incidents. Less than a month later, on April 7, 2016, Reeves was arrested again in , on charges of driving while intoxicated, narcotics distribution, speeding, and related offenses following a . These 2016 arrests culminated in federal charges for illegal firearm possession, including a "ghost gun" untraceable by serial number, to which he pleaded guilty on September 22, 2020, while facing up to 10 years in prison. The combined cases resulted in approximately five years of incarceration, with Reeves entering federal custody around July 2018 and being released on October 15, 2021. Following his 2021 release, Reeves was re-arrested in December 2021 for firearm possession, violating terms of his prior supervision and leading to a federal sentence of 18 months imposed on January 14, 2022. He served this additional time and was released on November 21, 2022. On September 20, 2025, Reeves was arrested in , during a near National Harbor, charged with possession of and controlled dangerous substances including marijuana and . He was released on his own the following day, with no reported incarceration stemming from this incident as of October 2025.

Personal life

Family, relationships, and street affiliations

Martrel Reeves, known professionally as Fat Trel, was born on June 26, 1990, in , at the end of a brief relationship between his parents. His mother, Pamela Sheppard (also referred to as Pamela Reeves in some accounts), relocated the family to , when he was four years old, settling in Ward 5 where he was raised in a single-parent household with two brothers. Reeves has three children—two sons and a —from multiple relationships, though details on their mothers remain largely private. He has publicly discussed fatherhood's role in motivating personal change, including apologies for absences caused by legal troubles and a commitment to sobriety post-incarceration to be present for them. One of his children's mothers died at age 23, an event he has referenced in interviews as influencing his life decisions. Public records of romantic relationships are sparse; Reeves was reportedly linked to model in 2011, described as an encounter rather than a sustained . In his youth, Reeves disengaged from formal at age 15, immersing himself in Washington, D.C.'s street economy amid economic pressures in underserved neighborhoods. He maintains ties to SDMG (Sex, Drugs, Money, Guns), a D.C.-based collective emblematic of his early hustling ethos, which he has channeled into mixtapes and affiliations reflecting scene influences and raw depictions of local violence and survival. These connections underscore his origins in Southeast D.C.'s high-risk environment, where he has acknowledged the pull of illicit activities over conventional paths.

Addiction struggles and personal losses

Fat Trel has detailed his long-term to lean (a mixture of and ) and Percocet, substances he consumed heavily during his career's earlier phases. He ceased using both over a year before a September 2024 , marking a deliberate shift after years of dependency that he described as pervasive in his social and professional circles. Quitting proved mentally arduous, with Trel likening it to one of the toughest personal battles he faced, compounded by in recording environments but motivated by a desire to avoid . Post-incarceration in 2018, he produced his Finally Free—released July 13, 2018—without any drug influence, noting it as his first such project and highlighting improved clarity in his creative process. These struggles intersected with profound personal losses that exacerbated his emotional turmoil. Trel lost his , known as Boosa da Shoota, to while incarcerated around 2018–2022, an event that prompted him to dedicate his later album Boosa’s Keeper to processing and resilience. Earlier, in or before 2012, his first child's mother died at age 23, a he publicly mourned as the "wrong" loss given her supportive role, which influenced tracks like those on his 2014 releases. The 2018 death of close friend and collaborator from lean-related complications further underscored Trel's own risks, acting as a pivotal amid his efforts. Additional losses included D.C. associate Money Karno, killed in a 2018 gun violence incident alongside his partner, and fellow inmate Zay Ree, who succumbed to cancer that same year—events Trel reflected on during sober production periods. Trel has reported hallucinatory visions of deceased friends like Boosa, Whoop, and Scooby during quiet moments, interpreting them as spiritual communications tied to unresolved trauma from these deaths. Despite ongoing use of marijuana and alcohol, which he distinguishes from harder narcotics, these experiences have reinforced his commitment to sobriety as a means of honoring the fallen and sustaining his career.

