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.
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Ji-Dope
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody ain't tripping but they got toast
Nigga we not dope boys we just yacht doe
Without a pot stove nigga make that pot roast
Nigga I'm a humble nigga
Still come through and kick it
With the very same niggas that I came through with it
Keep it real y'all playing like American Apparel
Js DS don't be lacing them up
Y'all be making some money but y'all be making shit up
Y'all be welling embellishing but forever irrelevant
They be saying whatever but when they see me they sucking dick
It's hard to just love a woman it's easy to fuck a bitch
Harder than shit ain't seeing what puggy did
Swag each other for every piece in cup of pearl
You motherfuckers ain't wanna hear it
Grind mode shorty said that she trying go
That X-Box they talking they gave me gonzo
Y'all slow my shows be all sold
In Norway it's no way you're in Oslo
Riding with the buddha rocking the medusa
Got a lotta haters they ain't cool enough to do it
Fuck the pistol got a shooter I am not tugging
Your little mixtape who a nigga get a budget
New shaq flow
All this niggas ain't tripping but they got toast
Nigga we not dope boys we just yacht doe
Without a pot stove nigga make that pot roast
Turn me up yo
It's like work to me
Turn me up yo
It's like work to me
Turn me up yo
It's like work to me
Turn me up yo
It's like work to me
I put the city on
I kept the city on
Shout out to Cool and Dre made another million
We added to the store couple packs of the Swisher
Fuck a Benz bag a bitch in a maxima chilling
Ain't tricking if you got it I'm a get it
I ain't saying bitch we're better but these niggas not official
As I all these niggas is hard
They like giving a cough down to a nigga with SARS
Some niggas is real a lot of niggas is soft
A lotta bitches be scarred so I be sitting in my car
I'm low key the most freaks that know me for reason
So about that goat cheese they won't be competing
Meaning it's easy we M O B ing
So much that girls at the bank call me steezy
Wonder fuck ya bad motherfucker
One man band below Raz on production
Come up in the booth salivating for the supper
And another finished booth man's just a hustler
New shaq flow
All niggas ain't tripping but they got toast
Nigga we not dope boys we just yacht doe
Without a pot stove nigga make that pot roast
Turn me up yo
It's like work to me
Turn me up yo
It's like work to yo
Turn me up yo
It's like work to yo
Turn me up yo
Mennnn
Bad bitches in the front
Real niggas in the back
The lyrics to Wale's song "Ji-Dope" convey a sense of confidence and self-assurance. The opening lines, "New shaq flow, everybody ain't tripping but they got toast," imply that while others may be putting on a show, Wale and his crew are the real deal. They are not just dope boys, but they live a lavish lifestyle represented by the reference to yachts and pot roasts.
Wale then goes on to display his humility and loyalty to his friends, stating that he still hangs out with the same people he came up with. He also emphasizes his lyrical prowess and authenticity, criticizing those who fabricate stories for fame and attention. Wale believes in keeping it real, contrasting with others who "play" like American Apparel.
The lyrics also touch on relationships, albeit in a somewhat vulgar manner. Wale suggests that it is harder to genuinely love a woman but easier to engage in casual sexual encounters. He also dismisses his critics, asserting that their opinions do not matter because his shows sell out and he has a strong following even in places like Norway.
