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
Waledance
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
Chorus:
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)
2nd Verse:
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
Huh Huh
Huh Huh
Huh Huh
Huh Huh
Gone
Chorus:
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)
The lyrics of Wale's song Waledance are filled with references and metaphors that touch upon various subjects, including cars, football players, socialites, and clothing brands. Throughout the song, Wale seems to be asserting his dominance as a rapper dominating the hip hop scene. He mentions his worth, his creativity, and his unique vision for music that gives him an edge over other lesser-known rappers. He also talks about his social life and how it has changed in light of his success. The chorus of the song encourages listeners to let loose and dance regardless of their race or social status.
The lyrics of Waledance can be interpreted in many ways. The references to Bengals, phones, Linsey Lohan and Stitches can be seen as slurs towards the people he is calling out in the song. He also mentions "socialites" which hints that he's possibly referring to famous people or those who like to be around famous people. Additionally, Wale clearly discusses his love of fashion and name-drops a number of designer brands. He notes that he is stylistically ahead of the curve, which is possible given that Wale is known for embracing new and emerging fashion trends. Eventually, the song concludes with Wale realizing his powerful ability to rap and his dedication to his craft.
Line by Line Meaning
When I'm gone, the whole city missed me
Wale is so important and significant that his absence is felt by everyone in the city
I'm on my UK shit
Wale is embracing a UK sound/style in his music
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
Wale is referencing former Bengals player Ickey Woods and former Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason, saying that in order to be successful on the east side (of DC), you need to be as dominant as they were
And I shall commence that I'm the truth yo
Wale is affirming that he is the best and nobody can dispute this
Yo, they try to block me like Munoz
Wale compares himself to Anthony Muñoz, who was known for blocking his opponents in football, to say that others are trying to block him from achieving success
I know my car is worth, like phone card
Wale recognizes the value and worth of his car just like someone would recognize their credit on a phone card
I get brain everyday, I'm a know it all
Wale is saying that he receives oral sex frequently and therefore knows everything there is to know about it
More birds then know it all cool wit y'all
Wale has more women interested in him than all his haters combined
Keep talking my know it knows none of y'all
Wale's haters don't know anything that he's dealing with, so they should stop talking about him
Hit the green like running backs with no yards No hoe, I'm playing with the floor
Wale is smoking marijuana and not focusing on women
Overly Ingracious
Wale is being rude and ungrateful
They call me say word Wiki say word Just so happens mine they prefer Yours is the fur We ahead of the curve
Wale is being recognized as the coolest and most popular person, compared to the other person's unfashionable style
And they all look a like, like the girls all virgins
Wale thinks that everyone looks the same and he is distinguishing himself
Cut beats, I'm a fucking word surgeon Scalpel and sponge This work Dance
Wale has a unique talent for manipulating beats and making music, and he views it as a surgical art form
Under the spotlights Neither black nor white It doesn't matter Do the dance (do the dance)
When you're under the scrutiny of others, your race doesn't matter, just dance and enjoy the moment
As strong as you might Working day and night Whatever happens Do the dance (do the dance)
No matter how strong and hardworking you are, bad things can happen, but in those moments just dance and enjoy life
On my way back home Now I'm in the zone My simcards a bomb They blowing up my phone
Wale is finally feeling good and focused, and people are trying to contact him
Kicks Hong Kong Bape undergarment The face of hip-hop My DC audience
Wale's fashion choices are unique and Asian-inspired, and his audience in DC loves him
And you niggas will acknowledge this
Wale's haters will have to acknowledge his talent and success
Born again social life thanks climate
Wale is able to start fresh and rebuild his social life due to his change in attitude and atmosphere
My climate is way higher then Lindsay Lohan nostrils on powder
Wale's mood and energy level are very high and Lindsay Lohan's drug use can't compare
I got a stitch little nigga You can see my seam
Wale is confident in his style and he's not afraid to show it
Spit selvage my nigga, it's in my jeans Kicking Mule, my denim raw Kicks made you look, Nas
Wale is proud of his fashion choices and brands, which includes selvage and Kicking Mule denim
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
Wale is riding around listening to music, and he has a refreshing new sound that others haven't heard yet
Low cash niggas, broke ass niggas I don't fuck with you all hoe ass niggas
Wale doesn't want to associate with those who are broke or low-class
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
Wale is drinking Remy Martin and has many friends from different parts of the country, but he still reps DC and his friends in the area
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
Wale thinks he's the best and anyone who disagrees must be on drugs. He boasts about having more women than a famous TV character and compares others to the less popular Screech
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
Wale is in control and dominant over his haters, and he dismisses them while flipping them off. He doesn't even pay attention to those who insult him in a language he doesn't understand
Let me breathe hard like it was hard Huh Huh Huh Huh Huh Huh Huh
Wale is getting worked up and taking a deep breath
Gone
The song is ending
Contributed by Caden M. 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