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
Fish N Grits
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Folarin the genius, Scott the king
Mm, look
Yeah, Cartier, what your wrist doing?
In the Ace with my nigga whip
Real nigga in that Will & Rich
I ain't stopping 'til a nigga fifty mil'
I ain't tripping 'til I'm five hundred mil'
Funny, weighing on the money
But I'm buying ice to let all of these niggas chill
Never ever gotta write a will
Niggas won't beat me like Emmett Till
Niggas won't bite me like Holyfield
(Might run it back on you, I'm in the field)
Hey, that money be coming in, look
Money be coming in, look
I just left the Rodeo
Then she riding my jawn again
She ridin' my jawn again, got up on again
And bone her, bone her, bone her, bone her
You know I'ma stoner, stoner, stoner, stoner
You know I'ma loner, loner, loner, loner
Smokin' that dope, only Cali could do it
Doing my shows, all the bitches gon' bump us
Show off my car, there's living with no limit
I could buy a house and a Benz in the morning
This is important
Never seen a night like this
Won't you take a drag, another hit?
Whippin' up a pot, fish grits
Never seen a night like this
Never seen a night like this
Won't you take a drag, another hit?
Whippin' up the pot, fish grits
Never had a night like this
Never seen nothing like this
Yeah, don't make me hit the button, hit the nitrous
Yeah, bang her right soon as the light hit
Yeah, I tend to see the moon soon as the day flip
Yeah, auto-auto-automatic
Swerving, switching through traffic
Every time I call your phone
I'm picking up, hearing static
Lobby looking like magic
Living room on stadium
She ain't too far from the DMV
From the DMV, I am the greatest one
I'm not a killer, boy, don't make me one
I'ma chill, I got a baby comin'
My partner said it's gon' be tougher for you
You ain't suck a pussy, all fakers down
Real G nigga, elementary, nigga
Douja rolled in a Swisher
Bun B, Pimp C, nigga
Bun B, Pimp C, nigga
Bun B, Pimp C, nigga
Had to change the line a nigga wrote because America just hate to see niggas winning
Never seen a night like this
Won't you take a drag, another hit?
Whippin' up the pot, fish grits
Never seen a night like this, yeah
Never seen a night like this
Won't you take a drag, another hit?
Whippin' up the pot, fish grits
Never had a night like this
In Wale's song "Fish N Grits," the rapper talks about his success and wealth, boasting about his dreams to make millions and making sure his money is right. In the beginning, he references his flow after Travis Scott's album "Rodeo" and refers to himself as a genius, and Scott as the king. Wale also mentions his brand-new Cartier watch, driving in a luxury car with his friend, and the assets he wants to attain in the future. He makes a statement that he won't stop until he reaches five hundred million dollars. Wale's confidence is obvious in his lyrics, as he claims that he never has to write a will and that no one can defeat him, like Emmett Till or Holyfield. He also mentions he is a stoner and loner, and how he buys expensive jewelry to make other people envious.
The chorus of the song talks about never seeing a night like this before, and how he wants to take a hit of his weed while also staying focused on his career goals. Wale also speaks about cooking fish and grits, a traditional Southern meal, indicating that he knows how to cook, whereas most rappers only talk about eating out in expensive restaurants. He then mentions his ability to buy anything he wants and living limitlessly, and how he appears to be untouchable to others. Bun B and Pimp C are also mentioned, reflecting Wale's influences in rap music, and how he wants to carry on their legacy. At the end of the song, he reiterates that he is not a killer but warns others not to make that happen. Lastly, Wale reflects on the obstacles and racism he has faced in his life, and how he had to change his lyrics because of it.
Line by Line Meaning
That post Rodeo flow, you know
Starting the song, acknowledging the style and influence of Travis Scott's music
Yeah, Cartier, what your wrist doing?
