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
Black Grammys
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He would want us to smoke one for him
Double M, Self Made 3, let's go
Folarin in this ma'fucka
I'm just talking to you ma'fuckas
If I don't make you niggas proud
Then this should never be allowed
Misunderstood, just over heads
Just in your ears, although you deaf
Killing my fitteds with no intent, I grew 'em better
Like I'm under a goal post, I'm two official
Extra point nigga, I forever kick it
As far as lyrics I'm quite content with celibate living
Wittingly unfuckwittable with these syllables
And fuck your syllabi, lil nigga been to school
The realest dude in the room in my groove
And all my women come frequently as the summer's moon
Keep talking 'bout ambition shit
Brown women, brown liquor, I'm innocent
And all these bitches don't know which body part they gon' pick
Invite them to my mind but they end up on my dick
Reminiscing upon my man Slick
We from the jungle, the grimiest animal a pig
As-salamu alaykum though, try to hit the Jummah
Muhammed said you faking, though
Somebody said "you winning, why BOA pray so much?"
I said "you tripping, such winners make niggas pray on us"
Dreams fulfilling they ain't capable of
As I renovate a model but do raise up your cup
Tell them niggas we never giving up
And never lose us on this never ending revenue hunt
Folarin in this ma'fucka
Still talking to you ma'fuckas
If I don't make you niggas proud
Then this should never be allowed
Uh, I did it for my family
I'mma take my mama to the Grammy's
And shoutout everybody that ever said that I can't be
And show her everything that she taught done came in handy
Yeah, everything fine and dandy
Hurricane flow, dropped my album it was Sandy
On another level so they couldn't understand me
I guess I gotta take what I want like Meyer Lansky
Shore is 'bout to get back, put your feet up and sit back
Barely went gold but I got money just like I went plat
You get that? Look like I went diamond where my wrist at
I eat a nigga first four bars without a Kit Kat, pause
Let me get that, oh, how you get that far
Cause when I ran out of gas I had to push that car
And when I ran out of cash I had to push that hard
Like Chris Paul when he push that ball, you dig?
I ain't even used to look that far, you dig?
I learned to hustle when I took that loss, I did
18 when I took that charge
Time to retire old niggas like they did Brett Favre, you dig?
New flows and new hoes
Now I'm switching Ferrari's just like I do clothes
I run a business my nigga, I don't just do shows
I don't just rhyme nigga, all I know is grind nigga
I'm looking at the plan like this shit might work
But if it don't work then this shit might hurt
We made first and goal now we gotta convert
Gotta get a couple mill, then go for dessert
I'm tryna break the bank, I ain't breaking the news
That negative attention be the reason we lose
Instead of paying bills niggas wanna buy shoes
If it's money over bitches, is it that hard to choose?
Give these fuck niggas some fame
9 times out of 10 they wouldn't even sustain
You can tear they ass apart and let the pussy remain
Until the industry fuck 'em and then they no one again
I always been me, I was never ashamed
I understand that no man's path is the same
And when you not lying you're even harder to tame
If you ever tell the truth then you free in the game
Nigga don't be a statistic
How your main bitch sending me pictures?
Feeling futuristic might buy me a Fisker
Or a time machine to make the process quicker
I ain't with the waiting but I stay patient
I take work trips, I don't take vacations
I'm headed to the top where I stay stationed
Yeah nigga, I stay stationed
And I ain't with the drama, don't look back for that
The flow got more crack than the trap you at
I'm done with bitter bitches, it's a wrap for that
If your a angry bird, it's an app for that
I waited for a minute for this plan to hatch
And now I'm back with a brand new batch
Yeah, and it feel good when it go like that
I spend quick and make the dough right back
This verse never before rehearsed, it was wrote on site
To slit a nigga throat on sight
Took a whole lot of punches like the Cotto fight
Cole world, zip your coat up tight
I put your soul on nice
Illiterate, the boy don't write
Never met a beat that the flow don't like, it's cold
Young CO, L.E. call me Neo
And If I ain't the one I'm the prototype
Insane how I rhyme
All I do is brainstorm then I rain down lines
Shame y'all lying, me I'm the truth
Dog eat dog world nigga we on the loose
Niggas don't wanna hang, I'm the tree, I'm the noose
You lil pups couldn't pee on my roots
Touch the people, I could be a masseuse
Thoughts black, I should be in The Roots
While y'all foulin', me I just shoot
Fallon, Jimmy, nigga
Ask for it nice, now it's gimmie nigga
Once poor now it's plenty, nigga
Still want more, no Demi, nigga
Serve niggas quick like Denny's
Got penny's for my thoughts, now look what I done bought
Did the most with what I was taught
A Carolina nigga bound to be the greatest is a helluva start
It's Cole... World... nigga
The song "Black Grammys" by Wale, J. Cole, Meek Mill, and Rockie Fresh is a celebration of black excellence and success. The title plays off of the phrase "black history" and replaces it with a more contemporary and relatable term - the Grammy Awards. The artists boast about their hard work, dedication, and achievements, and acknowledge the struggles that come with being successful while black. Wale starts off the song talking about Michael Jackson, saying "If Michael Jackson was alive right now, he would want us to smoke one for him." This line is a nod to the King of Pop's love for marijuana and a mention of his passing. The rest of Wale's part talks about how he wants to make his audience proud, and how he's a misunderstood genius.