References

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  24. https://kysdc.com/2707057/the-kys-list-the-dmvs-hottest-rappers-2011-9-10/
  25. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/4571-fat-trel-nightmare-on-e-street-mixtape
  26. https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/214462/fat-trels-nightmare-on-e-street-reviewed/
  27. https://www.complex.com/music/a/edwin-ortiz/rick-ross-signs-two-new-artists-to-mmg
  28. https://www.xxlmag.com/fat-trel-signs-to-maybach-music-group/
  29. https://kysdc.com/3139760/dc-own-fattrel-signs-with-mmgroc-nation/
  30. https://hiphopdx.com/news/fat-trel-reportedly-signed-to-maybach-music-group/
  31. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/488021-fat-trel-discusses-why-he-signed-to-mmg-video
  32. https://hiphopdx.com/news/fat-trel-gleesh-release-date-cover-art-tracklist-download-mixtape-stream/
  33. https://rapradar.com/2014/04/01/new-mixtape-fat-trel-gleesh/
  34. https://www.bet.com/article/u3ryov/mixtape-review-fat-trel-gleesh
  35. https://hiphopdx.com/news/fat-trel-georgetown-release-date-cover-art-tracklist-download-mixtape-stream
  36. https://genius.com/albums/Fat-trel/Georgetown
  37. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/mixtape/fat-trel/georgetown/
  38. https://www.discogs.com/release/7983206-Fat-Trel-Muva-Russia
  39. https://audiomack.com/fattrel/album/muva-russia
  40. https://hiphopdx.com/news/fat-trel-drops-sdmg-2-mixtape/
  41. https://genius.com/albums/Fat-trel/Sdmg-2
  42. https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/fat-trel-sdmg-2-mixtape-433248/
  43. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/mixtape/fat-trel/sdmg-2/
  44. https://www.xxlmag.com/fat-trel-interview-finally-free-mixtape/
  45. https://www.xxlmag.com/fat-trel-finally-free-mixtape/
  46. https://rapradar.com/2018/07/13/new-mixtape-fat-trel-finally-free/
  47. https://www.xxlmag.com/fat-trel-finally-free-mixtape-interview/
  48. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/fat-trel/409709796
  49. https://wjla.com/news/local/dc-rapper-fat-trel-arrested-again-on-dwi-narcotics-distribution-and-other-charges
  50. https://www.discogs.com/release/16130854-Fat-Trel-1901
  51. https://hiphophundred.com/fat-trel-1901-mixtape/
  52. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/mixtape/fat-trel/1901/
  53. https://open.spotify.com/album/5r8QqkFTUZyuuyMJoZK5It
  54. https://www.discogs.com/release/16130629-Fat-Trel-Big-Homie
  55. https://music.apple.com/sn/album/big-homie/1749346397
  56. https://music.apple.com/us/album/fat-n-ugly-2-ep/1694090564
  57. https://www.datpiff.com/Yowda-Fat-Trel-Fat-N-Ugly-2-EP-mixtape.990833.html
  58. https://www.instagram.com/p/CVEC505L3ne/
  59. https://music.apple.com/us/album/last-day-in-single/1749337135
  60. https://rapradar.com/2021/11/10/video-fat-trel-last-day-in/
  61. https://www.thehypemagazine.com/2022/06/21/fat-trel-signs-with-asylum-records-releases-llb3-long-live-boosa-video/
  62. https://kids.kiddle.co/Fat_Trel
  63. https://music.apple.com/us/album/llb3-long-live-boosa-single/1629109125
  64. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/artist/6473-fat-trel/
  65. https://music.apple.com/us/album/boosas-keeper/1764343869
  66. https://genius.com/artists/Fat-trel/albums
  67. https://open.spotify.com/artist/1SncSgYiDk2kCBBaXIYcwd
  68. https://www.thehypemagazine.com/2025/03/16/fat-trel-ready-big-2025-with-new-single-time-for-us/
  69. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF2eas5x7wI
  70. https://www.instagram.com/fat_gleesh_/?hl=en
  71. https://www.xxlmag.com/fat-trel-releases-new-mixtape-gleesh/
  72. https://hiphopdx.com/news/fat-trel-georgetown-release-date-cover-art-tracklist-download-mixtape-stream/
  73. https://www.discogs.com/release/7120869-Fat-Trel-Georgetown
  74. https://www.discogs.com/artist/2347092-Fat-Trel
  75. https://genius.com/albums/Fat-trel/Big-homie
  76. https://genius.com/albums/Fat-trel/Nightmare-on-e-street-2/q/release-date
  77. https://www.complex.com/music/a/andrew-martin/video-chief-keef-f-fat-trel-russian-roulette
  78. https://soundcloud.com/fat-trel/popular-tracks
  79. https://hypebeast.com/2015/6/fat-trel-featuring-wale-rick-ross-brrrr-produced-by-cool-dre
  80. https://blackamericaweb.com/2024/10/30/fat-trel-my-first-time-chris-brown-collaboration/
  81. https://www.thehypemagazine.com/2025/05/23/sexton-and-fat-trel-team-up-for-highly-anticipated-single-fuck-they-think/
  82. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/874289-fat-trel-kp-skywalka-hit-breaks-start-2025-hip-hop-news
  83. https://kazimagazine.com/digital-cover/fat-trel-a-free-man-and-a-d-c-icon-in-2021/
  84. https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/d-c-rapper-arrested-for-bogus-bills-at-hanover-casino/
  85. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/dc-rapper-fat-trel-got-arrested-again/2016/04/08/115d63d4-fda1-11e5-886f-a037dba38301_story.html
  86. https://hiphopdx.com/news/fat-trel-from-prison-promises-stay-out
  87. https://www.xxlmag.com/26-of-the-longest-prison-bids-in-hip-hop-history/
  88. https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3865677/rapper-fat-trel-released-from-jail/
  89. https://www.facebook.com/xxlmag/posts/fat-trel-was-booked-on-drug-and-ammo-possession-charges-last-weekend-in-maryland/1327915945595385/
  90. https://www.whosdatedwho.com/dating/fat-trel
  91. https://www.complex.com/music/a/alex-russell/fat-trel-sdmg
  92. https://www.bet.com/article/0fqly1/mixtape-review-fat-trel-sdmg
  93. https://substreammagazine.com/2024/08/fat-trel-previews-upcoming-lp-before-summer-jam/
  94. https://www.xxlmag.com/fat-trels-baby-momma-inspired-new-song/
  95. https://mobile.twitter.com/fattrel/status/273530273457659904
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