Overall, "Ji-Dope" reflects Wale's confidence in his skills and success, his loyalty to his friends, and his disdain for the inauthenticity he observes in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
New shaq flow
Introducing a fresh, unique style of rapping
Everybody ain't tripping but they got toast
Not everyone is involved in negative activities, but they are armed with weapons
Nigga we not dope boys we just yacht doe
We are not involved in drug dealing, we are just living a luxurious lifestyle
Without a pot stove nigga make that pot roast
Even without certain resources, we can still make something of value
Nigga I'm a humble nigga
I am a modest and down-to-earth person
Still come through and kick it
I still spend time and hang out with the same people I started with
With the very same niggas that I came through with it
I remain loyal to the friends I started my journey with
A miracle to girls with that lyrical appeal
My skills and charm captivate women and leave them amazed
Keep it real y'all playing like American Apparel
While I stay genuine, others are being fake and putting on a front
Js DS don't be lacing them up
I don't rely on expensive sneakers to elevate my status
Y'all be making some money but y'all be making shit up
You may have some financial success, but it's based on lies and deception
Y'all be welling embellishing but forever irrelevant
You exaggerate and overstate your importance, but you will always be insignificant
They be saying whatever but when they see me they sucking dick
They talk nonsense, but when they encounter me, they show deference and admiration
It's hard to just love a woman it's easy to fuck a bitch
Forming a meaningful relationship with a woman is difficult, while casual sexual encounters are effortless
Harder than shit ain't seeing what puggy did
Overcoming hardships is challenging, and people fail to recognize my achievements
Swag each other for every piece in cup of pearl
We flaunt our individual style and confidence, as valuable as rare pearls in a cup
You motherfuckers ain't wanna hear it
You all aren't interested in hearing the truth or my perspective
Grind mode shorty said that she trying go
I am constantly focused on progressing, and a girl I know also has ambitions
That X-Box they talking they gave me gonzo
They talk about their achievements in gaming, but I surpassed them effortlessly
Y'all slow my shows be all sold
While you lag behind, my performances sell out quickly
In Norway it's no way you're in Oslo
You can't reach my level of popularity or success, even in a place like Oslo, Norway
Riding with the buddha rocking the medusa
I'm relaxed and carefree, wearing expensive jewelry like Medusa
Got a lotta haters they ain't cool enough to do it
I have many detractors who lack the skills and charisma to compete with me
Fuck the pistol got a shooter I am not tugging
I don't need to carry a gun myself, I have someone else to handle that
Your little mixtape who a nigga get a budget
Even if you release a mixtape, it won't gain attention or support unless you invest in its production
Turn me up yo
Increase the volume and intensity of my music
It's like work to me
Creating music feels like a fulfilling job to me
I put the city on
I brought recognition and success to my hometown
I kept the city on
I continue to represent and uplift my city
Shout out to Cool and Dre made another million
Acknowledging Cool and Dre for their contributions and success in making money
We added to the store couple packs of the Swisher
We acquired more products to sell, specifically Swisher cigars
Fuck a Benz bag a bitch in a maxima chilling
I don't need an expensive car like a Benz, I'm content with a maxima while enjoying the company of a woman
Ain't tricking if you got it I'm a get it
If you have the means, spending money to impress others is not a problem for me
I ain't saying bitch we're better but these niggas not official
I'm not claiming superiority, but these rappers are not authentic or genuine
As I all these niggas is hard
I observe that all these rappers portray themselves as tough and formidable
They like giving a cough down to a nigga with SARS
Their toughness is like a minor inconvenience compared to someone dealing with a severe illness like SARS
Some niggas is real a lot of niggas is soft
While some rappers are genuine, a majority of them are weak and lack authenticity
A lotta bitches be scarred so I be sitting in my car
Many women have emotional baggage, so I prefer to be alone in my car
I'm low key the most freaks that know me for reason
I may come across as reserved, but I have a large number of women who are aware of my sexual prowess
So about that goat cheese they won't be competing
Referring to money as 'goat cheese,' others cannot match or rival my wealth
Meaning it's easy we M O B ing
It's effortless for us to live a lavishly extravagant lifestyle as we continuously make money
So much that girls at the bank call me steezy
I have such a strong presence at the bank that the female employees give me special attention and call me 'steezy'
Wonder fuck ya bad motherfucker
I question why someone would want to have sexual intercourse with an unpleasant person
One man band below Raz on production
I am talented enough to handle music production by myself, with expertise even surpassing Raz
Come up in the booth salivating for the supper
Entering the recording booth eagerly, anticipating the successful outcome of my work
And another finished booth man's just a hustler
Completing another great recording session, proving my dedication and hard work
Bad bitches in the front
Attractive women are standing in the front section
Real niggas in the back
Genuine and authentic individuals are positioned in the back
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Megadethfist
Goes hard to this day
rico042002
Still jamming 2018
bawona
sick flow
Lionbeard09
Jamming to this in 2021