J. Cole's verse talks about his come-up and his aspirations. He's been in the game for a while but he's still pushing himself to be better. He talks about the negative attention that comes with fame, and how people are more interested in buying shoes than paying their bills. He's focused on success and making a name for himself, and he's willing to work hard to make it happen. Meek Mill's verse is about struggle and triumph. He talks about taking his mother to the Grammy Awards and thanking everyone who thought he couldn't make it. He's been through a lot of trials, including being incarcerated at 18 years old, but he's continued to push forward and become successful. Finally, Rockie Fresh raps about being confident, being true to himself, and not letting anyone bring him down. He's proud of where he comes from and what he's accomplished, and he's not afraid to speak his mind.
Overall, "Black Grammys" is a powerful song that celebrates black excellence and success. It's an anthem for those who have struggled and overcome, and it encourages listeners to be proud of their accomplishments.
Line by Line Meaning
If Michael Jackson was alive right now
In honor of Michael Jackson, we should smoke one for him
He would want us to smoke one for him
Michael Jackson would appreciate us honoring him by smoking
Double M, Self Made 3, let's go
Let's get hyped and excited for Double M and Self Made 3
Folarin in this ma'fucka
Wale is present in this place
I'm just talking to you ma'fuckas
I'm addressing all of you
If I don't make you niggas proud
If I don't succeed in making you all proud
Then this should never be allowed
Then I shouldn't be allowed to continue
Misunderstood, just over heads
People don't understand me, they miss my point
Just in your ears, although you deaf
My words are only reaching your ears, even if you can't truly hear them
Killing my fitteds with no intent, I grew 'em better
I'm destroying my hats without intention, but I've improved since then
Like I'm under a goal post, I'm two official
I'm making significant plays, as if I were a referee under the goal post
Extra point nigga, I forever kick it
I score extra points, and I'll always kick it
As far as lyrics I'm quite content with celibate living
I'm satisfied with my lyrics and don't need external validation
Wittingly unfuckwittable with these syllables
I'm clever and unbeatable with my wordplay
And fuck your syllabi, lil nigga been to school
I don't care about your syllabus, I've already been to school
The realest dude in the room in my groove
I'm the most authentic person in the room, feeling confident
And all my women come frequently as the summer's moon
I have many women in my life, they come and go like the phases of the moon
Keep talking 'bout ambition shit
Keep discussing the topic of ambition
Brown women, brown liquor, I'm innocent
I enjoy the company of brown women and drinking brown liquor, harmless fun
And all these bitches don't know which body part they gon' pick
These women are unsure which aspect of me they will be attracted to
Invite them to my mind but they end up on my dick
I engage them intellectually, but they end up only interested in sex
Reminiscing upon my man Slick
Thinking back about my friend Slick
We from the jungle, the grimiest animal a pig
We come from a tough environment, where even the police can be violent
As-salamu alaykum though, try to hit the Jummah
I greet you with peace, but I also try to attend Friday prayers
Muhammed said you faking, though
Muhammed claimed that you're being fake
Somebody said 'you winning, why BOA pray so much?'
