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
New Sou
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hoping I could learn a bit 'bout how to give and take
I'm a new soul, I came to this strange world
Hoping I could learn a bit 'bout how to give and take
BKS, Craig B., what's up? (It's the Best Kept Secret!)
They used to call me the future
A month later say, "Fuck it, I'm growin' used to him"
See they use me
Though I recite it like it Lucifer's loose leaf
But you ain't never pleased
Maybe you should leave
And find a new port/Newport
And I don't mean no loosies/Lucys
Nor Desi Arnaz
Though many aren't as poetic as this though
Many on-sites claim prophetic, they is
Professing they found one ready as this
So tell me I ain't shit
Go and embellish it a bit
But I never break a sweat
It takes effort to con-flict
So if they better than the kid
I guess I'm left which cause I still get to win
Dig?
And what you heard is thunderin'
No Vince Young I did superb on the Wonderlic
New Soul
Go ahead and google the Wonderlic test. Ha ha
Shout out to all the Freshmen. Asher. B.O.B. Scotty, what's up?
Wiz Khalifia. Drizzy Drake. Wale.)
See, most sites will give me three and a half
Four on a good day, but this morning I missed a cab
So let me tell you about this guy
He hit me on AIM, I respond, he replies
Like, "You sick Wale. Real talk no shittin'
I love what you're doin' I'm just hopin' you continue
Allow me to give you couple tracks that I'm pitchin'"
Huh, now ain't that a bitch or two
Sideways niggas keep tryin' to make them Bishop moves
Now concentrate until you get the "Juice"
Though I'm done teachin' niggas though it's school
Nigga this class
Nigga this cash
And I've been puttin' in work, nigga just ask
Hot 97
Y'all I was just at it
So you can see why they mad, look at they status
New Soul
Yeah, I never dreamed of a gift
And I've been uplifting the people I'm with
To speak from the soul and just leave it with them
With appending mixtape that only seems like a myth
And things seem to conflict
New soul verses the O.G. it seemed as a hit
But it seems like a scene outta flick
It seems to remind me of a scene like this
Analyze and persist
I decide up my pride is just why I resist
That's why I conflict with the why, when and ifs
The Jiggas and the Tips
The Ems and the 50s
And I'm the fuckin' best, never mind if you iffy
So while the world goes Drake crazy
I'm Danny Granger
I'm just workin' with a different Pacer
Speed up, patience, please cause
Slow and steady wins this race
Fuck leadin'
New soul
Appreciate all the support everybody. I hope you enjoy the mixtape
DC Chillin'. PG Chillin'. Ha ha ha. Yeah!
The lyrics in Wale's song New Soul convey his feelings of being new to the music industry and trying to learn how to give and take from his experiences. He talks about how he's been labeled as "the future," but then suddenly disregarded and grown used to. He questions the industry's motives and how they use and change him to fit their ideal image. Wale emphasizes his poetic talent and skill, even though many critics claim that he's not as good as others. He expresses his determination to keep pushing and working hard, despite others going crazy over artists like Drake. Overall, the song reflects Wale's struggles with fame and trying to find his place in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a new soul, I came to this strange world
Hoping I could learn a bit 'bout how to give and take
I'm a novice in this world, yearning to understand the art of giving and taking.
BKS, Craig B., what's up? (It's the Best Kept Secret!)
They used to call me the future
A month later say, "Fuck it, I'm growin' used to him"
People once believed that I would revolutionize rap music, but now they've grown accustomed to my presence.
See they use me
Then they the new me
Though I recite it like it Lucifer's loose leaf
But you ain't never pleased
Maybe you should leave
And find a new port/Newport
And I don't mean no loosies/Lucys
Nor Desi Arnaz
People use me for clout, then abandon me for the next big thing. It seems like you're never satisfied with my work, so perhaps it's time for you to move on and discover the next big thing.
Though many aren't as poetic as this though
Many on-sites claim prophetic, they is
Professing they found one ready as this
So tell me I ain't shit
Go and embellish it a bit
But I never break a sweat
It takes effort to con-flict
So if they better than the kid
I guess I'm left which cause I still get to win
Dig?
Although many people claim they have found artists as talented as me, they are few and far between. You can criticize my work all you want, but it won't bother me because it takes hard work and dedication to cause trouble. If you believe that someone is better than me, so be it. I'll keep doing my thing anyway.
And what you heard is thunderin'
No Vince Young I did superb on the Wonderlic
I'm killing it right now, and I'll keep doing so. My brain is sharp as a tack when it comes to the Wonderlic test.
Though I'm done teachin' niggas though it's school
Nigga this class
Nigga this cash
And I've been puttin' in work, nigga just ask
Hot 97
Y'all I was just at it
So you can see why they mad, look at they status
I'm done trying to teach people, this is rap music not school. I'm at the top of my game and making bank, so don't question me. If you want proof of my dedication, just ask around. I was just on Hot 97, and people are upset because I took their spot as the top artist.
Yeah, I never dreamed of a gift
And I've been uplifting the people I'm with
To speak from the soul and just leave it with them
With appending mixtape that only seems like a myth
I never thought I'd be this good at rap, but here I am. I'm trying to uplift the people around me by spreading positive vibes and speaking from the heart. I'm dropping a mixtape soon, and it might seem too good to be true.
And things seem to conflict
New soul verses the O.G. it seemed as a hit
But it seems like a scene outta flick
It seems to remind me of a scene like this
There seems to be a conflict between the new generation of rappers and the old. It looks like it'll result in a battle, like something out of a movie. It's reminiscent of a scene I've experienced before.
That's why I conflict with the why, when and ifs
The Jiggas and the Tips
The Ems and the 50s
And I'm the fuckin' best, never mind if you iffy
This is why I have conflicting views with famous artists such as Jay-Z, T.I, Eminem, and 50-Cent. I don't care if you're uncertain of my skills, I know that I'm the best.
So while the world goes Drake crazy
I'm Danny Granger
I'm just workin' with a different Pacer
Speed up, patience, please cause
Slow and steady wins this race
Fuck leadin'
While everyone is obsessing over Drake, I'm just doing my thing at my own pace. I don't need to be a leader; I'm just working with a different team. Speeding up won't help me win. I need to take my time and do things right.
Appreciate all the support everybody. I hope you enjoy the mixtape
DC Chillin'. PG Chillin'. Ha ha ha. Yeah!
Thanks for all the love and support, guys. I hope you have a good time listening to my mixtape. I'm chilling in DC and PG, and I'm feeling good about it. Ha ha ha. Yeah!
Contributed by Lucy L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
felipe chodil ossandon
12 años ya y aún no me aburro de este temon … 🇨🇱 Since 12 years
Star Joy
He has been slept on and deserves more respect for his lyrical talent
DC Gago
still gives me the chills
Matt C
Wale has such a great flow + tracks
Holla Definition
By far one of my favorite songs by Wale. #DMV
FrankTheTank
i swear this guys gonna rise to the top... no doubt
BigGus87
its wale.. one of the best unknown rappers ever... my personal favorite... listen to the mixxtape about nothing.... every song is sick (if u can keep up)
Malin Pettersson
love this song!<3
EnglishMinez
I want to rap this to the nation.
devilzadvokit13
This is fucking great, he gives a shout out to B.o.B, Kid Cudi (Scott "Scotty" Mescudi), Drake, Asher Ruth, Wiz Khalifa. Wale, stay fly.