Wale was born to Nigerian immigrant parents in Washington, DC. He grew up on Peabody Street in Northwest DC and moved to Largo, Maryland as a teenager. He attended seven different high schools in Washington, D.C. and Maryland, finally graduating from Quince Orchard High School in 2001. He went to Robert Morris College and Virginia State University on football scholarships, and then Bowie State University but dropped out in 2004 to pursue music full-time. Before music started paying the bills, Wale worked day jobs at Sprint, Up Against The Wall and Downtown Locker Room.
Wale emerged onto the local DC hip hop scene with the help of WKYS-FM's DJ Alizay. Wale began getting radio play in 2004 with a single called "Rhyme of the Century" which got Wale in the June 2005 "Unsigned Hype" section of Source magazine and his buzz started growing.
In November 2006, a feature ran on AllHipHop.com's Breeding Ground about Wale. The day before Thanksgiving, Wale took the stage between Lil Wayne and T.I. during the Southern Invasion tour at the Verizon Center.
In early December 2006, Wale won the award for "D.C. Metro Breakthrough Artist of the Year" at WKYS' Go-Go Awards. On December 15, The Fader magazine associate editor Nick "Catchdubs" Barat visited Wale for an interview and photo shoot which appeared in the March 2007 issue of The Fader.
Wale has an upcoming promotional campaign with Remy Martin and XXL Magazine. He has also been linked to boutique streetwear brands The Hundreds, 10 Deep and Good Bully, as well as lifestyle brands Stussy and LRG.
In January 2007, Wale released a new single to radio called "Good Girls." Daniel Weisman gave the song to Mark Ronson and on February 23, 2007, Ronson began playing the song on his East Village Radio show. A week later, at Ronson's studio, Wale recorded a freestyle for Ronson and in exchange, Ronson put Wale on an unreleased remix of Lily Allen's "Smile" which appeared on a number of music blogs around the world on March 13th, 2007. In April of 2007, Ronson asked Wale to join him on a UK tour to promote the release of his newest album. In June of 2007, Wale signed to a production deal with Ronson's Allido Records.
On June 24, 2007, Wale's "Ice Cream Girl" with TCB, was featured on the show Entourage, on HBO.
Wale performed "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.", from his 100 Miles mixtape, at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas, NV.
Wale was also featured in the October 2007 issues of XXL and Rolling Stone. The Washington Post profiled Wale on the front page of the Sunday Style section in the October 21st, 2007 edition. Wale is featured on the cover of URB Magazine's 150th issue along with French electro group, Justice.
iTunes released "Nike Boots" as a free download on November 13th, 2007 as its "Single of the Week." On Christmas Day 2007, Wale debuted the "Nike Boots Remix" featuring Lil Wayne and Green Lantern on his myspace page. Wale and Lil Wayne played a Nike Boots event called DC Stand Up at Ibiza Nightclub in DC on January 15, 2008 which was sponsored by Nike and Footaction.
In the November 30th, 2007 issue of Entertainment Weekly, Wale is featured as one of 8 people to watch in 2008 along with actors Simon Pegg and Rachel McAdams.
On March 12, 2008, Wale announced on 93.9 WKYS that he had signed with Interscope.
On April 29, 2008, the new Roots album entitled Rising Down was released, featuring Wale on the final track. Wale's relationship with the Roots began when Black Thought heard a song recorded as a tribute to himself on Wale's 2007 mixtape 100 Miles & Running and contacted Wale.
In the June issue of the German Hip-Hop magazine JUICE Wale announced that his upcoming debut-album will feature production credits from Mark Ronson, Kanye West, Just Blaze, 9th Wonder and the French electronic music duo Justice.
