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
Heaven
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We never were supposed to have shit
Born to lose, built to win
Folarin
Let's get it in
We ain't supposed to never have nothing
We ain't supposed to never have shit
See my focus ain't on them
Nah, at the top is just us, right
Let's get it
PRPs or some dunks you ain't on
Givenchy, but no kilt, mi amor
We can't leave, for we love the allure
Hold mine down and stay above what you on
On, I'm appeased and obliged
Scorpio freaks quantity Gemini
I'mma need me a light
Ridin' through the cap, Cap STEEZ on the mind
I ain't know him but I wish I did
Each one, teach one, may the youth live
On that, Joey Bad please hold your head
Lost one last summer, livin' ain't fair
While them niggas scared, we forever here
Hate to see you smile, money everywhere
Dream killers out, I see them in the rear
Before I put them in a song, put them in a prayer, amen
We ain't supposed to never have shit
We ain't supposed to never have
We ain't supposed to never have nothing
We ain't supposed to never have shit
See the growth in my rhymes
See my focus ain't on them
Yeah, I'm focused, it's Folarin here
I reckon your barbershop talk of this
Heavenly father, may the spirit of God
Help whoever at odds get your guidance quick
All we need Keisha, all we need Becky
All we need is God, and fed free fetti
My little buddy look strong, young nigga peddle
He ain't make it in the leagues, so the streets wet him
Gettin' wet up on the corner in whatever weather
Before see the jail again, he gonna see the devil
Been a week since he seen his mother
And 18 since he seen the other
I'mma pray for him
It's safe to say, he got some pain within
It ain't too much that I can say to him
'Cause my bank statement don't relate to him
We ain't supposed to never have nothing
We ain't supposed to never have shit
We ain't supposed to never have nothin'
See my focus ain't on them
I was so fresh, so clean when I stepped on that scene
Pulled up Aston Martin, you could ask them ya'll seen
When I came through this bitch
Paper tagging on lean
Baddest bitch in the game
Nigga that was ya'll dream
Hold up, let me get a feel
Like Jack say hold up
I don't feel these niggas, nah
Hey Wallace
Yap, what's the problem? I'm focused
I'm Kobe, I kill these niggas
I ain't scared of these niggas
Getting higher than Shaquille O'Neal's field goal percentage
Yeah me nigga
Till the brokest nigga with got a mill plus interest
Meek keep living, get 'em
When I was dead broke used to always tell myself I'mma still be the shit
'Til my P.O she locked me up
I'mma do the time come home and still be this rich
Still see the bricks, I'mma still be a Mitch
Got these RICO shit tryna kill me and shit
Hol' up, tryna kill me and shit
Let me get the flow back, I was killing this shit
We was killing them strips, drop heads -- no ceilings and shit
Ain't talking 'bout Wayne, bitch I'm talking them things
300 and change got a million in whips, nigga
We ain't supposed to never have nothing
We ain't supposed to never have shit
We ain't supposed to never have nothing
See my focus ain't on them
Started from the bottom nigga
But now we grinding till the law come get us
For the money and them commas nigga
But can't forget about vagina nigga
Started from that bottom nigga
But now I got it it's a problem nigga
For that money and them dollars nigga
And I ain't rich but I'm still shining nigga
I'm still shining nigga
I'm still shining nigga
Shining nigga
We still shining nigga
Shining nigga
We still shining nigga
Shining nigga
Let me shine my nigga, church
The lyrics of Wale/Meek Mill's song "Heaven's Afternoon" talk about the struggles that they had to face while growing up and trying to make it big. They acknowledge that they were not supposed to be successful, and everything they achieved was through hard work and dedication. They also talk about how they had to focus on themselves and ignore the negativity around them.
The first verse of the song talks about how they were born to lose but built to win. They refused to be a part of the negativity and aimed to be successful. They also acknowledge that they were not supposed to have anything and that their success is unexpected. They want to make the most of it and "get it in."
The second verse talks about their focus being on their goals and not on what others think. They mention their expensive taste in clothes but make it clear that they are not going to leave behind what is truly important in life. They make a reference to a late rapper who they didn't know personally but wish they had. They also talk about how they pray for people who bring negative energy into their lives and hope that karma will take care of them.
