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 Helium Balloon
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I agree we've gone distant, my new location the charts
Naw, mm, can't count the days, but let's just say five
Years, coming of age, it make you blow by your day job
So cry for me, wild for me
It's a horror story, eyes 20/20s that I-M-E your normal C
And I'd be different gettin' diplomas in peace
But gettin' applause and across, I'm hittin' Diplo for a beat
In a world of dopplegangers, niggas ain't worth the copy
You capiche? You got me cold
Niggas'll fly you up this high, won't let you fly to the moon
Goin' up!
They love your moves made 'til you make moves
Achievin' new feats every few 8 shoes
16, took a nigga dream different
Had SOBs lookin' like it's new Supreme in it
See that the line's been beastin'
The main attraction, I got 'em hangin' their cleats up
I've been keepin' it G
It's levels to this fellow, hello I resemble the cheat codes
Some shit good, some shit fly
Some love to see you blow, they don't want see you pop
Shit good, some shit nah
Some shit recycled like second timers in Tour de France
First you picked up, now you pick the part
You get too fun 'til your core fans au revoir
They like, "You stuck with us, cause you let him fly"
Swear this life is like a helium balloon, I'm sorry
But I gotta fly
Gave you a contract, stay true through all that
Came through with Ross, writin' bangers for y'all
But I ain't lose my content, fuck all that nonsense
Diverse with rappin', I'm a writer with passion
Tell the purist that laugh I don't reach out for daps
Cause "No Hands" triple platinum
Better writings for retail, why not see my detail?
Gettin' box office spins, only box I fit in
Is by thigh on a female
So they hatin' me for that, sayin' I just make women songs
It's perfect style every, versatile got me right where her walls at
Still know what my core needs, so fuck who ignores me
For I need niggas, I purchased 3 mirrors and show y'all what's for me
Why they give a fuck about the songs I write?
As long as my thugs and my fans been nice
Movin' forward with my life
Crucify me, man of Jesus Christ
Man I do 'em no favor
Cause 'nough of them are traitor
Them a real bite, biter
Them a try take your glory and your energy
Buffalo soldier
Send us a sentimental gangster
I mean a sinner, boy me 'fraid of
Them are try take your glory and your energy
Whatever, tell 'em it's whatever
Wanna see me good or never see me better?
Fuck 'em, can't say nothin'
Cause the same hand heal you might cut you
Fuck 'em, you ain't sayin' nothin'
Cause the same hand heal you might cut you
Whatever, tell 'em it's whatever
Wanna see me good or never see me better?
In his song "The Helium Balloon," Wale expresses his disillusionment with the music industry, particularly with how quickly artists can rise and fall in popularity. He believes that success is fleeting and that people are fickle. The title of the song alludes to the fragility of fame and the idea that it can slip away just as easily as a helium balloon floats away.
Throughout the song, Wale reflects on his own journey in the music industry, noting that he used to rely on word-of-mouth to establish his reputation but now he is focused on climbing the charts. He acknowledges that he has been successful, but he is also aware that his fame may be temporary. The line "I gotta fly" suggests that he is not sure where his career will take him next.
Wale is also critical of the music industry itself, pointing out the lack of originality and authenticity. He notes that many artists are just copying each other and that the industry does not value true talent. Despite these criticisms, Wale remains committed to his craft and is determined to stay true to himself, no matter what the industry may demand of him.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to put my faith in the yarn, and now communication is gone
I used to rely on words and communication to express myself, but now it feels like no one understands me.
I agree we've gone distant, my new location the charts
I understand that I've become popular and famous, but it's also made me feel disconnected from my roots and the people who knew me before.
Naw, mm, can't count the days, but let's just say five
I can't remember exactly when it happened, but it's been about five years since I've felt like myself.
Years, coming of age, it make you blow by your day job
As I've grown older and become successful, my regular job or responsibilities have become less important to me.
So cry for me, wild for me
My life may seem like a dream, but it's also come with its share of pain and struggle.
It's a horror story, eyes 20/20s that I-M-E your normal C
Despite having perfect vision and clarity on what's happened, it's still a scary and unsettling situation.
And I'd be different gettin' diplomas in peace
If I had chosen a more 'normal' path in life, getting a college degree and living a peaceful life, I would be completely different.
But gettin' applause and across, I'm hittin' Diplo for a beat
Instead, I've found success in music and performing, and have even worked with famous producers like Diplo.
Slight work to Dahi, it's a purpose y'all see
Collaborating with other artists and producers is easy for me and has a purpose in my career.
In a world of dopplegangers, niggas ain't worth the copy
Even though there are many people trying to copy my style or imitate me, they can't compare to the real thing.
You capiche? You got me cold
Do you understand what I'm saying? You're not really listening or connecting with me.
Niggas'll fly you up this high, won't let you fly to the moon
People will support you and help you achieve success up to a point, but they won't always let you go as far as you can.
Goin' up!
Despite the challenges and setbacks, I'm continuing to climb higher and achieve more.
They love your moves made 'til you make moves
People love to see you make progress and achieve your goals, until you start making moves they don't agree with.
Achievin' new feats every few 8 shoes
Every time I make progress or achieve something, it feels like I'm taking a step forward in my career.
16, took a nigga dream different
When I was 16 years old, my dream of what I wanted to do with my life changed completely.
Had SOBs lookin' like it's new Supreme in it
I've played at famous venues like SOBs and been considered one of the best new artists in my genre.