http://www.myspace.com/wale202
Barry Sanders
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need your admiration for infinity
Not that this ain't lucrative, but I just need your energy
I got the passion to please, I will not gasp or fatigue
And the way I'm ballin, gimme a Grammy or Danny ob
Standing ov, let these bitches follow me
And I just give them D, give them D like they is out the league
Hasheem Thabeet and various other peoples
Newest of sneakers, you consuming the bleachers
Blewin' some reefer in my zone like a 2-3 defense
Double-M G up, we up, y'all just relax
All my females show bust, Curtis Enis
Nittany Lion, my Penn State it, niggas recite it
I'm Michael Jordan major, you niggas Harold Miner
Pussy be all on me, we too young for romancin'
My niggas never block, I think I'm Barry Sanders
[Verse 2 - Wale]
Vic Page never made it, Len Bias never made it
See God gave us the talent, but the devil make us famous
My effort is contagious, so check this boa shit
With this recording I'm as sick as Jordan before Game 6
Jazz talkin and I bet I pick and roll with your bitch
You got some paper for me? Hit me on the Hornacek
Walter Payton Mercedez, sweetness in every ride
Hold on my pupils slowing, I don't got no lazy eye
[?] Pockets about as thick as strippers on poles
Zone blocking with these bitches, I'm just picking a hole
Pardon that jargon but since I'm balling they getting salty
They all catching feelings, I should Biletnikoff 'em
Them niggas talking, they like man he official
Man, you Olowokandi I'm just being Pacific
I'm just bein' prolific, right now don't need no Mrs
I got a rack of Trojans, knowing my Lane Kiffin
I'm tryin' pimp em I'm trying to be that cool
All them bitches Converse with me off that React Juice
Now Jordan iii my shoe, Double M G my crew
When you do it big as Manute you make it seem minute
Ricky Moore Flightposite, Mike Bibby blue Foams
Interscope feeling like Charlotte
When they traded Kobe you know?
But I let it go, Rozay finna re-up
He got himself a Kobe and they stuck with Vlade Divac
And [?]
Shallow bitches go Hail Mary when I throw that D-Route
Ha, now keep out, me and my whole team out
In Wale's song "Barry Sanders," the rapper explores the pressures of success and the journey to achieve greatness. He begins the song by expressing his need for admiration and energy from his fans, indicating that monetary success alone is not enough to fuel his motivation. He boasts of his work ethic, claiming to have the passion to please and go the distance without tiring. Wale acknowledges his critics, who come with the territory of being great, just as the legendary football player Barry Sanders faced scrutiny throughout his career.
In the second verse, Wale makes use of various sports references to highlight his own achievements in the rap game. He alludes to basketball player Michael Jordan and receiver Fred Biletnikoff while comparing himself to young and promising athletes who never reached their full potential. In contrast, Wale claims to be "prolific" and at the top of his game with "Double-M G my crew." He also nods to Lane Kiffin, a former head coach in college football known for his aggressive recruiting strategy. Wale talks about trying to emulate that same swagger and cool factor in his own relationships and claiming to have a significant stash of condoms.
Overall, Wale's lyrics in "Barry Sanders" reflects on his personal journey to greatness in the music industry and the pressure that comes with being at the top.
Line by Line Meaning
I need your admiration for infinity
I require endless appreciation
Not that this ain't lucrative, but I just need your energy
While this is financially beneficial, I crave your attention
I got the passion to please, I will not gasp or fatigue
I am committed to satisfying my fans without faltering
And the way I'm ballin, gimme a Grammy or Danny ob
My exceptional talent deserves recognition and awards
Standing ov, let these bitches follow me
I command a standing ovation and have many followers
And I just give them D, give them D like they is out the league
I provide them with a sexual organ like they are no longer professional athletes
Hasheem Thabeet and various other peoples
I compare my sexual behavior with different individuals
The pressures of greatness always comes with critiquing
Achieving greatness attracts scrutiny and criticism
Newest of sneakers, you consuming the bleachers
I am wearing the freshest and newest sneakers, captivating your attention in the bleachers
Blewin' some reefer in my zone like a 2-3 defense
I am smoking marijuana in my exclusive area, unconcerned like a basketball defensive pattern
Double-M G up, we up, y'all just relax
My record label is thriving and we are ahead, while others should calm down
All my females show bust, Curtis Enis
All of the attractive women I am around have substantial curves like retired football player Curtis Enis
Nittany Lion, my Penn State it, niggas recite it
I am proud of Penn State University and share its motto with my acquaintances
I'm Michael Jordan major, you niggas Harold Miner
I am at the supreme level of basketball success and you are inferior like a not-so-acclaimed basketball player Harold Miner
Pussy be all on me, we too young for romancin'
Women are frequently sexually attracted to me and a long-lasting relationship is not necessary at our current age
My niggas never block, I think I'm Barry Sanders
My friends never hold me back, allowing me to perform like football legend Barry Sanders
Vic Page never made it, Len Bias never made it
I acknowledge basketball players Vic Page and Len Bias who did not have the chance to succeed
See God gave us the talent, but the devil make us famous
God provides our skills, but the devil promotes our fame
My effort is contagious, so check this boa shit
My persistent, hardworking nature is infectious, so listen to my music
With this recording I'm as sick as Jordan before Game 6
I recorded this music with an illness in the same way legendary basketball player Michael Jordan played before game 6 of a critical playoff game
Jazz talkin and I bet I pick and roll with your bitch
My competitors are discussing their plans, but I confidently anticipate securing your girlfriend's favor
You got some paper for me? Hit me on the Hornacek
If you have money for me, contact me like a basketball play by Jeff Hornacek
Walter Payton Mercedez, sweetness in every ride
I have a luxurious and elegant Mercedes with the adjectives relating to football player Walter Payton
Hold on my pupils slowing, I don't got no lazy eye
Hold on, my eyes are relaxing, not appearing as abnormal like a lazy eye
[?] Pockets about as thick as strippers on poles
My pockets are heavily filled with cash similar to the earnings of a pole dancer
Zone blocking with these bitches, I'm just picking a hole
I am strategically choosing women like how football players select their paths with zone-blocking
Pardon that jargon but since I'm balling they getting salty
Excuse my language, but since I am succeeding, enviers are becoming angry
They all catching feelings, I should Biletnikoff 'em
They are developing emotional connections, and I need to catch them like winning the Biletnikoff Award in football
Them niggas talking, they like man he official
They are talking about me, acknowledging my credibility
Man, you Olowokandi I'm just being Pacific
I am superior while you are inferior like professional basketball player Michael Olowokandi, and I am simply stating the region I am from
I'm just bein' prolific, right now don't need no Mrs
I am simply writing and creating music, and I do not need a significant other right now
I got a rack of Trojans, knowing my Lane Kiffin
I have plenty of condoms, utilizing football coach Lane Kiffin's last name in innuendo
I'm tryin' pimp em I'm trying to be that cool
I am attempting to impress and control them like a pimp, aiming to be the epitome of being cool
All them bitches Converse with me off that React Juice
All of the attractive women are flirting with me under the influence of a specific drink, and we are all wearing Converse shoes
Now Jordan iii my shoe, Double M G my crew
My clothing includes popular sneakers and my record label members are in my presence
When you do it big as Manute you make it seem minute
Once you accomplish tasks at an enormous level like basketball player Manute Bol, they seem small in comparison
Ricky Moore Flightposite, Mike Bibby blue Foams
I name specific shoe models, such as those worn by basketball players Ricky Moore and Mike Bibby
Interscope feeling like Charlotte, When they traded Kobe you know?
My record label, similar to the NBA team Charlotte, traded me away just like basketball player Kobe Bryant was previously traded
But I let it go, Rozay finna re-up
But I am over the bitter feelings now because record label founder Rick Ross is about to revamp it
He got himself a Kobe and they stuck with Vlade Divac
Rick Ross has a pivotal player like Kobe Bryant while the record label is not so lucky, comparing them to basketball player Vlade Divac
And [?]
Unintelligible line omitted.
Shallow bitches go Hail Mary when I throw that D-Route
Superficial women aggressively pursue me when I hint at a sexual encounter
Ha, now keep out, me and my whole team out
Now maintain a distance, my team and I will be elsewhere
Contributed by William J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Slashman007
Wale is super underappreciated. This man used Fred Biletnikoff, Olowokandi, and Vlade Divac in one verse along with countless other clever sports references. Not every song needs clever wordplay, and some artists get by on just their delivery alone. But its sad " Wah, Wah, Wah, bitch I'm lil baby" is more talked about than these kinda songs lol.
J
Man who cares why u comparing rappers, just listen to what u want. Don't listen to shit u don't like. Simple.
Kool Ganja
This only has 1.2M views I honestly can’t understand it..
Michael Taylor
This song is the epitome of talent..
Aldane Thomas
“God gave us the talent, but the devil makes us famous” 🔥 🔥 🔥
andrew turay
Bro seel is body
Don Of Dallas
2020 and this record still hits hard af
plusone.network
+1
Ryan Sculthorpe
Bangers never die
Mauri Martinez
2022