Overall, the song talks about how they were not supposed to succeed but did so by working hard and staying focused on their goals. It's a message of hope for those who feel like they are not capable of achieving their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
In the grand scheme of things
Looking at the bigger picture
We never were supposed to have shit
We were not meant to succeed
Born to lose, built to win
Despite the odds, we are meant to win
Folarin
Wale's nickname
Let's get it in
Let's go and get started
We ain't supposed to never have nothing
We were never meant to have anything
We ain't supposed to never have shit
We were never meant to have anything
See the growth in my rhymes
My lyrics have evolved and improved over time
See my focus ain't on them
I am not preoccupied with other people's opinions
Nah, at the top is just us, right
We are the only ones that matter at the top
PRPs or some dunks you ain't on
I am wearing expensive shoes that you cannot afford
Givenchy, but no kilt, mi amor
I am wearing Givenchy clothing, but not a kilt
We can't leave, for we love the allure
We cannot leave the allure and excitement of our lifestyle
Hold mine down and stay above what you on
Support me and strive for success higher than yours
On, I'm appeased and obliged
I am content and willing to comply
Scorpio freaks quantity Gemini
Exploring sexual compatibility between different zodiac signs
I'mma need me a light
I need a lighter to light my smoke
Ridin' through the cap, Cap STEEZ on the mind
Driving through the capital with the late rapper Capital Steez on my mind
I ain't know him but I wish I did
I did not know Capital Steez personally but would have liked to
Each one, teach one, may the youth live
Educate and mentor the youth to live fulfilling lives
On that, Joey Bad please hold your head
Sending support to rapper Joey Badass
Lost one last summer, livin' ain't fair
Someone close passed away last summer, life is not always fair
While them niggas scared, we forever here
Others may be afraid, but we are always present and fearless
Hate to see you smile, money everywhere
Jealous of your success and wealth
Dream killers out, I see them in the rear
Those who try to bring us down are behind us
Before I put them in a song, put them in a prayer, amen
Pray for them before exposing them in a song
Yeah, I'm focused, it's Folarin here
I am focused, it's Wale here
I reckon your barbershop talk of this
I am aware of the gossip in the barber shop
Heavenly father, may the spirit of God
Asking for guidance from a higher power
Help whoever at odds get your guidance quick
Guide those who are struggling
All we need Keisha, all we need Becky
All we need are women named Keisha and Becky
All we need is God, and fed free fetti
All we need is God and money from illegal means
My little buddy look strong, young nigga peddle
My young friend appears strong and sells drugs
He ain't make it in the leagues, so the streets wet him
He did not succeed in legitimate work, so he turned to illegal activity
Gettin' wet up on the corner in whatever weather
Dealing drugs on the corner in any conditions, even bad weather
Before see the jail again, he gonna see the devil
He would rather face death than go back to jail
Been a week since he seen his mother
He has not seen his mother in a week
And 18 since he seen the other
He has not seen his other relative in 18 years
I'mma pray for him
I will pray for him
It's safe to say, he got some pain within
It is evident that he is in emotional pain
It ain't too much that I can say to him
I cannot say much to him to help
'Cause my bank statement don't relate to him
I cannot relate to his struggles with poverty
When I came through this bitch
When I entered the room
Paper tagging on lean
Burning rubber and smoking marijuana
Baddest bitch in the game
The most attractive woman in the music industry
Nigga that was ya'll dream
That was your dream, not mine
I don't feel these niggas, nah
I do not like or respect these people
Hey Wallace
Addressing someone named Wallace
Yap, what's the problem? I'm focused
Yes, what is the issue? I am focused
I'm Kobe, I kill these niggas
I am like Kobe Bryant, I defeat my opponents
I ain't scared of these niggas
I am not afraid of these people
Getting higher than Shaquille O'Neal's field goal percentage
Getting really high on drugs
Till the brokest nigga with got a mill plus interest
Making money until even the poorest person has a lot of money saved up
Meek keep living, get 'em
Meek Mill should continue living his life and succeeding
'Til my P.O she locked me up
Until my parole officer put me in jail
I'mma do the time come home and still be this rich
I will serve time in jail but still be wealthy when I am released
Still see the bricks, I'mma still be a Mitch
I will still sell drugs and be successful
Got these RICO shit tryna kill me and shit
The government is trying to take me down through the RICO act
Hol' up, tryna kill me and shit
Wait, they are really trying to take me down
Let me get the flow back, I was killing this shit
Let me get back into my rhythm because I was doing well
We was killing them strips, drop heads -- no ceilings and shit
We were succeeding in selling drugs and driving fast cars with no limits
Ain't talking 'bout Wayne, bitch I'm talking them things
I am not talking about Lil Wayne, I am referring to drugs and weapons
300 and change got a million in whips, nigga
I have over a million dollars worth of cars
Started from the bottom nigga
I started with nothing
But now we grinding till the law come get us
We are working hard until we get caught by the law
For the money and them commas nigga
We are working hard for money and success
But can't forget about vagina nigga
But we also need to indulge in women
And I ain't rich but I'm still shining nigga
I may not be extremely wealthy, but I still look good
We still shining nigga
We are still looking good and successful
Let me shine my nigga, church
Let me show off, amen
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HOD DAVID, GLORIA D. NISSENSON, OLUBOWALE VICTOR AKINTIMEHIN, RALPH VICTOR FOLARIN, SAMUEL JOSEPH DEW, LIONEL DEWITT GRAY, KEVIN SPENCER, ROBERT RIHMEEK WILLIAMS, STOKLEY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Olivia Byrd
Went back to 2013 real quick . Be back in 60 seconds. This the best Album Wale ever dropped 💯 and the best one he ever will .💯
Elias Kenyatta
Daaaamn.
This is a classic 🙌🙌
Show some love if you still feel it.
el alaoui moulay mehdi
Dope, listen to jay-z album magna carta
Resa Mackey
We wasn't suppose to have $hit but you inspire one to go after our dreams! God bless you Wale
Chris Riggs
One of the dopest tracks of this decade!
Marc Regal
Chris Riggs you didnt lie though
Josh Obrochta
Still on repeat
Rey Balderas
Facts
Prince P
Sounds about Facturate
alphonso norman
my favorite song off of a highly underrated album. #TheGifted