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
White Linen
Wale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I be good til the fat woman sing a note
I'm tryna find life's meaning up in this Patron
I'm taking women to heaven and then I take em home
I'm waking up with something twenty something fly shit
Wanna stunt shit, all that new designer shit
Word, she said she love me but she lying
Shit I'm lying too! Told that bitch I love her for her mind
Bust that pussy open, turn that sofa to a fuckin pool
I'm playing Cody, smoking stogies, make the rhythm better
I'm looking good in everything, but she look good in leather
Call me cocky I love it, baby father a sucker
I'm longer than em I ain't talking no Rockin Republic
I don't shop in the public, ain't finna wait in line
This not a free throw, this easy as a lay-up line
If I got time, you got time too
You with a boss, baby, so when I move you move
Let's have some drinks, Malibu and how I do
And after that we do whatever we want to
Girl I'm in charge, that means I'm coolin
I'm on my own agenda, that means I'm coolin
Baby I'm large, that means I'm coolin
Dealin with a winner, that mean I'm coolin
Pimp-stroll on em, the pen cold on em
Couldn't fuck with it with a million nymphos on ya
Bitches tend to love a nigga with the most money
I tell em "honey, I know Cher, I'm so sunny"
And this is all pro-bono
All-Star weekend floor seats by the coaches
Flying all frequent, reclining on beaches
Half a millie on the road, y'all relyin on features
I ain't married, but I'm tryna find a keeper
If she cook and keep her vagina like a secret
And we fuck, I beast up and throw a little peace up
So peace out, I'mma get up with you in like three months
Word, absence will make the heart grow
With that said, I ain't around like my old combs
And I be drinking all the brown straight, no Coke
I'm chasing money, not the liquor, y'all ain't even close
So let's have a toast, everything fine
This ain't a free throw, this easy as a lay-up line
If I got time, you got time too
You with a boss, baby, so when I move you move
Let's have some drinks, Malibu and how I do
And after that we do whatever we want to
Girl I'm in charge, that means I'm coolin
I'm on my own agenda, that means I'm coolin
Baby I'm large, that means I'm coolin
Dealin with a winner, that mean I'm coolin
The lyrics to Wale feat. Ne-Yo's song "White Linen" depicts the luxurious lifestyle that comes with being a wealthy and successful artist. Wale illustrates his confidence and high self-esteem, bragging about his designer clothes, expensive cigars, and his prowess with women. He boasts about his sexual conquests and the ease with which he can get them, portraying himself as a powerful man in control of both his love life and his career. In contrast, Ne-Yo's contribution is less arrogant, instead focusing on the enjoyment that comes with living life on one's own terms. Together, the two artists describe a life of luxury, filled with endless parties, drinks, and endless possibilities.
However, beneath the surface, there seems to be a sense of emptiness and searching for meaning. Wale suggests that he is trying to find the meaning of life, even as he indulges in his luxurious lifestyle. This creates a sense of tension between the desire for pleasure and the desire for a fulfilling life. Perhaps the women that Wale sleeps with are just a temporary distraction from the deeper issues of his life. Overall, the lyrics portray the complexity of a life of success, with both its highs and lows.
Line by Line Meaning
Fly nigga couldn't tell me nothing different homes
I'm confident and self-assured, no one can shake me from my beliefs.
And I be good til the fat woman sing a note
I'm in good shape and successful until the very end.
I'm tryna find life's meaning up in this Patron
I'm searching for purpose and fulfillment in drinking Patron.
I'm taking women to heaven and then I take em home
I'm seducing and satisfying women, then leaving them.
I'm waking up with something twenty something fly shit
I'm waking up feeling cool and stylish in my twenties.
Wanna stunt shit, all that new designer shit
I want to show off and flex my wealth with expensive fashion.
Word, she said she love me but she lying
She claims to love me, but I know she's not genuine.
Shit I'm lying too! Told that bitch I love her for her mind
I'm also lying when I tell her I love her, saying it for the sake of it.
Well that's quite true, bust-a-move, head game lover boo
But it's partially true, I'm enjoying sexual activity with her.
Bust that pussy open, turn that sofa to a fuckin pool
I'm engaging in rough sex on the couch, causing a mess.
