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| Wale |
This week has been great for listening to music for me. Not
too busy, and just enough time alone to really think about what I was hearing.
Some might find it interesting that this week I listened to a few rap music albums.
Why interesting? Well, several years ago I would never listen to an entire
album of rap music. Of course, I would take time to hear a song or two, but
never an entire album. At the time I did not feel an entire album of rap was
necessary to form an opinion of a rap artist. However, I have changed my way of
thinking, and also occupation – music blogger. With this blog I am required to
listen in a way to fully understand the music, the writer, and artist. Many
times all three are the same person wearing three creative hats. Long before I
began contributing to this blog I thought rap artists were generally very creative. Words
are very powerful. Understanding how to use words means that an individual can
either help or hurt others. Sometimes the effect can be felt much more than
actions. The rap artist of today works to reach an audience and communicate
feelings, ideas and thoughts all through a carefully crafted use of words. In
order to demonstrate, this week I chose to feature American rapper Wale.
Over a period of several previous months, the rap music
community has been buzzing about the social media beef between rappers Drake
and Meek Mill. Fights that play out on Twitter are a common occurrence among
modern-day entertainers, but for rap artists the disagreements usually escalate
to musical jabs called “diss” tracks. That is exactly what happened in the case
of Drake and Meek Mill. As with many disagreements though, a third party is pulled
into the middle of the fracas. In this case it was Meek Mill friend and label
mate Wale. Well, most fans of one or all three involved know what happened and
where everyone stands currently. If you don’t know, we will revisit the
situation at the end of this post. For now, let’s discuss Wale and his musical
works.
Wale, a Nigerian American, was born Olubowale Victor
Akintimehin in Northwest, Washington, D.C. on September 21, 1984. His parents
are of the Yoruba ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria and came to the United
States from Austria in 1979. Wale's family first lived in Northwest,
Washington, DC before moving to Montgomery County when Wale was 10. He
graduated from Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland in 2002 and
later moved to Largo, Maryland in Prince George's County. Wale attended Robert
Morris University and Virginia State University on football scholarships, then
transferred to Bowie State University but dropped out due to academic reasons.
Wale has been working in the music industry for very close
to ten years, which started locally in the Washington D.C. area. In March 2008,
Wale signed a joint venture deal with Mark Ronson's Allido Records and
Interscope. On November 10, 2009 Wale's first album, Attention Deficit debuted
at the number 21 spot on the Billboard 200. The first single off Attention
Deficit was "Chillin", featuring Lady Gaga, followed by "Pretty
Girls" featuring Gucci Mane and Weensey and "World Tour"
featuring Jazmine Sullivan. I went back this week and listened to this album,
and found much of the foundation for who the artist Wale is today. In AllMusic Dave
Jeffries said that Wale is, “A quick-witted rapper able to deliver punchlines
at breakneck speed.” He added, “the hyperactive album is filled with grand
statements, provocative jokes, and busy productions, and yet, it's an
accessible listen first time out, thanks mostly to Wale's natural delivery and
quirky sense of humor.” I feel Jeffries description is right on the money when
it comes to Attention Deficit. Truly a great launching place for the talented rapper.
The difference between Wale in 2009 and Wale today is
simple: he has improved as a rapper, and also has grown a few years older and wiser. Along the way he picked up a Grammy
nomination in 2013 for his hit song, “Lotus Flower Bomb” featuring Miguel. Earlier
this year he released his fourth studio album The Album About Nothing. It’s an interesting
fact that Wale is a big fan of Jerry Seinfeld. Wale used a lot of dialogue from
Seinfeld throughout the album. In speaking further about Seinfeld’s role on the
album Wale stated, "He's the narrator. He's essentially like my
conscience. You can look at him as kind of explaining what's happening if you
get lost during the story. He'll come in and give you an update." As I
listened to The Album About Nothing, I realized that Wale really had delivered
an album that spoke about life. It spoke in an honest way that his fans, and
even those not yet fans, could understand. In an interview with Cleveland.com Wale
spoke about how it is his most personal album, saying: "It's super personal.
It's like a journal that my whole lifestyle is based around. Before, with my
music, I was like the point guard with all the handles. Now I'm just taking it
straight to the cup. I'm not moon walking to get from point A to point B. I'm
running from point A and through point B. You guys are going to hear what I'm
saying. I'm going to be as transparent as I can be."
Well, back to that social media, “diss” track beef between
Drake and Meek Mill. It did play out with Drake being declared the overwhelming
winner by the jury of public opinion. Wale however, remained diplomatic about
the entire event. He chose not to take sides, explaining in an interview on The
Breakfast Club Radio Show that he had nothing against either artist. He further
added after everything that has been said, both rappers are still alive, and
will continue to express themselves by delivering more music to their fans. In
speaking with some fans there is a feeling that Meek Mill’s standing in the rap
music community has been irreparably damaged. Time will tell if this is true or
not.
After thinking about everything I am reminded of the familiar line written by Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his play Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy – “Beneath
the rule of men entirely great, The pen is mightier than the sword.” Indeed!
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