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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Running Rebels
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where did my time go?
I let it fly
Spending time trya find em
And yall niggas the right flow
I like hoes that like poles in clean clubs
My slight fo's just talk dirty
Money I make em buck
Trust they seen enough
Lust would have you slipping
Love would have you stuck
From what they praise
Bitches is artificially duck
Politicians be stunting
Most of them niggas dumb
Roll a swisher lets move it
My position improving
Not to mention
I have entered into a cooler unit
Moving in unionism
Used to be such a hooligan
But now I'm on a roll
I think I'm patches O'Houlihan
Ben Stiller Zooland the same face
Bars change a nigga life
Nigga scared straight
Jordan 8 strapped up
Blasting out some backyard
Backwoods in my ashtray
I'm happier when high and drunk
Baby I'm in the zone
Lately been writing poems
Can't put my soul in the bullshit
Music that ya condone you fuck it
I'ma count all these duckets
I'ma keep my integrity
Ya can keep all yall budgets
Buzz it like my very first day in here
Laying here, laying here all in your lady ear
Mercedes rear view thats what today appears
I'm past present you light years
Behind here
Rolling while I'm blowing in this stash
Got my foot on the gas
Drop top on this thang
And the moon looking beautiful as ever
See these lights got me on another level
Feeling like tonight
Were running wild tonight
They can never hold me down
'Cause I'm running gone
Uh, uh yeah they Larry Davis me
And try say I killed a cop
Picture that and they ain't fire
Not a single shot they said I'm guilty
N I ain't get the chance to say I'm not
Bail was a quarter mill
They put me in a box, ha
Dead broke tryna get a bail
Calling niggas really knowing
They don't give a hell
But I ain't give a fuck
Cus I ain't trying sit in jail
They giving niggas letters here
And they ain't sending mail
Im talking life sentence
Forever night ?
This shit right here
Turn a man to a mice, nigga
This shit right here
Turn a killer to a nice nigga
Cold cell, lock down like a vice gripper
Lead by my strategy
Winning I do sporadically try attacking me
Automatic shoot automatically
City backing me headed for it
No looking back at me
Lyrical assault they charge me
Without the battery, ha
Running rebel on another level
Like the Olympics these youngins
Just won another metal
They say to get a hundred mill
U must become the devil if u believe that
Nigga u is dumb as ever
Young and dumb or even old and stupid
I put my faith in God
Never try I just do it
Niggas get down for the moment
They ain't for movement
My nigga Rozay put me on the tour
'Cause amuse him
Rolling while I'm blowing in this stash
Got my foot on the gas
Drop top on this thang
And the moon looking beautiful as ever
See these lights got me on another level
Feeling like tonight
Were running wild tonight
They can never hold me down
'Cause I'm running gone
The song "Running Rebels" by Wale feat. Jeremih & Rick Ross talks about the struggles and triumphs of being a black man in America, specifically in relation to their experiences with law enforcement. The lyrics express frustration with the criminal justice system, with lines like "Larry Davis me and try say I killed a cop" and "they giving niggas letters here, and they ain't sending mail." The singer speaks about his own experiences with being arrested and having to come up with bail money, as well as the ways that systemic racism can turn people into "nice niggas" or "mice niggas." The song also touches on themes of perseverance, with lines like "they can never hold me down, 'cause I'm running gone."
One of the interesting facts about the song is that it was released in 2019 as a single and wasn't part of an album. Another fact is that Rick Ross, one of the collaborators on the song, has a history of legal troubles, which could add a layer of personal meaning to his verse. Additionally, the song samples the classic R&B track "Do You Believe" by the group Supreme Majesty. Wale has spoken in interviews about the inspiration behind the song, citing his own experiences with discriminatory policing as well as the larger societal issues surrounding race and law enforcement.
In terms of the chords for the song, they are not readily available as the track is primarily electronic and hip-hop based, and therefore less reliant on traditional instrumentation. However, there are several online tutorials and covers available that demonstrate different ways to play the melody on a keyboard or guitar.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay, look
Listen closely
Where did my time go?
I'm reflecting on lost time
I let it fly
Time passed quickly
Spending time trya find em
I'm looking for something
And yall niggas the right flow
You have the right energy
I like hoes that like poles in clean clubs
I enjoy women who like to dance in nice places
My slight fo's just talk dirty
My shoes are stylish but provocative
I clean em up
I don't mind being provocative but I have class
Money I make em buck
I earn a lot of money
Trust they seen enough
People have witnessed my success
Lust would have you slipping
Desire can lead to mistakes
Love would have you stuck
Love can trap you
From what they praise
From what people admire
Bitches is artificially duck
Women are fake and superficial
Politicians be stunting
Politicians show off for attention
Most of them niggas dumb
Most of them are unintelligent
Roll a swisher lets move it
Let's smoke a cigar and get going
My position improving
I'm getting better
Not to mention
In addition
I have entered into a cooler unit
I have upgraded my living situation
Moving in unionism
Moving in agreement with others
Used to be such a hooligan
I used to be wild and reckless
But now I'm on a roll
But now I'm doing well
I think I'm patches O'Houlihan
I feel like a successful coach
Ben Stiller Zooland the same face
I'm like a character from a Ben Stiller movie
Bars change a nigga life
Music can have an impact
Nigga scared straight
I'm intimidated but motivated
Jordan 8 strapped up
I'm wearing expensive shoes
Blasting out some backyard
I'm playing music loudly
Backwoods in my ashtray
I'm smoking a type of cigar
I'm happier when high and drunk
I enjoy being under the influence
Baby I'm in the zone
I'm focused and doing well
Lately been writing poems
I've been creative
Can't put my soul in the bullshit
I won't compromise my values
Music that ya condone you fuck it
I won't make music you approve of
I'ma count all these duckets
I'm going to count my money
I'ma keep my integrity
I won't sacrifice my values for money
Ya can keep all yall budgets
I don't care about your finances
Buzz it like my very first day in here
Perform with energy like it's your first day
Laying here, laying here all in your lady ear
Flirting with your girl
Mercedes rear view thats what today appears
I'm in a nice car
I'm past present you light years
I'm ahead of my time
Behind here
Behind in the past
Rolling while I'm blowing in this stash
I'm driving and smoking
Got my foot on the gas
I'm focused and driven
Drop top on this thang
I'm driving a convertible car
And the moon looking beautiful as ever
The moon is shining bright
See these lights got me on another level
The lights are hypnotic
Feeling like tonight
Feeling good about the present
Were running wild tonight
We're going to have fun
They can never hold me down
They can't stop me
'Cause I'm running gone
I'm unstoppable
Uh, uh yeah they Larry Davis me
They're accusing me of a crime
And try say I killed a cop
They're saying I'm responsible for a police officer's death
Picture that and they ain't fire
That's ridiculous and untrue
Not a single shot they said I'm guilty
I was convicted without evidence
N I ain't get the chance to say I'm not
I didn't have the opportunity to defend myself
Bail was a quarter mill
My bail was very expensive
They put me in a box, ha
They put me in jail
Dead broke tryna get a bail
I had no money to pay for bail
Calling niggas really knowing
Asking for help from people who won't come through
They don't give a hell
They don't care
But I ain't give a fuck
But I didn't let it affect me
Cus I ain't trying sit in jail
I don't want to be in jail
They giving niggas letters here
People are sending letters in jail
And they ain't sending mail
But they're not helpful
Im talking life sentence
I'm facing a long time in jail
Forever night ?
A metaphor for a long time in jail
This shit right here
The situation I'm in
Turn a man to a mice, nigga
It can make a strong man weak
Turn a killer to a nice nigga
It can make a violent person peaceful
Cold cell, lock down like a vice gripper
Jail is a cold, oppressive place
Lead by my strategy
I'm relying on my plan
Winning I do sporadically try attacking me
I don't always win but I defend myself
Automatic shoot automatically
My gun automatically fires
City backing me headed for it
My city supports me
No looking back at me
I'm not slowing down
Lyrical assault they charge me
I'm being accused of offensive lyrics
Without the battery, ha
Without justification
Running rebel on another level
I'm a rebel and I'm successful
Like the Olympics these youngins just won another metal
Like an athlete winning a medal, young people are achieving
They say to get a hundred mill
They say to become rich
U must become the devil if u believe that
That's a dangerous philosophy
Nigga u is dumb as ever
That's a stupid idea
Young and dumb or even old and stupid
Whether you're young or old, being foolish is bad
I put my faith in God
I trust in a higher power
Never try I just do it
I don't make excuses
Niggas get down for the moment
People get caught up in the present
They ain't for movement
They're not committed long-term
My nigga Rozay put me on the tour
My friend Rick Ross included me in his tour
'Cause amuse him
Because it makes him happy
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM ROBERTS, OLUBOWALE VICTOR AKINTIMEHIN, TEEDRA MOSES, KYLE MYRICS, ERNEST PRICE, ROBERT WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind