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
W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I'm gone, the whole city missed me
I'm on my UK shit
Get me
The eye of the Bengal shuffling my Ickey
Y'all Boomer, You need you an MD
Like Esiason
Dominating of the eastside shall commence
Yo, they try to block me like Munoz
I know my car is worth, like phone card
I get brain everyday, I'm a know it all
More birds then know it all cool wit y'all
Keep talking my know it knows none of y'all
Hit the green like running backs with no yards
No hoe, I'm playing with the floor
Overly Ingracious
They call me say word
Wiki say word
Just so happens mine they prefer
Yours is the fur
We ahead of the curve
And they all look a like, like the girls all virgins
Cut beats, I'm a fucking word surgeon
Scalpel and sponge
This work
Dance
Under the spotlights
Neither black nor white
It doesn't matter
Do the dance (do the dance)
As strong as you might
Working day and night
What ever happens
Do the dance (do the dance)
On my way back home
Now I'm in the zone
My simcards a bomb
They blowing up my phone
Kicks Hong Kong
Bape undergarment
The face of hip-hop
My DC audience
And you niggas will acknowledge this
Born again social life thanks climate
My climate is way higher then Lindsay Lohan nostrils on powder
Sorry Mark, I don't want offend your sister's good friend
But when my pen get in
It pretends in itself it's an entity
And it interferes and gets the best of me
So I'm one with that
I'm stuck with that
Y'all little ass niggas can't fuck with that
Nigga, this how it'd sound if a truck could rap
Little light in the ass
But I muscle rap
And I must admit
I bring creatine to the scene
Your developmental league don't see a team
I got a stitch little nigga
You can see my seam
Spit selvage my nigga, it's in my jeans
Kicking Mule, my denim raw
Kicks made you look, Nas
Riding in the black joint listening to Gnarles Barkley
On, DS y'all, DS flow like nothing y'all heard
Broke ass niggas all see before
Low cash niggas, broke ass niggas
I don't fuck with you all hoe ass niggas
I be Remy sippin ammo as sippin
On my 35-double-O ass niggas
Rittenhouse niggas, K-D-Y niggas, Trinidad niggas
I got y'all niggas
DC pimpin, uptown roamin
Moco 124 when I go out
PG, Ardmore where my niggas ball at
Say what you want Largo with my homie
Do this shit for all em
Smoking on a Marley
Rawer than a marlin
Fresh above the water
Say I'm not hot
Then your prolly on water
They prolly on water, they prolly on water
Prolly on water, they all on water
Acquire more broads then Zachary Morris
Y‘all all Screech to me
You released the beast and I play your little niggas like Lisa, shit
Y'all niggas don't worry me a least a bit
And a finger in the middle what I leave em with
I can't hear little niggas and he be's a bitch
What the least thing he has that don't know English
Fuck it, im done
Let me breathe hard like it was hard
Gone
Under the spotlights
Neither black nor white
It doesn't matter
Do the dance (do the dance)
As strong as you might
Working day and night
Whatever happens
Do the dance (do the dance)
In Wale's "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E," the rapper reflects on his success and asserts his domination over the rap game. The first verse contains vivid imagery and metaphors, as Wale compares himself to a Bengal tiger shuffling through the city, and references football player Boomer Esiason. He boasts about his knowledge and skills, claiming to get "brain everyday" and having "more birds" than his peers. The second verse delves into his personal life, mentioning his fashion choices and his busy schedule, with simcards constantly exploding his phone. Wale also acknowledges his growth as an artist, suggesting he has surpassed his competition, and ending the song with the line "Gone," indicating that he is finished proving himself.
Line by Line Meaning
When I'm gone, the whole city missed me
I am such an important person that when I am not present, an entire city feels the absence of my presence
I'm on my UK shit
I am enjoying the same lifestyle and success that I would experience if I was in the United Kingdom
Get me
Do you understand what I am saying?
The eye of the Bengal shuffling my Ickey
I am dressed in the same style as the famous Cincinnati Bengals' football player Ickey Woods, known for his iconic shuffle dance
Y'all Boomer, You need you an MD
If you want to be as successful as I am, you need to have a medical degree like former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason. 'MD' also sounds like 'Money and Dominance', which are the keys to success
Like Esiason
Similar to Boomer Esiason
Dominating of the eastside shall commence
I am about to start dominating the eastern side of the area
And I shall commence that I'm the truth yo
I am letting everyone know that I am the truth and my words hold power
Yo, they try to block me like Munoz
Like offensive lineman Anthony Munoz, people are trying to stop me from achieving greatness
I know my car is worth, like phone card
I am confident in the value of my car, to the point where I can compare it to the value of a phone card
I get brain everyday, I'm a know it all
I receive oral sex daily and therefore believe I know everything
More birds then know it all cool wit y'all
I am friends with more women than those who think they know everything about me and the women in my life
Keep talking my know it knows none of y'all
Despite what people may think they know about me, they do not truly understand my life or my experiences
Hit the green like running backs with no yards
I am smoking marijuana, which is also referred to as 'green', despite not achieving any significant results or success, similar to a running back with no yard gains
No hoe, I'm playing with the floor
Despite not having any women to entertain me, I am still having a good time dancing on the floor
Overly Ingracious
I am being excessively rude and ungrateful
They call me say word
People refer to me as 'say word', which means they are confirming or acknowledging what I have just said or done
Wiki say word
Even online sources, like Wikipedia, acknowledge my words or actions
Just so happens mine they prefer
My words or actions are preferred or more popular than others
Yours is the fur
Other people's words or actions are like the fur, or unimportant or insignificant, compared to mine
We ahead of the curve
We are ahead of our time and always forward-thinking
And they all look a like, like the girls all virgins
Everyone seems to be the same or similar, like how all the girls appear to be virgins
Cut beats, I'm a fucking word surgeon
I am a skilled and precise musician, cutting beats like a surgeon cuts tissue
Scalpel and sponge
Like a surgeon, I use a scalpel and sponge to carefully craft my music
This work
The music I create is a form of art and meticulously crafted
Under the spotlights
In the public eye or spotlight
Neither black nor white
It does not matter one's race or ethnicity
It doesn't matter
Nothing else is important besides dancing in this moment
Do the dance (do the dance)
Dance and enjoy yourself
As strong as you might
No matter how much you try
Working day and night
Working tirelessly
Whatever happens
No matter what
On my way back home
Returning home
Now I'm in the zone
I am now fully focused and attentive to my surroundings
My simcards a bomb
I am receiving numerous phone calls and messages
They blowing up my phone
My phone is constantly buzzing with calls and messages
Kicks Hong Kong
I am wearing shoes from Hong Kong
Bape undergarment
I am wearing underwear made by the popular Japanese brand Bape
The face of hip-hop
I am one of the most recognizable figures in hip-hop culture
My DC audience
The people of Washington, D.C. are my primary audience
And you niggas will acknowledge this
Everyone will recognize my talent
Born again social life thanks climate
I have reestablished myself in social circles thanks to changing circumstances
My climate is way higher then Lindsay Lohan nostrils on powder
I am in a more successful and higher status situation than Lindsay Lohan, who is known for drug abuse
Sorry Mark, I don't want offend your sister's good friend
I do not want to disrespect Mark's sister's good friend
But when my pen get in
When I start writing or creating music
It pretends in itself it's an entity
My music takes on a life of its own
And it interferes and gets the best of me
It becomes a dominant force in my life and overshadows everything else
So I'm one with that
I am embracing this aspect of my life
I'm stuck with that
I cannot change this part of myself
Y'all little ass niggas can't fuck with that
No one can compete with me or my talents
Nigga, this how it'd sound if a truck could rap
I am using a metaphor to say that I have a very powerful and voluminous voice in my music
Little light in the ass
Slightly skinny and not as muscular as others
But I muscle rap
I make up for my lack of physical muscle with the strength and power of my rapping ability
And I must admit
I have to acknowledge
I bring creatine to the scene
I bring a powerful energy and intensity to the music scene, like the supplement creatine
Your developmental league don't see a team
New musicians and rivals are not as talented or advanced as me
I got a stitch little nigga
I have a little bit of extra cash or resources
You can see my seam
My resources and wealth are visible and apparent
Spit selvage my nigga, it's in my jeans
I am a skilled rapper and my talents are innate, like the self-edge of my jeans
Kicking Mule, my denim raw
I am wearing high-quality and classic denim jeans
Kicks made you look, Nas
My shoes are so impressive that they command attention like the legendary rapper Nas
Riding in the black joint listening to Gnarles Barkley
I am cruising in my stylish car while listening to music by Gnarles Barkley
On, DS y'all, DS flow like nothing y'all heard
My flow or style of rapping is unlike anything you have ever heard before
Broke ass niggas all see before
People who are financially struggling recognize me and my success
Low cash niggas, broke ass niggas
People who do not have a lot of money in their pockets
I don't fuck with you all hoe ass niggas
I do not associate or engage with people who do not value or respect me
I be Remy sippin ammo as sippin
I am sipping on Remy Martin liquor and also spending my time creating music
On my 35-double-O ass niggas
I am successful and wealthy, with plenty of cash in my pockets
Rittenhouse niggas, K-D-Y niggas, Trinidad niggas
I am friends with or associated with people from various places and backgrounds
I got y'all niggas
I have your back or will support you
DC pimpin, uptown roamin
I am living my life and enjoying success in Washington, D.C.
Moco 124 when I go out
When I go out or party, I enjoy the scene and environment of Montgomery County, Maryland
PG, Ardmore where my niggas ball at
My friends and associates enjoy spending time and playing basketball in Prince George's County and Ardmore
Say what you want Largo with my homie
I am enjoying myself and hanging out with my friend in the Largo area, despite what anyone may say or think
Do this shit for all em
I am doing this for all of my friends and supporters
Smoking on a Marley
I am smoking marijuana
Rawer than a marlin
I am living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment
Fresh above the water
I am forging my own path and not following the typical or expected trajectory
Say I'm not hot
Some people may doubt or criticize me
Then your prolly on water
If you do not recognize my heat or talent, you must be under the influence of drugs or alcohol
They prolly on water, they prolly on water
They must be drunken or high
Prolly on water, they all on water
They are all probably drunk or high on drugs
Acquire more broads then Zachary Morris
I have more women in my life than the character Zachary Morris from Saved by the Bell
Y‘all all Screech to me
Everyone else is like the character Screech from Saved by the Bell, who is often seen as an outsider or weirdo
You released the beast and I play your little niggas like Lisa, shit
You have unleashed my talent and power in the music scene, and I am dominating over other musicians or competitors like the character Lisa on Saved by the Bell
Y'all niggas don't worry me a least a bit
I am not worried or concerned about my rivals or competitors
And a finger in the middle what I leave em with
I am leaving my competitors with a rude and dismissive gesture (flipping them off)
I can't hear little niggas and he be's a bitch
I do not listen to or respect people who are inferior or weak
What the least thing he has that don't know English
Even the most insignificant or unimportant person should at least know how to speak English fluently
Fuck it, im done
I am finished talking or rapping now
Let me breathe hard like it was hard
Let me take a deep breath because rapping or speaking was difficult or challenging
Gone
I am finished and moving on with my life
Contributed by Luke E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cozy_2X
12 years later thank you wale, wild how things come full circle
@pennflood2753
😅Ef😅dd😅fdc😅dddcccd
@pennflood2753
Dfd😅ddcd
@pennflood2753
Dcdfyi d😅😅
@Lacatahoyos
2023 and still one of the best songs i've ever listen to
@Domoniic444
WHY ISNT THIS ON SPOTIFY
@duncanwoolman-otis3214
Bruv, the whole tape..
@CoreyFromMinnesota
If I could only like just one video a year...
@Life_oftheavregeman
It’s he didn’t clear the beats so he can’t profit off of it
@jolness1
Licensing of the samples