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
Nothing to Worry About
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been on this long road accumulating luggage
As time proceeds, preoccupied with everything
I think it's 'bout time I sing of nothing
Sipping wine, sipping wine, cause my Henny finished
Hard to be friendly with women who've seen too many niggas
So I keep my circle small, you need reduction
I swear to God, times is hard, but they're getting better
Tryna enjoy every moment, but see we so competitive
Gubana made the level, and I never missed a supper
But still my hunger's like a fucking model at a buffet
I'm with these broads who in love, they ain't seen any better
But dollar signs never mind, and he keep a zero
And if my heart could speak, it would talk to freaks
And leave the room when a nigga try to sleep with 'em
Getting high, getting by, watching time fly
Tell my niggas, I'ma get 'em if they gon' ride
Young, wild nigga living the dream
Although I'm not who I'm destined to be
They keep saying, "Grow up"
Lord, my all, what you think of it?
Been on this long road accumulating luggage
As time proceeds, preoccupied with everything
I think it's 'bout time I sing of nothing
Been on this long road accumulating luggage
As time proceeds, preoccupied with everything
I think it's 'bout time I sing of nothing
I pray my girl don't turn to my baby mother yet
But in fact I do, I need by boo to keep my shit in check
And shit get easier when dreams of chasing respect
Get realized, and ain't no team invading your set
Getting high, getting by as my mind fly
Just bought my homie a Roley simply to pass time
And on top it's lonely so keep your homies right by your side
And if life is short then we'll be the shorts of the Fab Five
Severed ties with any nigga who covet mine
And all the stunting got me looking ugly in momma's eyes
But I gotta do it, these niggas need provocative music
And as a youth momma worked too much to have an influence
Rapping and music, a bunch of bitches acting too foolish
You gotta be stupid, even Tim Allen had him a tooly
Getting high, sitting down, thinking out loud
It's a shame niggas lame, but I'mma hold it down
Let my bread roll, never let my friends go
That's why I let these dreads grow, I'll never fit your fucking crown
Getting high, getting by, watching time fly
Tell these niggas I'mma get 'em every other time
Young, wild niggas sit in your seat
Know every weekend every liquor for free
[?] believe, [?] bitch, I sow what I reap
Double M genius, make these bitches so deep
I make these niggas' opinion on younger lyricists consistently weak
Put my cardio in the rdio and you missin' the beat
I'm out, standing in every avenue, I'm good in the streets
Outstanding, shitting on niggas, but you sit when you pee
Hold up
Lord, my all, what you think of it?
Been on this long road accumulating luggage
As time proceeds, preoccupied with everything
I think it's 'bout time I sing of nothing
Been on this long road accumulating luggage
As time proceeds, preoccupied with everything
I think it's 'bout time I sing of nothing
In "The Intro About Nothing" by Wale, the rapper reflects on his life and the struggles he faced on his journey to success. The lyrics reflect on his love for music, his relationship with women, his friends, and his aspirations in life. The first line of the song, "Lord, my all, what you think of it?" suggests that Wale is looking for guidance and reflection on his life, questioning his purpose and what he has achieved so far.
Throughout the song, the rapper uses metaphors and comparisons to describe his experiences. In the line "Been on this long road accumulating luggage," Wale uses the metaphor of a journey to describe his life, and the baggage he has picked up along the way. He mentions his appreciation for the small things in life, "Tryna enjoy every moment," but notes the competitive nature of the music industry, "see we so competitive." Wale also reflects on his relationships, keeping his circle small, and trying to maintain a healthy partnership with his significant other.
The chorus repeats the line "Been on this long road accumulating luggage, as time proceeds, preoccupied with everything, I think it's 'bout time I sing of nothing." This repetition emphasizes the idea that despite accumulating experiences and baggage, it is time for Wale to focus on expressing himself through his music and sing about "nothing."
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, my all, what you think of it?
Asking for the opinion of a higher power about his current state of being.
Been on this long road accumulating luggage
Been through a long journey and accumulated a lot of baggage along the way.
As time proceeds, preoccupied with everything
As time passes, becoming preoccupied with every possible thing.
I think it's 'bout time I sing of nothing
Believes that it's time to sing about nothing, instead of focusing on the weight of everything else.
Sipping wine, sipping wine, cause my Henny finished
Having wine because his Henny (Hennessy) is finished.
Hard to be friendly with women who've seen too many niggas
Difficult to have a friendly relationship with women who have been with a lot of men.
So I keep my circle small, you need reduction
Keeps his circle of friends small and believes that others need to do the same.
