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 Black N Gold
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's toast
Let's celebrate life, let's celebrate wealth,
and bypass plight, for the night.
Drinks up
Back like I never ever left in the first
Wale a (Redskin?), the best on the earth, breath breath full of purp
Two course when you mention my gear,
lil low low lil showboat, nigga (incoherent)
Rosey for the hoes in the V.I, P-P.I, gotta do it more like T.I.
Whatever You Like, it's whatever tonight
I might get a pipe unless you pedaling bikes
I mean cycling
I was liking it
Hit me up in a couple days, we can try again
I need henny on the rock, my Queen top notch
And I keep a fly girl like Jenny from the block
Got H2 in me, Flossburg with me
Throw a round game, Strasburg pitching
Tonight no pictures, everything's straight
And we gonna toast up for the niggas that hate
And we gonna drink dark, we gonna take it to they face
And I got them gold bottles, first place
No metal here, I'm well aware
Y'all Mario brothers, I'm Metal Gear
I don't ever fear nothing, I'm forever here.
Hands up DJ, let let 'em hear
[Chorus]
If you're not really here
Then the stars don't even matter
I wanna be next to you
Black and gold, black and gold, black and gold
[Repeat]
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- (HOES)
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- (HOES)
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- champagne for
the- champagne for the (HOES)
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- (HOES)
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- (HOES)
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- champagne for
the- champagne for the (HOES)
I'm faded and ya'll ain't it
I'm Ninja Gaiden and ya'll lil Jayden
It's Roc Nation, this my team
Going "This my team" then I ditch ya'll, late in
Hey man ya'll just fakin, and cheap hoes love a nigga like H&M
Rich hoes love a nigga like (rapists?)
I don't know what ya'll heard, but Hip Hop ain't dead
I could change a broad's life in about an hour
I turn ducks into bucks- Luke Ridnour
Ya'll had your run, don't run off
Watch a young nigga operate (?)
I don't really like the Hollywood scene,
The dudes all fake and the girls are bulimic
The drinks too weak, what the fuck is a Balini?
But you would never think if you seen it on TV
D&V what I rep, all GP
I make it rain Sean Capp, GP
I make words come alive, GP
Create life with the beats, Alicia Keys
'fore we do the unthinkable
I'm gonna need a tree, a freak, and a chicken too
Whatchu thinkin boo?
Whatchu want love?
Fuck a coastal, getcha getcha getcha own cup
[Chorus]
If you're not really here
Then the stars don't even matter
I wanna be next to you
Black and gold, black and gold, black and gold
[Repeat]
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- (HOES)
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- (HOES)
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- champagne for
the- champagne for the (HOES)
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- (HOES)
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- (HOES)
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- champagne for
the- champagne for the (HOES)
The lyrics to Wale’s song The Black N Gold is about celebrating wealth and success in the company of friends while ignoring any troubles or hardships. The song starts with a toast to celebrate life and wealth while acknowledging the struggles they face as African Americans. Wale then introduces himself as a legendary artist who is the best in the world and who is ending the careers of his competitors. He makes reference to his expensive taste and having a collection of Gold bottles while taking a shot at his rivals who he refers to as “Mario brothers”. Wale boasts of his fearlessness and unbeatable nature, noting that he is here to stay forever.
The chorus repeats the phrase “black and gold”, which is a reference to his hometown team The Washington Redskins, whose colors are burgundy and gold. The message of the song is about living life to the fullest despite challenges and celebrating success and wealth.
Overall, The Black N Gold is a party song that encourages the listener to celebrate their success in life without fear or shame, and Wale emphasizes his dominance in the rap game.
Line by Line Meaning
Here ye here ye
Attention everyone, listen up
Let's toast
Let's raise our glasses and drink
Let's celebrate life, let's celebrate wealth, and bypass plight, for the night.
Let's enjoy and appreciate life and money, and forget about any problems we may have, just for tonight.
Drinks up
Raise your glasses again and drink more.
Back like I never ever left in the first
I'm back and better than ever, as if I never left at all.
Wale a (Redskin?), the best on the earth, breath breath full of purp
I'm Wale, possibly a player for the Washington Redskins, but regardless, I'm one of the best and proud of my expensive purple Kush.
A legend out here, and I'm ending careers by the end of my year
I'm becoming a legendary figure and making other rappers' careers end before the year is over.
Two course when you mention my gear, lil low low lil showboat, nigga (incoherent)
When you talk about my expensive clothes and accessories, I get a little showy and loud, but I don't care.
Rosey for the hoes in the V.I, P-P.I, gotta do it more like T.I.
I'm buying Rosé champagne for the ladies in the VIP area, and I need to keep doing it like the rapper T.I. does.
Whatever You Like, it's whatever tonight
I'll follow the ladies' lead and do whatever they want tonight.
I might get a pipe unless you pedaling bikes I mean cycling
I might smoke a pipe of weed, unless you're exercising by riding a bike, which is cycling.
I was liking it Hit me up in a couple days, we can try again
I enjoyed spending time with someone, so they should contact me in a few days to make plans again.
I need henny on the rock, my Queen top notch
I want Hennessy on the rocks, and my girlfriend is of the highest quality.
And I keep a fly girl like Jenny from the block
I always keep a stylish and attractive girl around me, like Jennifer Lopez from her song 'Jenny from the Block.'
Got H2 in me, Flossburg with me
I have hydrogen (possibly referring to drugs) in my system, and I'm with someone from Flossenburg, Germany.
Throw a round game, Strasburg pitching
Let's play a drinking game and Steven Strasburg from the Washington Nationals team will participate.
Tonight no pictures, everything's straight And we gonna toast up for the niggas that hate
Don't take any photographs tonight, everything is going well, and we'll lift our glasses in honor of those who dislike us.
And we gonna drink dark, we gonna take it to they face And I got them gold bottles, first place
We'll drink dark liquor and pour it in our faces, and I have special gold bottles that represent being in first place.
No metal here, I'm well aware Y'all Mario brothers, I'm Metal Gear
I don't have any weapons or metal objects, but I know what's going on. You all are like the characters in the game Mario, while I'm more advanced and dangerous like the game Metal Gear.
I don't ever fear nothing, I'm forever here.
I'm never afraid of anything, and I'll always be around.
Hands up DJ, let let 'em hear
DJ, put your hands up and let them hear the music!
If you're not really here Then the stars don't even matter I wanna be next to you Black and gold, black and gold, black and gold
If you're not with me, nothing else matters. I want to be near you, surrounded by the colors black and gold.
Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- (HOES) Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- (HOES) Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- champagne for the- champagne for the (HOES) Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- (HOES) Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- (HOES) Henny for my niggas, champagne for the- champagne for the- champagne for the (HOES)
Let's drink Hennessy cognac for my male friends, and champagne for the ladies. All of us will drink champagne together.
I'm faded and ya'll ain't it I'm Ninja Gaiden and ya'll lil Jayden It's Roc Nation, this my team Going "This my team" then I ditch ya'll, late in
I'm becoming drunk, and none of you are on my level. I'm a master like the game character Ninja Gaiden, and you're just like Jaden Smith. I belong to Roc Nation and consider them my team, but I might abandon you later.
Hey man ya'll just fakin, and cheap hoes love a nigga like H&M Rich hoes love a nigga like (rapists?)
You're all just pretending or 'faking it,' and some women who don't have much money enjoy a man who wears clothes from H&M. Wealthy women enjoy men who do questionable things for fame or status.
I don't know what ya'll heard, but Hip Hop ain't dead I could change a broad's life in about an hour I turn ducks into bucks- Luke Ridnour
Despite rumors, Hip Hop music is not dead. I can improve a woman's life in one hour, and I turn bad situations into profitable ones, as Luke Ridnour did in his NBA career.
Ya'll had your run, don't run off Watch a young nigga operate (?)
You had your chance, don't leave. Instead, watch me, a young rapper, do my thing.
I don't really like the Hollywood scene, The dudes all fake and the girls are bulimic The drinks too weak, what the fuck is a Balini? But you would never think if you seen it on TV
I don't enjoy the false world of Hollywood, where men are insincere and women may have eating disorders, and most drinks aren't strong enough. I don't even know what a Bellini is, which shows how fake TV can be.
D&V what I rep, all GP I make it rain Sean Capp, GP I make words come alive, GP Create life with the beats, Alicia Keys 'fore we do the unthinkable I'm gonna need a tree, a freak, and a chicken too Whatchu thinkin boo? Whatchu want love? Fuck a coastal, getcha getcha getcha own cup
I represent the areas of DC (D) and Virginia (V), and everything I do is Grand Prix (GP). I have money to throw around like Sean Combs, and I'm good at rapping and making music like Alicia Keys. Before we do something crazy, I want a drink, a sexual partner, and food. What are you thinking, love? Forget about the coast, and get your own drink.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jovanny Alvarado
Woah this song was dope back then I’m 26 now
ShiFtY 1
Still dope.. I'm 33 🤣
Kabir S.
This is the type of song that makes me thing Wale is something special..keep going at it
EctomorFITT
"I turn ducks into bucks...Luke Ridnour" awesome!
Elijah M Pendergrass
this is my favorite mixtape by Wale.. hes come so far and im proud of him
Torimani
How can someone rip Sam Sparro and make it sound so damn good?! I give props to Wale because 1) black & gold is like the best song ever and 2) he killed the sample. LOVE Wale!!!!
Brandon Van
"I turn ducks into bucks, luke ridnour" He's raw.
Madeline W
This song is mind blowing, love it.
R Two
This feels something they listen to in Baltimore.
Format Bro
this album cover go hard.