Few careers in Brooklyn drill have been as dramatic, as commercially potent, and as culturally significant as Fivio Foreign’s. From releasing music under the name “Lite Fivio” in 2011 to becoming one of Pop Smoke’s closest collaborators and racking up hundreds of millions of streams, Fivio Foreign built a career that mirrors Brooklyn’s own rap evolution. His estimated net worth of $4 million in 2026 reflects over a decade of persistence in one of music’s most competitive environments.
| Full Name | Maxie Lee Ryles III |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Fivio Foreign |
| Date of Birth | March 29, 1996 |
| Age | 30 years old (2026) |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Rapper, Songwriter |
| Net Worth | $4 Million (2026) |
| Label | Columbia Records |
| Known For | “Big Drip,” Brooklyn drill pioneer, Pop Smoke collaborator |
Walk Through the Article
Early Life and Background
Maxie Lee Ryles III was born on March 29, 1996, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in the Flatbush and East Flatbush areas of Brooklyn — the same neighborhoods that would later become synonymous with the drill movement he’d help define. His upbringing was shaped by the Caribbean-American culture of Brooklyn, and the pressures of the street environment that infuse much of his music’s subject matter.
Fivio began his music journey in 2011, performing under the name “Lite Fivio.” After two years, he rebranded and formed a rap collective called 800 Foreign Side with a group of Brooklyn MCs — a crew whose name would become intertwined with Brooklyn drill’s early development. The collective approach helped build a local network and fanbase before social media made viral breakouts possible.
Those early years were marked by grinding obscurity — releasing mixtapes and loosies that circulated within Brooklyn’s rap underground without breaking into the mainstream. Fivio worked odd jobs and stayed close to his community while continuing to develop his craft, building toward the moment that would change everything.
Career Timeline
2019: “Big Drip” and the Breakthrough
After nearly eight years of grinding, Fivio Foreign’s breakout moment arrived in 2019 with “Big Drip,” a track built on a pounding UK drill-influenced beat that showcased his aggressive delivery and street-level authenticity. The song spread rapidly through social media, accumulating hundreds of millions of streams and introducing Brooklyn drill to mainstream audiences who had been consuming Chicago and UK drill but hadn’t yet encountered Brooklyn’s own distinct take on the genre.
The success of “Big Drip” led to collaborations with A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Lil Tjay, rapidly expanding Fivio’s reach beyond his immediate Brooklyn fanbase.
2020: Columbia Records, Pop Smoke, and Mainstream Recognition
The year 2020 was transformative for Fivio Foreign. He signed a major deal with Columbia Records, securing the major-label backing that would amplify his distribution and marketing reach. He also became one of the most prominent collaborators of the late Pop Smoke, appearing alongside him on tracks that became cornerstones of Brooklyn drill’s commercial moment.
Fivio appeared on Kanye West’s 2021 album Donda, a collaboration that exposed him to an entirely different audience demographic and signaled his crossover appeal beyond drill’s core fanbase.
2022–2026: Solo Albums and Continued Growth
Fivio Foreign released his debut studio album B.I.B.L.E. in 2022, a project that reflected the commercial and artistic progress he had made since “Big Drip.” While the album had a mixed commercial reception, it demonstrated his range and his ambition to create a lasting artistic statement rather than just chasing viral moments.
He has continued releasing music through 2026, maintaining his relevance in New York’s competitive rap landscape while diversifying his income streams through touring, merchandise, and brand partnerships.
Net Worth and Income Sources
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music Royalties & Streaming | $700K–$1.2M/year | Annual (personal) | “Big Drip” ongoing streams, Columbia deal royalties |
| Columbia Records Deal | $500K–$1.5M | One-time (personal) | Estimated signing advance |
| Touring & Live Shows | $500K–$900K/year | Annual (personal) | Festival appearances, headline NYC shows |
| Brand & Merchandise | $150K–$300K/year | Annual (personal) | Artist merchandise and brand deals |
| Estimated Net Worth | $4 Million (2026) | ||
Personal Life
Fivio Foreign has been public about some aspects of his personal life, including his children and relationships. He has several children and has spoken openly about the importance of fatherhood in interviews. Despite the pressures and lifestyle of a successful rap career, he has expressed a desire to be present for his family in ways that many celebrity fathers aren’t.
Like many Brooklyn artists, he has had encounters with the legal system that have at times complicated his career trajectory. He has spoken candidly in interviews about navigating those challenges while continuing to create music and build his business.
Net Worth History
In 2018, before “Big Drip,” Fivio Foreign’s net worth was negligible — he was an underground Brooklyn rapper with a local following but no mainstream income. The 2019 “Big Drip” breakthrough and subsequent Columbia deal pushed his estimated worth to approximately $1–1.5 million. By 2022, streaming royalties, touring, and his debut album had grown that to an estimated $2.5–3 million. As of 2026, continued streaming income, touring, and his Columbia relationship place his estimated net worth at approximately $4 million.
Little-Known Facts About Fivio Foreign
- He spent nearly 8 years as an unsigned artist before “Big Drip” changed his trajectory in 2019.
- Fivio Foreign formed the “800 Foreign Side” collective in 2013, long before Brooklyn drill became a mainstream phenomenon.
- His collaboration with Kanye West on Donda exposed him to an audience that had never previously engaged with Brooklyn drill.
- He has expressed admiration for the late Pop Smoke and considers their creative partnership one of the most important of his career.
- “Big Drip” accumulated hundreds of millions of streams globally, far outperforming typical expectations for a debut breakthrough single.
