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
Beverly Blvd
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My baby
I do the shit that they never done
I see the shit they can never see
Honestly, I'm really one-of-one
Honestly, I got no company (hol' on), let it breathe
Mm, let it be (just let it be)
I see the shit they can never see (never see)
Honestly, I'm really one-of-one
Honestly, I got no company (hol' on), let it be
Let it be, mm
Look
Uppin' the vibes, we uppin' the stakes
You know how we casually do it (baow)
I'm gentleman, baby, but you gotta leave, it's not a resort
I be whippin' through Beverly (dash)
On the dolo, my neighbors be scared of me (scared of me)
On the cool, got six hundred-fifty reasons and a chauffeur, to show my celebrity (skrr)
Bands talk, neck chilly though
Y'all niggas scammin' and still be broke
Y'all niggas bammers but I ain't hatin'
I say it to their face and that's in the song (yeah, broke ass)
Look out there, y'all can see my influence
Footlocker deal, me and Kaz just do it, look
Maybach, I scoop 'em (scoop 'em)
Laid back, we coolin' (cool)
If that's trash, we still chill but you catch feelings, catch Uber (bye-bye)
Catch attitude, catch left (gone)
Catch attitude then call Frank
Catch attitude, she don't get it (no)
'Til she leave them childs in the scooter
I do the shit that they never done
I see the shit they can never see
Honestly, I'm really one-of-one
Honestly, I got no company
It's Beverly
Yeah, that's how it be
Let that bitch breathe, I say
You wanna sleep for days
You are not me, okay?
Niggas don't pay attention, so they payin' notes, bills
I tell 'em, "Please, don't stay"
Look, I'm on Rodeo, just seem weird at Balenciaga, yeah
I see the big picture, Will Smith ain't chauffeured, haha
Look, new balances, I can call Jada, yeah
Ayy, new balances, we just countin' paper
I just be quiet, I'm out the way
I try to talk, they gon' tarnish my reputation
Up your fire, then shawty, you better shoot it
Choose violence, I gladly facilitate it
Tell me yourself then it's never done
I'm tellin' you niggas won't even see it
Honestly, I'm really one-of-one
Take a second, let me let it breathe
Let it leak, we gon' eat
Let it breathe
One, two, three
Promise we good wherever (yeah)
Promise we good forever (yeah)
Got DMV on my back like my learner's permit is expired and done up
What up? (What up?), hol' up (yeah, yeah)
Hol' up (yeah)
I'm in Sadiq, I bet your lil' queen wan' lay her lil' head on my pillow
Alex McQueen my scarf so (yeah)
I met up here on some art talk (yeah)
Don't even know what they talking 'bout
But shawty just told me to cop some
It's crazy 'cause I like Monopoly, made me a vibe a time ago
Back when he covered his jar though
Now it's cartoon cross a condo
Nah, nah, y'all was talkin' crazy, I remember friends pickin' sides though
Ha, ha, I just left the game on a private plan, Richie Porter
More scale, they just more love, okay, blah, blah, heard it all though
It's all good 'cause it's all a game
Y'all do your thing, I'm just more clutch
I do the shit that they never done
My vision is somethin' that they never seen
Honestly, I'm really one-of-one
I promise you, look
Hey, I promise you
Promise you, they cannot fuck with me
KOB
Like ever
For the city though
Like ever
In "Beverly Blvd," Wale expresses his individuality and unique perspective on life. He boasts about doing things that others have never done and seeing things that others cannot see. He emphasizes that he is truly one-of-a-kind and has no need for the company of others. The repetition of the phrase "let it be" throughout the song suggests a sense of freedom and acceptance of his true self.
Wale mentions driving through Beverly on his own, creating a sense of independence and fearlessness. Despite the fear he might invoke in his neighbors, he enjoys the luxuries of his celebrity status, such as having a chauffeur and numerous reasons to celebrate. He takes shots at those who try to scam or deceive others, openly criticizing them both in his songs and to their faces. He acknowledges his influence and success through partnerships with brands like Footlocker and his Maybach lifestyle.
The song also touches on Wale's experiences with relationships. He references catching attitudes and leaving those who fail to understand him behind. He mentions leaving behind "childs in the scooter," possibly referring to immaturity and inability to understand his perspective. Wale also addresses the pressure on his reputation and the need to defend himself when he tries to speak up.
Overall, "Beverly Blvd" showcases Wale's confidence, unique perspective, and ability to assert himself both in his personal life and within the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby
Referring to someone dear to the singer
I do the shit that they never done
I accomplish things that others haven't achieved
I see the shit they can never see
I perceive things that are beyond their understanding
Honestly, I'm really one-of-one
Honestly, I'm a unique individual
Honestly, I got no company (hol' on), let it breathe
Honestly, I don't need anyone else around, give it some space
Mm, let it be (just let it be)
Just let things happen naturally
Look
Listen closely
Uppin' the vibes, we uppin' the stakes
Increasing positive energy and taking risks
You know how we casually do it (baow)
You're aware of our smooth and effortless style
I'm gentleman, baby, but you gotta leave, it's not a resort
I may be a polite person, but this is not a vacation destination for you
I be whippin' through Beverly (dash)
I navigate quickly through the Beverly area
On the dolo, my neighbors be scared of me (scared of me)
On my own, my neighbors are intimidated by me
On the cool, got six hundred-fifty reasons and a chauffeur, to show my celebrity (skrr)
Secretly, I have 650 valid reasons and a driver to display my fame
Bands talk, neck chilly though
Money talks, despite feeling a chill in the air
Y'all niggas scammin' and still be broke
You guys are involved in fraudulent activities and yet you're still financially struggling
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Maneesh Bidaye, Mike Holmes, Olubowale Victor Akintimehin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tanner Lund
I’ve been a wale fan for so long and I’m so thankful he made this project. Reminding me why I fell in love with him.
Garth Yahudah Andrews
Same here
theD!fference TAB
#ThatPart
The Official Boitumelo
Right???
Entractive Group
Give this man his flowers already!!!!!
Steamed Hibiscus
💐
Damari Moland
He has them in his hand already lol
Steamed Hibiscus
Please!
Charles Nelson
This talented brotha keeps spitting bars after bars, making hits after hits...still underrated. Thank you for continuously fueling the culture #Folarin
Mary J Flanagan
All weekend, I've been running errands. Today, I noticed that they playing playing plenty of jams of his and those upon which he's featured. One of my students introduced me to him in late 2012. She jokingly mentioned using Bad for the theme song collage. I still love that song!