I'm playing Cody, smoking stogies, make the rhythm better
I'm enjoying life by playing music and smoking cigars.
I'm looking good in everything, but she look good in leather
I look great in any outfit, but she looks especially attractive in leather.
Call me cocky I love it, baby father a sucker
I'm confident and love being called out on it, while her baby father is inferior.
I'm longer than em I ain't talking no Rockin Republic
I have a larger penis than other men, and it's not just because of my clothing brand.
I don't shop in the public, ain't finna wait in line
I don't waste my time shopping among common people and waiting in lines.
This not a free throw, this easy as a lay-up line
This is effortless, like a simple lay-up in basketball, not a challenging free throw.
If I got time, you got time too
I'm busy and important, but you should make time for me too.
You with a boss, baby, so when I move you move
I'm in charge and you should follow my lead.
Let's have some drinks, Malibu and how I do
Let's drink Malibu rum, which is my preferred drink.
And after that we do whatever we want to
After we drink, we're free to do whatever we please.
Girl I'm in charge, that means I'm coolin
I'm the one calling the shots and feeling cool.
I'm on my own agenda, that means I'm coolin
I'm focused on my own goals and not swayed by others, feeling cool.
Baby I'm large, that means I'm coolin
I'm rich and influential, and that makes me feel cool.
Dealin with a winner, that mean I'm coolin
I'm interacting with another successful person, which is cool.
Pimp-stroll on em, the pen cold on em
I swagger around like a pimp and write with a skillful pen.
Couldn't fuck with it with a million nymphos on ya
Even with countless sexually rampant women around me, I still can't be bothered with their advances.
Bitches tend to love a nigga with the most money
Women are attracted to wealth and financial success in men.
I tell em "honey, I know Cher, I'm so sunny"
I boast about knowing famous people, and the resulting attention makes me feel happy.
And this is all pro-bono
I'm doing this all for free, without any expectation of payment.
All-Star weekend floor seats by the coaches
I have premium floor seats at the NBA All-Star game near the coaches.
Flying all frequent, reclining on beaches
I frequently fly to exotic beach locations, where I can rest and relax.
Half a millie on the road, y'all relyin on features
I'm making a lot of money from touring and performing, while others depend on collaborations to succeed.
I ain't married, but I'm tryna find a keeper
I haven't found a lifelong partner yet, but I'm searching for someone I can commit to.
If she cook and keep her vagina like a secret
If she can cook well and keep her sexual activities private, she's the type of woman I'm looking for.
And we fuck, I beast up and throw a little peace up
When we have sex, I become aggressive and dominant, but afterward, I show a peaceful gesture.
So peace out, I'mma get up with you in like three months
Goodbye for now, I'll see you again in around three months.
Word, absence will make the heart grow
By staying apart from each other, our love and feelings will grow stronger.
With that said, I ain't around like my old combs
In relation to that, I'm not around like my old hair combs.
And I be drinking all the brown straight, no Coke
I prefer drinking brown liquor straight without any mixers like Coke.
I'm chasing money, not the liquor, y'all ain't even close
My main goal is financial success, not drinking or partying, and you're nowhere near my level.
So let's have a toast, everything fine
Let's raise our glasses and celebrate, everything is going well.
This ain't a free throw, this easy as a lay-up line
This task is simple and straightforward, like effortlessly making a lay-up in basketball, not a tough free throw.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OLUBOWALE AKINTIMEHIN, JAMIL PIERRE, S. CHIMERE SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jay Gee
This brings me back to them high school days, back when we had no worries & no responsibilities... Great song👍🏻
Beary
Man fr
Beal Reactionz
Definitely brings back to 2011 high school days
Live From The Motherland
Facts
Tyshell Washington
Cant go wrong with Neyo 🔥🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍😍
CoastCity
This song would've blown up on the radio in the DMV.
Michelle Haywood
This Song will always be my Favorite🎧🎧
Kendall Jones
Yea this song is my fav play this in my phone like crazy ne yo killed this track no body play this the the way it should be what a song im out
Michael Murena
Fasho me to babie, 305 checking in wit u come to Miami bay $$
DeeRock91 Cobbs
Mines too