Never too much friends, what is your circumference?
Doesn't believe in having too many friends and questions the extent of one's friend group.
I swear to God, times is hard, but they're getting better
Acknowledges that times have been hard, but they are slowly improving.
Tryna enjoy every moment, but see we so competitive
Wants to enjoy every moment but recognizes the constant competition that exists.
Gubana made the level, and I never missed a supper
References a type of cake (Gubana) and claims to have never missed a meal.
But still my hunger's like a fucking model at a buffet
Hunger is insatiable like a model at a buffet.
I'm with these broads who in love, they ain't seen any better
Surrounded by women who are in love but have never experienced anything better.
But dollar signs never mind, and he keep a zero
Money is not a concern for the person he is referencing and they always keep a zero balance.
And if my heart could speak, it would talk to freaks
Expresses his desire for sexual relationships with women.
And leave the room when a nigga try to sleep with 'em
Wants to leave the room when a man tries to sleep with the women he desires.
Getting high, getting by, watching time fly
Staying high and just getting by while watching time pass.
Tell my niggas, I'ma get 'em if they gon' ride
Telling his friends that he will have their back if they stick with him.
Young, wild nigga living the dream
Living life as a young and wild person and fulfilling his dreams.
Although I'm not who I'm destined to be
Acknowledges that he is not yet the person he is meant to become.
They keep saying, "Grow up"
Continuously being told to mature and grow up.
I pray my girl don't turn to my baby mother yet
Worries that his girlfriend may become his baby's mother instead.
But in fact I do, I need by boo to keep my shit in check
Admits that he does need his girlfriend to keep him in line.
And shit get easier when dreams of chasing respect
Things become easier when he can focus on chasing respect and reaching his goals.
Get realized, and ain't no team invading your set
Once his goals are accomplished, he will have no competition.
Just bought my homie a Roley simply to pass time
Bought his friend a Rolex just to pass the time.
And on top it's lonely so keep your homies right by your side
Even at the top, it can still be lonely so it's important to keep friends close.
And if life is short then we'll be the shorts of the Fab Five
Comes to terms with the shortness of life and wants to make the most of it.
Severed ties with any nigga who covet mine
Cuts off anyone who shows jealousy towards him and his possessions.
And all the stunting got me looking ugly in momma's eyes
His flashy lifestyle disappoints his mother.
But I gotta do it, these niggas need provocative music
Believes that he needs to produce provocative music to satisfy his fans.
And as a youth momma worked too much to have an influence
His mother worked too much to have a major influence on him while growing up.
Rapping and music, a bunch of bitches acting too foolish
Considers the industry and some of its artists to be foolish.
You gotta be stupid, even Tim Allen had him a tooly
Feels that having a firearm is necessary in the entertainment industry, referencing Tim Allen.
Getting high, sitting down, thinking out loud
Getting high and thinking out loud while sitting down.
It's a shame niggas lame, but I'mma hold it down
Disappointing how many people are uncool, but he will continue to represent what he believes in.
Let my bread roll, never let my friends go
Will continue to make money and not abandon his friends.
That's why I let these dreads grow, I'll never fit your fucking crown
His dreadlocks represent his individuality and he will never conform to anyone else's standards.
Tell these niggas I'mma get 'em every other time
Telling his competitors that he will get them every other time.
Young, wild niggas sit in your seat
Encouraging other young and wild people to take control.
Know every weekend every liquor for free
Knowing where to find free liquor every weekend.
[?] believe, [?] bitch, I sow what I reap
Unclear meaning.
Double M genius, make these bitches so deep
Refers to himself as a Double M (Maybach Music Group) genius and claims to be incredibly profound.
I make these niggas' opinion on younger lyricists consistently weak
Believes that younger lyricists are not as talented as him.
Put my cardio in the rdio and you missin' the beat
Uses wordplay to say that his cardio (heart) is in the rdio (radio). If you're not paying attention, you'll miss his message.
I'm out, standing in every avenue, I'm good in the streets
Physically present and noticeable in every aspect of life and has a good reputation on the streets.
Outstanding, shitting on niggas, but you sit when you pee
Outstanding and better than others, but those who are inferior are compared to someone who sits while peeing.
Been on this long road accumulating luggage
Been through a long journey and accumulated a lot of baggage along the way.
As time proceeds, preoccupied with everything
As time passes, becoming preoccupied with every possible thing.
I think it's 'bout time I sing of nothing
Believes that it's time to sing about nothing, instead of focusing on the weight of everything else.
Contributed by Jack J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.