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
Lotus Flower Bomb
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna enjoy the luxury of like, not knowing each other for real
Hol' up
Lotus flower bomb, firefly
When I'm low, she take me high
I can teach you all the sounds of love
And you got that bomb, huh, I'm tryna detonate you
No disrespecting baby, just tryna make you smile
Try to keep my spirits up, that's why I lays it down
Try to keep your spirits up, lil' vodka whatever
Took you forever to get dressed, I acknowledge your effort
So I clap for her, she deserves an applause
Shawty working so hard, she deserve that Vuitton
Shawty where your baton, racing through my mind like
She heard that I got that work, I heard that she been on strike
Care to tell, I read your mind, she been on them dollars first
Caramel macchiatos when shawty get into work
I can be your boyfriend, be your nigga or a friend with perks
I'm just tryna work that huh, they just tryna work your nerves
I'm just tryna read your mind, I'm just tryna feed you mine
I'm just tryna give you light, they just tryna leave you blind
We're living in a fantasy
I feel it when you dance with me
It's feeling like you need to be
My lady, my baby, yeah
Can't you see
I'm talking about eternity
Tell me would you care to be
My lady, my baby
Flower bomb, can I blow up on your mind
This is not no Sandra Bull, but you're Potion #9
Navigating through her eyes, destination to her thighs
And I hate to tell you too much, 'cause I stay with too much pride
And we way too young to know love, maybe not but we don't need no rush
Don't believe in love at first sight, but I believe in love at first huh
Can I be with you just one night? I could wear you out inside
I could tell you like persistence, but I make you cum in tri's
I just think we need one night, can't decide if I came right
Easy baby my thing tight, but that lotus flower just ain't right
I ain't thinking I ain't right, can't decide, but I can't fight
Easy baby you the bomb and all, but I be damned if I do not land mine
Or at least try, can I speak up? Was it peace out? Can we eat lunch?
Can we take shots with your flavor? Flat drinks we call A cups
I just think I need one night, slightly more if it's done right
With that gorgeous face, I don't know your name, it ain't important babe 'cause
I'ma call you mine
We're living in a fantasy
I feel it when you dance with me
It's feeling like you need to be
My lady, my baby, yeah
Can't you see
I'm talking about eternity
Tell me would you care to be
My lady, my baby
'Cause I don't know you, you don't know me
The clock keeps tickin' baby, what's it gonna be
I don't know you, you don't know me
Let me teach you all the sounds of love
Ah, ay, eeh, ahh ohh ooo
Baby this was for you, lotus
The song "Lotus Flower Bomb" by Wale featuring Miguel touches on aspects of love, attraction, and desire. The metaphor of a lotus flower bomb symbolizes the beauty and delicate nature of a woman who has the power to ignite passion and love in a man's life. Wale talks about how he appreciates the simple pleasures of not knowing each other for real, just being in the moment, and cherishing every emotion that comes with it.
Throughout the song, Wale describes how he wants to get to know and understand his woman better. He talks about how she takes him up whenever he’s low and how he admires her efforts despite how much it takes her to get dressed or win her bread. Although he acknowledges her resilience and celebrates her, he also declares that he isn't looking for love or commitment, just a one-night stand.
The chorus of the song by Miguel sings both about needing a lady and a baby, which suggests that Wale is searching for the perfect feminine archetype to play the roles of all he aspires to find in a relationship. The lyrics show that male-female relationships are complicated and are just like a delicate lotus flower that requires care, attention, and patience. The song revolves around exploring the nuances of love and passion, while also shedding light on how people can be attracted to each other without really knowing each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Lotus flower bomb, firefly
The girl is like a Lotus flower bomb and firefly, taking him high when he is low
When I'm low, she take me high
The girl takes Wale high when he is feeling down
I can teach you all the sounds of love
Wale is confident of his ability to teach the girl all about love
Flower bomb, let me guess your favorite fragrance
Wale asks the girl about her favorite fragrance
And you got that bomb, huh, I'm tryna detonate you
Wale acknowledges that the girl is 'the bomb' and he is trying to make her explode with pleasure
No disrespecting baby, just tryna make you smile
Wale is not disrespectful, he just wants to make the girl smile
Try to keep my spirits up, that's why I lays it down
Wale wants to keep his spirits up, so he raps
Try to keep your spirits up, lil vodka whatever
Wale wants the girl to keep her spirits up, with a little vodka or whatever she likes
Took you forever to get dressed, I acknowledge your effort
Wale appreciates the girl's effort to look good
So I clap for her, she deserves an applause
Wale thinks the girl deserves an applause for her efforts
Shawty working so hard, she deserve that Vuitton
Wale thinks the girl works hard, and deserves a Vuitton bag
Shawty where your baton, racing through my mind like
Wale has the girl on his mind, like she is racing with a baton
She heard that I got that work, I heard that she been on strike
Wale heard that the girl is on strike, while the girl heard that Wale has got the work
Care to tell, I read your mind, she been on them dollars first
Wale reads the girl's mind, and understands she cares more about money
Caramel macchiatos when shawty get into work
The girl drinks caramel macchiatos when she is at work
I can be your boyfriend be your nigga or a friend with perks
Wale can be the girl's boyfriend, or just a friend with benefits
I'm just tryna work that huh, they just tryna work your nerves
Wale is trying to satisfy the girl, while others are just trying to annoy her
I'm just tryna read your mind, I'm just tryna feed you mine
Wale wants to understand the girl better, and share his thoughts with her
I'm just tryna give you light, they just tryna leave you blind
Wale is trying to guide the girl to a better path, while others are trying to mislead her
We're living in a fantasy
Wale thinks they are in a fantasy world
I feel it when you dance with me
Wale feels a connection when they dance together
It's feeling like you need to be
Wale thinks the girl needs to stay with him
My lady, my baby, yeah
Wale thinks of the girl as his lady and his baby
Can't you see
Wale thinks the girl should be able to see his love for her
I'm talking about eternity
Wale wants to be with the girl forever
Tell me would you care to be
Wale asks the girl if she would like to be with him
Cuz I don't know you, you don't know me
Wale acknowledges that they don't really know each other well
The clock keeps tickin' baby, what's it gonna be
Time is running out, Wale wants to know what the girl wants
Let me teach you all the sounds of love
Wale wants to teach the girl about love and its nuances
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, Trey Walker Johnson, Miguel Jontel Pimentel, Samuel Dew, Jerrin Howard, Jeffrey Jr. Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DjHustlequeen45
Whoever is Reading this:
Your skin isn't a paper don't cut it
Your body isn't a book don't judge it
Your heart isn't a door don't lock it
Your life isn't a movie don't end it it
You're beautiful
Be youself.. Stay safe
(by the way I’m also a small youtuber looking for your support )
I didn't create this quote
Just wanna spread some positivty. ❣️
@danarddarrisaw3928
Ppl hate on wale because he speak from the soul of a black man.. a lot of us black men act like black women ain’t enough but in the real light of things a black woman is the most empowering, successful, beautiful, strong, and loving woman we could ever wish for.. if your reading this I love you black women..
@HoneyBee1980
Danard Darrisaw Thank you 😍✊🏽
@GreecianEagle
I'm white but I agree 100%
@josesierra6744
Lol
@Maynedidit
Thank you. You are appreciated!
@QUEENMOTHERMECCA
Yeah. Talk that talk. I like. N u speaking all facts. Thank you too.
@brookekelley7992
Quarantine brought me back to this gem
@kiannaatkins6611
Omg sammmme
@NoPersona
@@kiannaatkins6611 I agree
@erinsimone4881
Saaaame, I love Wale soooo much ❤