See that the line's been beastin'
I can see that the competition in my industry has been getting tougher and more intense.
The main attraction, I got 'em hangin' their cleats up
I'm the main focus and attraction in my industry, and I've even made other people retire or give up on their careers.
I've been keepin' it G
I've remained true to myself and my roots, and haven't changed for the sake of money or fame.
It's levels to this fellow, hello I resemble the cheat codes
I'm not like everyone else, and it feels like I have an unfair advantage or cheat code to success.
Some shit good, some shit fly
Some of the things I've done or created have been really good and well-received, while others were just OK or didn't quite hit the mark.
Some love to see you blow, they don't want see you pop
Some people only support you or pay attention to you when you're doing well and achieving success, but don't want to see you fail or lose.
Shit good, some shit nah
Some of my work has been successful and well-received, while others didn't quite hit the mark or weren't as popular.
Some shit recycled like second timers in Tour de France
Some people try to copy or imitate my style, or use ideas that have already been done before, like cyclists in the Tour de France using old bikes.
First you picked up, now you pick the part
People used to like and support me, but now they're just looking for flaws or mistakes to criticize.
You get too fun 'til your core fans au revoir
When you become too focused on having fun and making money, you risk losing your original fans and supporters.
They like, "You stuck with us, cause you let him fly"
Some people think I owe them or should limit my success, because they helped me achieve it in some way.
Swear this life is like a helium balloon, I'm sorry
Sometimes my life feels light and floating, like a helium balloon, and it's hard to control or hold onto.
But I gotta fly
Despite the challenges and obstacles, I have to keep moving forward and pursuing my dreams.
Gave you a contract, stay true through all that
When I signed a contract with my record label, I promised to stay true to myself and my style.
Came through with Ross, writin' bangers for y'all
I've collaborated with famous artists like Rick Ross and written hit songs that my fans love.
But I ain't lose my content, fuck all that nonsense
Despite my success and collaborations, I haven't lost my focus or original content.
Diverse with rappin', I'm a writer with passion
I'm not just a rapper or performer, I'm a writer and artist who cares about producing quality work.
Tell the purist that laugh I don't reach out for daps
I don't need the approval or support of traditionalists or purists in my industry to know that I'm making good music.
Cause "No Hands" triple platinum
Even though some people don't like or approve of my music, I've still achieved a lot of commercial success.
Better writings for retail, why not see my detail?
Even though some people think my music is just for mainstream audiences and not very artistic, there's actually a lot of detail and quality in my work.
Gettin' box office spins, only box I fit in
My music is being played and consumed by a lot of people, and I'm fitting into a certain category or mould.
Is by thigh on a female
Even though some people criticize me for making music that's sexually suggestive or objectifying women, it's a part of who I am and what I like to do.
So they hatin' me for that, sayin' I just make women songs
Some people don't like my music or style, and think that I'm only successful because I make songs that appeal to women.
It's perfect style every, versatile got me right where her walls at
But I know that I have a unique and versatile style that resonates with a lot of people, even if some people don't appreciate it.
Still know what my core needs, so fuck who ignores me
Even though I've faced a lot of criticism and negativity, I still know what my core values and needs are, and I won't let anyone ignore or diminish that.
For I need niggas, I purchased 3 mirrors and show y'all what's for me
I don't need anyone else to validate or support me, but I'm happy to show people who I am and what I'm all about.
Why they give a fuck about the songs I write?
Some people seem to care a lot about the music I make and what I'm saying in my songs.
As long as my thugs and my fans been nice
But at the end of the day, what's most important to me is that the people who support me are happy and satisfied with my work.
Movin' forward with my life
Instead of worrying about criticism or negativity, I'm focusing on moving forward and continuing to grow in my career.
Crucify me, man of Jesus Christ
Even though people may criticize or judge me, I'm not going to let it bring me down or keep me from pursuing my dreams.
Man I do 'em no favor
I don't owe anyone anything or need their approval to be happy or successful.
Cause 'nough of them are traitor
Some of the people who claim to support me or be my fans are actually disloyal or dishonest.
Them a real bite, biter
These people are just trying to copy or imitate me, rather than being true to themselves.
Them a try take your glory and your energy
These people are just trying to take credit for my success or steal my energy and excitement.
Buffalo soldier
I'm like a fighter or soldier, standing my ground and refusing to be defeated or broken down by negativity or criticism.
Send us a sentimental gangster
I'm not just tough or hard, I'm also deeply invested in my art and music.
I mean a sinner, boy me 'fraid of
I'm not perfect or flawless, but I'm not afraid of my flaws or mistakes either.
Them are try take your glory and your energy
People are always looking to take advantage of or diminish your success and energy, but you have to keep moving forward anyway.
Whatever, tell 'em it's whatever
I'm not going to let negativity or criticism hold me back or stop me from pursuing my dreams.
Wanna see me good or never see me better?
People may only want to see me do well up to a point, but I'm going to keep striving to be even better and more successful.
Fuck 'em, can't say nothin'
People who don't support or believe in me have nothing to say that can bring me down or stop me.
Cause the same hand heal you might cut you
Be careful who you trust or rely on, because the same person who helps you succeed could also be the one to hurt you or hold you back.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ADAM KING FEENEY, CHESTER HANSEN, DACOURY NATCHE, OLUBOWALE AKINTIMEHIN, SONNY UWAEZOUKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind