Wale

 

 

 

Wale

 

 

 

Olubowale Victor Akintimehin (Wale) was born September 21, 1984 (Wikipedia). There's not really a lot of 'real' hip hop music today. However, Wale is one of the few that keep hip hop meaningful with hits such as 'Bad' and 'Love Hate Thing'. It wasn't until Bad that I started to listen to Wale and I remember at first not liking that song. My sister would always listen to it and I would turn it every time. One day while we were on a road trip, I took her phone and fell in love listening to it. I replayed the song about 9 times and got lost into the beat and the message it gave. I personally couldn't relate to it, but it's deliverance was so powerful I understood it. Wale is from Washington, D.C where his song 'Dig Dug (Shake It)' became a local hit. He graduating from Quince Orchard High School and tried out college but couldn't keep up academically, which was no problem because of his future success (Wikipedia). Wale's first recording 'Rhyme of the Century' was his first song to be played on the radio. Following, 'Good Girls' and a cover to Lily Allen's 'Smile' got Wale national attention, including his collaborations with artists such as J.Cole (my favorite), Bun B, Talib Kweli, Curren$y, and others (Wikipedia). He soon joined Interscope records where he did samples with rappers like Lupe Fiasco Kardinal Offishall. However in 2009 Wale joined the record label 'Roc Nation', the domination of all record labels led by Jay-Z carrying artists such as Rihanna, J.Cole, and Melanie Fiona. On this record label, Wale released his album 'Ambition', an album featuring popular artists, helping him climb to the top. Afterwards, Wale went on an Ambition tour (Wikipedia) . It was then that I heard of Wale, but still didn't know of him good enough to get into his music. I just remember my brother listening to it and thinking he was 'okay'. I drew to Wale when I heard his freestyle to 'Cashin' Out', a song by a underground rapper. I personally believe any rapper that can fluently freestyle has a natural true talent. I began to look into his other songs and came to realize why so many liked him. His deliverance, flow, and lyrics all came to a perfect harmony. Then I heard bad and categorized him with the 'real rappers' of today. The way he smoothly carries out his message through his songs is addictive to the ears. He continues to stay in the limelight of Hip Hop with collaborations and albums.

 "Wale." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2014