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
Illest Bitch
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn up that music
I got to fight this
I want to fight the music on this one
I was gonna write you a poem today
But I was like, fuck it
I was feelin' myself, you know?
Illest bitch alive, illest bitch alive!
Yeah, that my sista and I'm so proud how she hold it down
Illest bitch alive, realest bitch around
Pray you rich in confidence, now I'm paying you mind
Look, the illest bitch alive, reallest bitch alive
Yeah, one time for the
One time for the illest bitch alive, illest bitch alive
[Verse 1: Wale]
Working out 9 to 5 keeping them babies fly
Know the time, know what it's like
No one notice your plight
No one notice your struggle
No one know what it's like
How you hold in emotion
9 months while holding in life
Man, straight and no fucking
Women's pain got her stressin
I can't touch her, so for pleasure
I get special attention
Yeah this the illest bitch alive, I love her freaky side
And the deeper that mean she get the sweeter
Rise for her
[Hook]
[Verse 2: Wale]
Baby father bullshittin', you two don't even speak
Ain't seen his seed in 14 days, that nigga too weak
Couple shy of a month, I ain't running you up
When it be too loose or you be too late
We ain't tying no knot
And I know it's double standards when you're fucking with us
But I pray these everlasting groupies don't fuck up this love
New Louboutins when she dressin', Louboutin
Please correct me, stretch marks
Make her self conscious, I kiss her where we're sexing
Yes, it's the illest bitch around, flawless and brown
Smoking loud, blowing down when the law ain't around
When it comes to underwater I get nautical shawtie
Yeah, you leavin' alone but came here with multiple shawtie
[Hook]
[Outro - Read as poetry]
And I promised myself I wouldn't tell you this shit today
But, tomorrow's uncertainty promotes the urgency in this shit I'mma say
Perfection doesn't exist if it doesn't consume her and the truth hurts
And this world's mine, but the womb is hers
Ms. Mother Nature I pray that our daughters carry and favor your genes
And when you take off your jeans you get all the me that you need
That you allow me to work it 'til you know what your actual worth means
And for what it's worth, I hope a couple words could help you see...
Illest bitch alive
In Wale's song "Illest Bitch," he shows his admiration and respect for a woman who is going through difficult times. The song starts with Wale expressing his desire to fight through the music, and how he feels about himself. The hook of the song emphasizes that the woman Wale is talking about is the illest and realest bitch alive. In the first verse, Wale acknowledges the struggles that women go through and the efforts they put in to work out, take care of their babies, and hold their emotions. He mentions the physical and emotional pain they go through while bringing a new life into the world. Still, they hold themselves together and keep pushing forward.
In the second verse, Wale talks about a woman who is facing difficulties in her relationship with her baby father. She's doing everything she can to take care of her child and herself while dealing with these issues, yet she still manages to look flawless. Wale pays attention to her beauty and struggles, treating her with love and respect. In the outro, Wale expresses his beliefs in a better, more just world where women aren't judged for their stretch marks and are appreciated for their worth. He hopes for a future where women's children carry their genes in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn up that music
Let's get hyped up and ready to listen.
I got to fight this
I need to channel my emotions into this music.
I want to fight the music on this one
I want the music to convey my emotions and drive my message.
I was gonna write you a poem today
I initially planned to express my feelings through a poem, but changed my mind.
But I was like, fuck it
I decided to embrace my own confidence and showcase myself without hesitation.
Illest bitch alive, illest bitch alive!
This woman is the most impressive and amazing person around!
Yeah, that my sista and I'm so proud how she hold it down
She's my sister and I admire how she manages to keep going despite adversity.
Pray you rich in confidence, now I'm paying you mind
I hope that you feel confident and valued, and I want to show you that you are.
Working out 9 to 5 keeping them babies fly
She's working hard every day to provide for her children and make sure they're taken care of.
No one notice your plight
She's going through all of this without anyone really recognizing or appreciating her efforts.
No one notice your struggle
She's struggling silently and not getting the recognition she deserves.
Man, straight and no fucking
It's not appropriate for me to engage and have sex with her.
Yeah this the illest bitch alive, I love her freaky side
She's the most amazing person and I appreciate all facets of her personality, including her wild side.
And I know it's double standards when you're fucking with us
I realize there is a double standard when it comes to gender and sex, but I still admire and respect her.
Smoking loud, blowing down when the law ain't around
She's bold and unafraid to enjoy herself even in the face of potential consequences or judgment.
When it comes to underwater I get nautical shawtie
I'm comfortable and confident in any situation, even underwater.
Ms. Mother Nature I pray that our daughters carry and favor your genes
I hope our daughters inherit the strength and beauty of nature.
And for what it's worth, I hope a couple words could help you see...
I hope that my words can inspire and uplift you in some way.
Illest bitch alive
She truly is the most impressive and amazing person I know.
Contributed by Evan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sharita Marion
When you gotta play this for yourself to Uplift Yourself.............. Powerful Words
Mari P
Yes queen, because let the other โrapppersโ tell itโฆ.you know the rest
Ashley Smith
Period
Wajeehah Rasheed
๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฉ
Gizman Yusuf Wogu
Doing that right now
B Davis
Everyday I listen to this to remind myself of my qualities...cuz ppl will try to put u down.
Tatiana Williams
B Davis wow u comment brought tears to my eyes.. same here
Keydysha Staton
This is why my king sent me this yesterday... So I'll always know who I am no matter what ppl may say... S/O to my ture KING ๐๐
The.Lionest Den
B Davis yes
Cuddley Bear
Right me too