If you’ve spent any time on Hip-Hop Twitter or lurking in the comments of a drill music video, you’ve probably seen the debate. How old is Fivio Foreign, really? For a long time, there was this weird, persistent rumor that he was much younger than he actually is. Some people genuinely thought he was in his early twenties when "Big Drip" blew up.
He wasn't.
The Brooklyn rapper, whose real name is Maxie Lee Ryles III, was born on March 29, 1990. As of early 2026, that makes him 35 years old. He'll be hitting the big 36 this spring.
In an industry that usually obsesses over teenage prodigies and "the next big thing" before they can legally buy a drink, Fivio is a bit of an outlier. He didn't hit the mainstream stratosphere until he was nearly 30. That’s a lifetime in rap years. But that age gap actually explains a lot about his career, his flow, and why he stayed underground for so long before the world finally caught on.
The Age Mystery and the "Young Rapper" Image
Why did everyone think he was a kid? Honestly, it’s probably because of the energy. Brooklyn drill is inherently a young man’s game. It’s high-octane, aggressive, and usually fueled by 19-year-olds in North Face puffers. When Fivio emerged as a leader of that movement alongside the late Pop Smoke, people just assumed they were in the same age bracket.
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But the reality is Fivio had been grinding for a decade before the "overnight" success of 2019.
He started rapping way back in 2011. Back then, he went by Lite Fivio. He wasn't some industry plant or a lucky viral sensation; he was a guy who spent his entire twenties trying to make the music thing work while navigating a pretty rough life in East Flatbush. When he finally rebranded to Fivio Foreign in 2013 and eventually dropped "Big Drip," he already had the perspective of a man who’d seen it all.
A Timeline of the Grind
- 1990: Born in Brooklyn.
- 2011: Starts rapping as Lite Fivio.
- 2016: A turning point—his mother passes away, a loss he’s spoken about being a massive wake-up call.
- 2019: "Big Drip" goes nuclear. He signs with Mase’s RichFish Records and Columbia.
- 2020: Features on Drake’s "Demons" and joins the XXL Freshman Class at age 30.
- 2022: Drops B.I.B.L.E., executive produced by Kanye West.
- 2025/2026: Solidifies his status as a veteran with Big Drip 2.0 and consistent features.
Why 35 is the New 25 in Drill
There’s a specific maturity to how Fivio handles himself now. You see it in his interviews and his recent work like Pain and Love 2. He’s not just chasing the next viral TikTok dance—though he’s good at that too. He’s focused on fatherhood (he has three kids) and building a legacy that lasts longer than a summer hit.
Being 35 gives him a level of "OG" status that many of his peers lack. He survived the era when Brooklyn drill was at its most dangerous. He saw friends like Pop Smoke and T-Dott Woo lose their lives. That kind of trauma changes a person. It makes you realize that being "old" in this game is a blessing, not something to be ashamed of.
He’s also been incredibly smart about collaborations. Instead of staying boxed in, he leaned into the mentorship of Ye (Kanye West). That partnership on "Off the Grid" didn't just give him a hit; it gave him credibility with an older, more global audience.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Career
The biggest misconception isn't just his age—it's the idea that he’s a "new" artist.
When you look at his old YouTube freestyles from 2013 or 2014, the hunger is exactly the same. The only difference is the production quality. He spent years in the "800 Foreignside" collective, building a local buzz that most rappers today would give anything for.
Basically, Fivio is the poster child for the "don't give up" mantra. If he had quit at 25 because he hadn't "made it" yet, we never would have gotten some of the best verses in modern drill.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Artists
If you're following Fivio's journey, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding how he managed to stay relevant well into his thirties in a youth-centric genre:
- Verify the Source: Celebrity ages are often misreported on "bio" sites. Always look for birth certificates or direct interview confirmations (Fivio has been open about being born in '90).
- The Pivot is Key: Fivio didn't just stay a "drill rapper." He collaborated with Alicia Keys, Lil Tjay, and Kanye West to broaden his sound.
- Longevity Over Hype: If you're an aspiring creator, remember that Fivio's "big break" happened at 29. The timeline doesn't matter as much as the quality of the output.
- Legacy Building: Look at his Foreignside Foundation. He’s using his platform to help at-risk youth, showing that his age has brought a sense of responsibility to his community.
Check out his latest releases like Big Drip 2.0 to hear how his sound has evolved since the original dropped. Whether you're a day-one fan from the Brooklyn streets or just discovered him through Kanye, knowing he's 35 helps you appreciate the sheer amount of work it took to get here.