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
The Artistic Integrity
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe this idea is not for you
I for one am not going to compromise my artistic integrity
And I'll tell you something else this is the show
And we're not gonna change it
Never will I ever utter never to myself
Fall in love with defeat throw my endeavors on the shelf
Lemonade connoisseur life's lemons coming out
When life gets sour know I still devour
I remember Peabody mice crawling up the shower
Now it's motorbikes warm nights out in Maui
And white bitches and light skinned women be smiling
DC star a PG legend
MoCo phenomenon holmes I'm all of it
Yeah they all love it though critique Jon Lovitz
And whack hoes hating on key out in public
See welcome to fame where most of us is gon change
If you never do still niggas look at you strange
Niggas mostly assume niggas make up they news
Once you made it you cool they label you brand new
Really in subconscious
They see a star no longer the underdog
So nobody wanna walk with ya
They all talk like you think you was a god n'shit
But you the same that you always is
Yeah they all convinced but all for shit
This all be different if you had an office key yeah
And I'm the same on everything I love or everything I love
Please pardon my integrity
What were you thinking
What was going on in your mind
Artistic Integrity
Wh where did you come up with that
You're not artistic and have no integrity
You know you really need some help
A regular psychiatrist couldn't even help you
Check it so my chin's high like a Japanese pilot
They fronting they Charles S Dutton moving garbage
And what you calling that so called hard shit
None like me like I founded a convent
To contend my content I'm on ends meet like a vegetable omelette see
So the more you see it's few niggas speaking like me
So they put me in the box with he and he
And them which is more of a circus than a fair
They work to get there so to work to get theirs
I'll be nothing but a replica looking in the mirror
Respect still there but ya boy's right here
We apples and oranges but everybody pears
They say I'm Lupe they say I'm Lil' Wayne
They say I'm too Jay to portray new lay
They say I'm too nice to be a rapper
The prerequisite is gun clapping so what happened
They label me a backpacking nigga on fashion
I laugh at them though Mr West I ain't mad at ya
See he in his soul mode I'm in my go go
Only thing in common is these fucking Matsumotos
Yeah live from the Soho and hov told me I'd blow Joe
See I rap like a lifetime blown nose
All I know is I'm merely at Allah's nose
Meaning I'm lesser than a god but higher up than ya'll
A lion in form Matt Leinart when firing the ball
Pause Maya Angelou spawn abandoned and raised by Nas
Raised by the sharks but I'm swimming with the prawns
I found my own lane meet Mr Folarin
In "The Artistic Integrity," Wale expresses his commitment to staying true to his artistic vision and not compromising his integrity for the sake of fitting into the mainstream or pleasing others. He starts by declaring that he will not conform to the same old ideas and that this notion may not resonate with everyone. Wale emphasizes his determination to never give up or accept defeat, comparing himself to Cleo Lemon, a former NFL player known for never backing down. He references his humble beginnings, recalling mice crawling up the shower in his childhood home, juxtaposed with his current lifestyle of luxury and success.
The lyrics also touch on the challenges that come with fame. Wale addresses the pressure to change and the perception that once someone achieves success, they become arrogant or disconnected from their roots. He acknowledges that being famous often leads to assumptions and gossip, with people fabricating stories and scrutinizing one's every move. However, Wale remains authentic, asserting that he remains the same person he has always been, regardless of his success. Despite the criticisms and judgments, he unwaveringly holds onto his artistic integrity and asks for understanding and forgiveness in doing so.
Line by Line Meaning
Okay uh look if you wanna just keep doing the same old thing
If you're content with staying stagnant and never evolving
Maybe this idea is not for you
Perhaps this concept is not suited for your taste or style
I for one am not going to compromise my artistic integrity
I, on the other hand, refuse to sacrifice my artistic principles
And I'll tell you something else this is the show
Furthermore, this is my creation and I am in control
And we're not gonna change it
And I have no intention of altering it
Never will I ever utter never to myself
I will never allow negativity or doubt to enter my mind
Fall in love with defeat throw my endeavors on the shelf
I will never let failure deter me from pursuing my goals
I never back up like Cleo Lemon on myself
I never second-guess or doubt my own abilities
Lemonade connoisseur life's lemons coming out
I have become adept at turning life's challenges into opportunities
When life gets sour know I still devour
Even in difficult times, I remain resilient and determined
I remember Peabody mice crawling up the shower
I recall humble beginnings and the struggles I faced
Now it's motorbikes warm nights out in Maui
Now I enjoy the luxuries and pleasures of my success
And white bitches and light skinned women be smiling
I attract the attention and admiration of women of various backgrounds
DC star a PG legend
I am recognized as a prominent figure in the Washington, D.C. area, particularly in the world of basketball
MoCo phenomenon holmes I'm all of it
I am a phenomenon hailing from Montgomery County, embodying its culture and spirit
Yeah they all love it though critique Jon Lovitz
Despite criticism, I am still adored and appreciated by many
And whack hoes hating on key out in public
Even individuals who aren't deserving of respect or admiration try to bring me down
See welcome to fame where most of us is gon change
Entering the realm of fame often leads to a transformation in one's character
If you never do still niggas look at you strange
Even if you remain true to yourself, people will still view you with suspicion or confusion
Niggas mostly assume niggas make up they news
People often create false narratives or spread rumors about others