Someone asked why I pray so much when I'm already successful
I said 'you tripping, such winners make niggas pray on us'
I responded that successful people face envy, leading others to pray against us
Dreams fulfilling they ain't capable of
I'm achieving dreams that others believed were impossible
As I renovate a model but do raise up your cup
I'm improving myself and my career, so let's celebrate
Tell them niggas we never giving up
Inform those individuals that we will never give up
And never lose us on this never ending revenue hunt
We will always be searching for ways to make money and succeed
Uh, I did it for my family
I achieved success for the sake of my family
I'mma take my mama to the Grammy's
I will bring my mother to the Grammy Awards
And shoutout everybody that ever said that I can't be
I acknowledge and give recognition to everyone who doubted my abilities
And show her everything that she taught done came in handy
I will demonstrate how all the lessons she taught me have been useful
Yeah, everything fine and dandy
Everything is going well and great
Hurricane flow, dropped my album it was Sandy
My flow is powerful like a hurricane, and my album made a big impact
On another level so they couldn't understand me
I'm on a higher level that others can't comprehend
I guess I gotta take what I want like Meyer Lansky
I have to be assertive and grab what I desire, similar to Meyer Lansky
Shore is 'bout to get back, put your feet up and sit back
The situation is about to improve, so relax and enjoy
Barely went gold but I got money just like I went plat
Even though my album only achieved a modest level of success, I still have a lot of money
You get that? Look like I went diamond where my wrist at
Do you understand? It seems like I achieved diamond certification with my expensive watch
I eat a nigga first four bars without a Kit Kat, pause
I devour and outperform other rappers right from the start, without taking a break
Let me get that, oh, how you get that far
Allow me to obtain that success, oh, how did you achieve such significant progress
Cause when I ran out of gas I had to push that car
When I faced obstacles, I had to keep pushing forward
And when I ran out of cash I had to push that hard
When I faced financial difficulties, I had to work even harder
Like Chris Paul when he push that ball, you dig?
Similar to Chris Paul's basketball skills, I push forward and succeed
I ain't even used to look that far, you dig?
I used to have limited ambitions, you understand?
I learned to hustle when I took that loss, I did
I started hustling and working hard after experiencing a significant defeat
18 when I took that charge
I faced a legal charge when I was only 18 years old
Time to retire old niggas like they did Brett Favre, you dig?
It's time for the older generation to retire, just like Brett Favre did, you understand?
New flows and new hoes
I have fresh and unique flows, and I attract new women
Now I'm switching Ferrari's just like I do clothes
I'm changing my luxury cars just as frequently as I change clothes
I run a business my nigga, I don't just do shows
I have my own business, I'm not just a performer
I don't just rhyme nigga, all I know is grind nigga
I don't just rap, my focus is on the hustle and hard work
I'm looking at the plan like this shit might work
I'm considering the plan and thinking that it could be successful
But if it don't work then this shit might hurt
But if it fails, it could be emotionally painful
We made first and goal now we gotta convert
We made it to first and goal, now we need to score
Gotta get a couple mill, then go for dessert
We need to earn a couple million, then we can relax and celebrate
I'm tryna break the bank, I ain't breaking the news
I'm trying to make a lot of money, not just deliver news
That negative attention be the reason we lose
The negative attention we receive is the cause of our losses
Instead of paying bills niggas wanna buy shoes
Instead of being responsible and paying bills, people prioritize buying shoes
If it's money over bitches, is it that hard to choose?
If you prioritize money over women, is it really that difficult to make the choice?
Give these fuck niggas some fame
Give these unimportant people some attention
9 times out of 10 they wouldn't even sustain
Most of the time, these individuals won't be able to sustain success
You can tear they ass apart and let the pussy remain
You can criticize and expose them, but they'll still be irrelevant
Until the industry fuck 'em and then they no one again
Until the industry rejects them, they will be nobody once more
I always been me, I was never ashamed
I have always been true to myself and never felt ashamed
I understand that no man's path is the same
I recognize that everyone's journey is unique
And when you not lying you're even harder to tame
When you tell the truth, it becomes even more challenging to control you
If you ever tell the truth then you free in the game
If you always speak the truth, you're liberated within the industry
Nigga don't be a statistic
Don't become a negative example or part of a statistic
How your main bitch sending me pictures?
Why is your girlfriend sending me pictures?
Feeling futuristic might buy me a Fisker
Feeling like I'm in the future, I might purchase a Fisker car
Or a time machine to make the process quicker
Alternatively, I could use a time machine to expedite the process
I ain't with the waiting but I stay patient
I don't like waiting, but I remain patient
I take work trips, I don't take vacations
I prioritize working and going on business trips over taking vacations
I'm headed to the top where I stay stationed
I'm on my way to the top and that's where I'll stay
And I ain't with the drama, don't look back for that
I don't entertain drama, don't anticipate it
The flow got more crack than the trap you at
My flow is more addictive than the drugs being sold in your neighborhood
I'm done with bitter bitches, it's a wrap for that
I'm finished with negative and angry women, it's over
If your a angry bird, it's an app for that
If you're always angry, there's an app to address that
I waited for a minute for this plan to hatch
I patiently waited for this plan to develop
And now I'm back with a brand new batch
And now I'm back with a fresh set of ideas
Yeah, and it feel good when it go like that
Yeah, it feels great when things go in my favor
I spend quick and make the dough right back
I spend money quickly, but I earn it right back
This verse never before rehearsed, it was wrote on site
I didn't rehearse this verse, I wrote it on the spot
To slit a nigga throat on sight
To inflict harm on someone without hesitation
Took a whole lot of punches like the Cotto fight
I endured many obstacles and setbacks, similar to the Cotto fight
Cole world, zip your coat up tight
Welcome to Cole's world, bundle up and prepare for an intense journey
I put your soul on nice
I impress you and impact you on a deep level
Illiterate, the boy don't write
Despite being illiterate, I still create impactful lyrics
Never met a beat that the flow don't like, it's cold
I can adapt my flow to any beat, even if it's challenging
Young CO, L.E. call me Neo
As a young commanding officer, call me Neo, like in 'The Matrix'
And If I ain't the one I'm the prototype
I'm either the best or the first of my kind
Insane how I rhyme
It's crazy how I rhyme
All I do is brainstorm then I rain down lines
I think creatively and then deliver powerful lines
Shame y'all lying, me I'm the truth
It's a shame that others are lying, but I always speak the truth
Dog eat dog world nigga we on the loose
It's a competitive world, and we're ready to take over
Niggas don't wanna hang, I'm the tree, I'm the noose
People don't want to be associated with me, because I can bring them down
You lil pups couldn't pee on my roots
You young and inexperienced individuals can't even compare to my legacy
Touch the people, I could be a masseuse
I connect with people on a deep level, I'm like a masseuse
Thoughts black, I should be in The Roots
My thoughts are deep and impactful, I should be part of The Roots
While y'all foulin', me I just shoot
While others are making mistakes and causing chaos, I remain focused and successful
Fallon, Jimmy, nigga
I'm on the same level as Fallon and Jimmy Fallon
Ask for it nice, now it's gimmie nigga
I politely asked for my success, and now it's coming to me
Once poor now it's plenty, nigga
I was once poor, but now I have an abundance of wealth
Still want more, no Demi, nigga
Despite having plenty, I still desire more, like Demi Moore
Serve niggas quick like Denny's
I quickly serve and surpass others, like the speed at a Denny's restaurant
Got penny's for my thoughts, now look what I done bought
I had humble thoughts, but now I can afford luxurious things
Did the most with what I was taught
I made the most out of the knowledge and lessons I received
A Carolina nigga bound to be the greatest is a helluva start
Being a talented person from Carolina is a great foundation to become the greatest
It's Cole... World... nigga
It's J. Cole's world, my friend
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY BARNES, DON DAVIS, DAVID L JORDAN, R WILLIAMS, E PRICE, OLUBOWALE AKINTIMEHIN, STACEY BARTHE, P. PULLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blackrikudoentertainment7689
It’s been over 8 years and I still won’t forget this song, but cole verse is stuck in my head indefinitely
@KadmielPlayList
"Like I'm under a goal post I am two officials. Extra point nigga, I forever kick it." Wale is a genius
@kensane3588
You want poetry - Wale
You want money -Meek
You want story - Rockie
You want truth - Cole
@3kenny853
+Kenneth Hammonds That's so spot on bro!!!!
@princekyng5890
+Kenneth Hammonds We all came here for the truth bro.. #coleworld
@3kenny853
Hell Yeah!!!!!!
They should replace rockie for Kendrick!!!!!! omg the song would have been on radio and charts!!!!!!!!!!!
@Josephkillem
meek got good ass stories and truth to though with some messages in them,Boys in the hood he just released is good af,traumatized and coldhearted are some deep song
@TheOne-bs9sn
They all kill this
@dboii9741
Almost a decade later and this track still hit my soul different🔥
@yungboifr5h
This feeling man. Wish hip hop would get back to this.