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
It's Complicated
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't ask me about my love life (Holla up)
It's complicated to find a lady in my generation
That's not preoccupied with social clout
We almost fazing out from the high we get from love and conversation
To go on IG galivanting for likes and shit
Oh, it's complicated
When Bonnie was shot up riding shotgun with him
But my problems is just and I gotta admit
I got someone who loves me so effortless
But, I'm so messed up from another chick I feel like such a bitch ass nigga
That my exes got the power with no effort to decline the next shawty I get
So, I'm guarded and shit
But, never mind that 'cause you're a goddess and shit
What I'm tryna say is I like you but it's complicated (it's complicated)
Yo, foundation on all my pillows, still your tender face is flawless when the sky kiss you
Should I bury you in compliments or buy gifts or
Just let you tell me bye and for that time I'll miss you, aye
My life is fairly complicated
You show too much of your heart I promise they confiscate it
I am young, black, and accomplished baby but
I'm not the type to bring home to mama
I'm ja crazy 'cause I'm broad crazy
Monogamy's kind of hard for me
When I start throwing them curves that's when they caught feelin''s
I got famous at a young age I'm spoiled
I get paid, don't go out so the club scene I'm bored of
I don't believe in unicorns nor pure love, but more so the latter
Seen Porzingis from courtside
I got missed calls from porn stars and church girls
You'd be surprised who get the wildest and squirt more
Let's be honest shawty
I got bitches you got niggas don't be modest shawty
Don't care about your IG pictures I don't follow anyway
'Cause, if I really like you I don't like your pictures, dig it? Aye
I believe that love is complicated at best
And that it's worst it's a permanent burning in your chest
I pray to earn that from somebody someday
But, somehow someway I no longer have a heart to invest, it's miles away
The smiles is fake and my job ain't real
Why would you think I'll find a woman who is?
I'm high today
Tomorrow I'm chill 'cause my job get real
What mature woman would put up with my shit?
I mean I'm damaged goods
I mean, I'm rather good at being just kind of good to women who deserve more from me
But, I see you as something more than a purring kitty
You hate my state of mind, somehow you think the world of me
It's complicated, aye
It's complicated
It's complicated
It's complicated
Just be honest shawty
I got bitches you got niggas don't be modest shawty
Don't care about your IG pictures I don't follow anyway
'Cause if I really like you I won't, fuck it
Block all them bitches, gone, 'cause it's complicated
The lyrics to Wale's song "It's Complicated" address his struggles with finding meaningful love and maintaining relationships in the modern era. He begins by expressing his frustration with the social media-driven culture of his generation, where people prioritize attention and likes over meaningful connection. He compares his desire for loyalty to the bond shared by Bonnie and Clyde, but acknowledges his own flaws and the power that his exes hold over him. Despite this, he admits his attraction to the woman he is addressing in the song, but also admits that his issues make things complicated.
Throughout the song, Wale explores the different factors that contribute to his complicated love life, including his fame and success, his lack of belief in pure love, and his damaged past. He acknowledges that he may not be good enough for the women he has been with, and questions whether he will ever find someone who truly understands him. Despite these challenges, Wale ultimately expresses a hopeful desire for true love and connection, and acknowledges the complexities that come with trying to find it in today's world.
Overall, Wale's "It's Complicated" is a thoughtful exploration of the challenges and complexities of modern love, infused with personal experiences and insights. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a hip hop artist grappling with both his own demons and the larger cultural trends that shape his generation's approach to relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
It's complicated to find a lady in my generation
It's difficult to find a woman in my age group who isn't obsessed with social status.
We almost fazing out from the high we get from love and conversation
We're losing touch with the joy and excitement of love and conversation in favor of seeking attention on social media.
To go on IG galivanting for likes and shit
We're spending too much time and energy seeking validation on Instagram.
I'm tryna say I need loyalty like Clyde Barrow was tryna get
I'm looking for someone who will be loyal to me like Bonnie and Clyde were loyal to each other.
But my problems is just and I gotta admit
I have my own issues that I need to acknowledge.
I got someone who loves me so effortless
I have someone in my life who loves me without effort.
But, I'm so messed up from another chick I feel like such a bitch ass nigga
I'm struggling with emotional baggage from another woman and feel weak because of it.
That my exes got the power with no effort to decline the next shawty I get
My previous partners still have the power to influence my relationships with new women.
Yo, foundation on all my pillows, still your tender face is flawless when the sky kiss you
Your beauty is breathtaking and I can't get enough of it.
Should I bury you in compliments or buy gifts or Just let you tell me bye and for that time I'll miss you
I'm unsure how to show you my affection and appreciation.
I am young, black, and accomplished baby but I'm not the type to bring home to mama
I have achieved success at a young age, but I don't think I'm good enough for a family-oriented partner.
I don't believe in unicorns nor pure love, but more so the latter
I don't believe in fairy tale romance or true love, but I do want something that comes close to the latter.
Seen Porzingis from courtside I got missed calls from porn stars and church girls You'd be surprised who get the wildest and squirt more
I've seen famous basketball player Kristaps Porzingis up close, and I receive calls from both adult film stars and religious women who are surprisingly wild and sexually active.
I believe that love is complicated at best And that it's worst it's a permanent burning in your chest
I think love is complex and difficult, and at its worst, it causes a permanent ache in your heart.
I pray to earn that from somebody someday But, somehow someway I no longer have a heart to invest, it's miles away
I hope to find someone to love deeply someday, but I feel like my heart is too far away to invest in someone right now.
The smiles is fake and my job ain't real
My smiles are fake and my job isn't authentic.
Why would you think I'll find a woman who is? I'm high today Tomorrow I'm chill 'cause my job get real What mature woman would put up with my shit?
I doubt I'll find a mature woman who will tolerate my inconsistent moods and unfulfilling job.
I'm rather good at being just kind of good to women who deserve more from me But, I see you as something more than a purring kitty
I tend to treat women who deserve better than me, but I see more potential and value in you than in other women.
It's complicated, aye It's complicated It's complicated
My love life is complicated and difficult to navigate.
Just be honest shawty I got bitches you got niggas don't be modest shawty Don't care about your IG pictures I don't follow anyway 'Cause if I really like you I won't, fuck it Block all them bitches, gone, 'cause it's complicated
I want you to be honest about your own relationships, and I don't care about your social media presence. If I truly like you, I will block all my other love interests because my love life is too complicated to juggle multiple partners.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, Clever Keys, Ayo N Keys, Money
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@xxChaosandAnarchyxx
totally love n respect such melodic honesty...you hear,see n feel his growth all threw his latest project...true epitome of art imitating life.
@jermainethomas540
Poetry With Passion 🔥🔥🔥
@SEGUNPHILIPSAGUDA
It's complicated... I could listen to this on repeat forever.
@trevorakindo9573
Word. Keep us going Wale, your work speaks for itself!
@cetoristancil2156
Maturity, Patience, Loyalty, Honesty, PureLove = G O D
@Lysha85
This Joint go too hard! I keep this on repeat.👏🔥🔥#Deep
@keatonwoods60
I need a whole album with this kinda vibe
@iseehd
another level music..this on repeat
@bwilson3725
On repeat! 💯🔥
@Tobi_TXA
Wale is highly talented...shine bro 💙🌙