Once you made it you cool they label you brand new
Once you achieve success, people will accuse you of behaving differently
Really in subconscious
In reality, it is their own insecurities and envy speaking
They see a star no longer the underdog
They perceive me as a star and no longer an underprivileged or overlooked individual
So nobody wanna walk with ya
As a result, people are hesitant to associate with me
They all talk like you think you was a god n'shit
They accuse me of having an inflated ego or thinking I am superior
But you the same that you always is
However, I remain unchanged and true to myself
Yeah they all convinced but all for shit
Their beliefs and assumptions are baseless and insignificant
This all be different if you had an office key yeah
Their perception would change if I held a position of power or authority
And I'm the same on everything I love or everything I love
I maintain my integrity and principles in all aspects of my life
Please pardon my integrity
I ask for forgiveness if my commitment to my principles offends anyone
What were you thinking
What was going through your mind
What was going on in your mind
What were you contemplating
Artistic Integrity
The commitment to preserving one's artistic principles and values
Wh where did you come up with that
Where did you derive that concept
You're not artistic and have no integrity
You lack creativity and moral principles
You know you really need some help
You should seek assistance or guidance
A regular psychiatrist couldn't even help you
Even a typical mental health professional would struggle to assist you
Check it so my chin's high like a Japanese pilot
I stand tall and confident like a Japanese pilot in the face of adversity
They fronting they Charles S Dutton moving garbage
They pretend to be Charles S. Dutton, but their work is of poor quality
And what you calling that so called hard shit
You consider that to be tough or hardcore music
None like me like I founded a convent
No one is comparable to me, as if I established my own powerful institution
To contend my content I'm on ends meet like a vegetable omelette see
To handle my artistic creations, I face challenges and strive to make them harmonious
So the more you see it's few niggas speaking like me
The more you observe, the fewer individuals there are who express themselves in the same way as me
So they put me in the box with he and he
They confine me to the same category as others, without recognizing my uniqueness
And them which is more of a circus than a fair
And those individuals are more like a chaotic circus than a fair representation of talent
They work to get there so to work to get theirs
They put in effort to attain success, but they prioritize their personal gain
I'll be nothing but a replica looking in the mirror
I would only be a mere imitation, reflecting the image of others
Respect still there but ya boy's right here
I still command respect, but I remain true to myself
We apples and oranges but everybody pears
We may be different, but everyone tends to blend in and conform
They say I'm Lupe they say I'm Lil' Wayne
Some say I resemble Lupe Fiasco, while others compare me to Lil' Wayne
They say I'm too Jay to portray new lay
They claim I am too similar to Jay-Z to create something original
They say I'm too nice to be a rapper
They argue that my pleasant demeanor doesn't fit the stereotype of a rapper
The prerequisite is gun clapping so what happened
They believe that engaging in violence is a requirement, so why did things change
They label me a backpacking nigga on fashion
They categorize me as a conscious rapper who focuses on social issues, disregarding my sense of style
I laugh at them though Mr West I ain't mad at ya
I find their opinions amusing, just like Mr. West, and I bear no resentment towards them
See he in his soul mode I'm in my go go
Kanye West is in his introspective state of mind, while I embrace the energetic spirit of go-go music
Only thing in common is these fucking Matsumotos
The only similarity we share are our Japanese surnames, which is insignificant
Yeah live from the Soho and hov told me I'd blow Joe
I'm currently broadcasting from Soho and Jay-Z assured me of my future success
See I rap like a lifetime blown nose
My style of rapping is raw and unfiltered, akin to the sensation of blowing one's nose
All I know is I'm merely at Allah's nose
I humbly acknowledge that I am below Allah, but above most individuals
Meaning I'm lesser than a god but higher up than ya'll
This signifies that while I am not divine, I surpass average individuals
A lion in form Matt Leinart when firing the ball
I possess the prowess and strength of a lion, akin to Matt Leinart's skills in football
Pause Maya Angelou spawn abandoned and raised by Nas
Pause to acknowledge my poetic influence from Maya Angelou and being abandoned and nurtured by Nas
Raised by the sharks but I'm swimming with the prawns
Although I was raised in a ruthless environment, I now associate with individuals of lesser influence
I found my own lane meet Mr Folarin
I have discovered my unique path in life, introducing myself as Mr. Folarin
Lyrics © CTM Outlander Music LC
Written by: Craig Balmoris, Julian Nixon, Olubowale Akintimehin, Unknown Writer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matthew Pullen
Damn Wale way to COMPROMISE your artistic integrity
You sold out faster than Tampax
You AINT A PG LEGEND never was or will be
MONTGOMERY VILLAGE boy
Quince Orachrd HS with the rich kidds ,mediocre running. Back
Renèe
“Never will I ever utter never to myself fall in love with defeat from my endeavours on the shelf “ - BIG FACTS
Shane Best
HUGE FACTS!!!
Metal Fingers
Most Wale fans don’t even know about this joint
FWNCHEFD
It’s one his top 5 songs
Rose Kiss
This is how we fell in love with him 🤌🏾
Matthew Pullen
I probably don't know any songs that they know ..
When he signed MAybach Music,
I was done and lost all respect
Metal Fingers
@Matthew Pullen he had some great songs with Maybach Music including the first collab he did with Ross and Meek, Pandemonium. He did fall off in terms of album quality over the years, but that wasn’t because he signed with them. His latest album has been the best in a while.
Drip Auto
Facts
Aaron Brown
This shit still incredible like the first time i heard it ‼️
Fannie Jackson
Poetry