Asking about the jewelry of the person he's addressing in the Ace Hotel where he's hanging out with his crew
In the Ace with my nigga whip
Chilling out in the Ace Hotel with his friend's car
Real nigga in that Will & Rich
Referencing the brand Will & Rich that specializes in men's underwear, implying that they appreciate real men
I ain't stopping 'til a nigga fifty mil'
Expressing his ambition to make a lot of money and reach 50 million dollars
I ain't tripping 'til a nigga hundred mil'
Indicating that he won't be stressing about money until he reaches 100 million dollars
I ain't tripping 'til I'm five hundred mil'
Extending his goal to 500 million dollars before worrying about money
Funny, weighing on the money
Realizing the irony of focusing too much on money and not enjoying the moment
But I'm buying ice to let all of these niggas chill
Spending money on expensive jewelry to impress others and make them relax
Never ever gotta write a will
Expressing confidence in his own longevity and the lack of need for him to write a will
Niggas won't beat me like Emmett Till
Referencing the lynching of Emmett Till and the determination to not let anyone take him down
Niggas won't bite me like Holyfield
Referring to boxer Evander Holyfield and how no one can bring him down or imitate him
(Might run it back on you, I'm in the field)
Asserting his dominance and willingness to take on anyone with a sports metaphor
Hey, that money be coming in, look
Reiterating the importance of making money in his life
Money be coming in, look
Continuing to emphasize the importance of making money
I just left the Rodeo
Referencing the Houston Rodeo, one of the largest rodeos in the world
Then she riding my jawn again
Referring to having sexual relations with a woman he has already had sex with
She ridin' my jawn again, got up on again
Continuing to express sexual encounters with this woman
And bone her, bone her, bone her, bone her
Crassly reiterating that he will be having sex with this woman again
You know I'ma stoner, stoner, stoner, stoner
Admitting that he enjoys smoking marijuana
You know I'ma loner, loner, loner, loner
Acknowledging that he often spends time alone
Smokin' that dope, only Cali could do it
Celebrating the quality of marijuana that can only be found in California
Doing my shows, all the bitches gon' bump us
Expecting that his music will have a strong impact on his audience
Show off my car, there's living with no limit
Boasting about how he lives life without any restrictions
I could buy a house and a Benz in the morning
Expressing confidence in his ability to make large purchases easily
Never seen a night like this
Referring to the unique experiences he's having
Won't you take a drag, another hit?
Asking someone to join him in smoking marijuana
Whippin' up a pot, fish grits
Cooking a popular Southern dish, fish and grits
Yeah, don't make me hit the button, hit the nitrous
Threatening someone to not push him too far, with an automotive metaphor
Yeah, bang her right soon as the light hit
Implying an intent to have sex with someone immediately
Yeah, I tend to see the moon soon as the day flip
Assuming that he's up so late that he sees the moon when the day changes to night
Yeah, auto-auto-automatic
Using repetitive lyrics as a rhythm
Swerving, switching through traffic
Describing his driving style
Every time I call your phone
Addressing someone directly
I'm picking up, hearing static
Noticing that their communication is not clear
Lobby looking like magic
Describing an opulent setting
Living room on stadium
Elevating his living space to a level akin to a stadium
She ain't too far from the DMV
Indicating that a woman he's interested in is not too distant from Washington DC, where he comes from
From the DMV, I am the greatest one
Referring to himself as the best and reflecting pride for his hometown
I'm not a killer, boy, don't make me one
Opposing violence and warning others not to test him
I'ma chill, I got a baby comin'
Recognizing the need to be calm and focused because of his upcoming fatherhood
My partner said it's gon' be tougher for you
Recounting advice from a friend on the difficulties he'll face in his future
You ain't suck a pussy, all fakers down
Calling out people who are not genuine or authentic
Real G nigga, elementary, nigga
Asserting his status as a true gangster and contrasting it with primary school
Douja rolled in a Swisher
Referring to rolling a marijuana cigarette in a Swisher Sweet brand of cigar, which is commonly used for this purpose
Bun B, Pimp C, nigga
Giving a shoutout to Texas rappers Bun B and Pimp C, who were known for their classic Southern hip-hop style
Had to change the line a nigga wrote because America just hate to see niggas winning
Reflecting on how he had to change a line in his song because of the societal resistance to Black excellence
Never seen a night like this
Repeating the chorus to express the novelty of the experience
Won't you take a drag, another hit?
Repeating the request to smoke marijuana with someone
Whippin' up the pot, fish grits
Reiterating the mention of cooking the Southern dish of fish and grits
Never had a night like this
Finishing the song with a variation on the theme that this is a unique experience for him
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jacques Webster, Mario Lionel Loving, Nesbitt Mayabi Wesonga Jr., Olubowale Victor Akintimehin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@opkarb
og travis scott fans know this song for a long time now.
@abdellinator
Itz_Corrupt_ fuck yeah been listenin to this for months
@youngyahye4765
tru
@BRY__BRY
Itz_Corrupt_ yup. I like the original leak better without the autotune on travis.
@rodericksuccessbluesuccess6946
The bestseller of all time
@ezanareez
Right
@mondlitikwane-he1eh
Song was so ahead of it's time 😭🤝🏼
@henryfrfr
Just finding this today bruh… beat especially hard
@illfayze
(feat. Travis Scott) = guaranteed 🔥🔥🔥
@seanminteer6435
Still that way to this day bruh