Wale

Olubowale Victor Akintimehin (born September 21, 1984), better known by his stage name Wale ( WAH-lay), is an American rapper. He first gained recognition in 2006 when his song “Dig Dug (Shake It)” became popular in his hometown of Washington D.C., leading to Wale gaining local recognition as he continued recording music for the regional audience. Wale became acquainted with English DJ-producer Mark Ronson in 2006, and signed to his label Allido Records the following year. During this time, Wale released several mixtapes which amassed national attention as he appeared on MTV and various Black America-focused magazines.

In 2008, a three-label bidding war resulted in Wale signing with Interscope Records for US$1.3 million, releasing his debut studio album Attention Deficit in November of the following year. The album was under-shipped and underperformed commercially, but was met with positive reception and marked Wale’s first Billboard Hot 100 entry with its lead single, “Chillin” (featuring Lady Gaga). He reached wider recognition for his guest appearance alongside Roscoe Dash on Waka Flocka Flame’s 2010 single “No Hands,” which peaked at number 13 on the Hot 100 and received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In early 2011, Wale signed with Florida rapper Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group, where he and the label’s cohorts released a compilation album, Self Made Vol. 1 in May of that year.

Later the same year, his single “Lotus Flower Bomb” (featuring Miguel) reached the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Song, and preceded his second studio album, Ambition (2011). The album explored less-lighthearted topics of introspection and was met with further commercial and commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard 200. His third and fourth albums, The Gifted (2013) and The Album About Nothing (2015) both debuted at number-one on the Billboard 200, with the former album spawning his most successful single as a lead artist: “Bad” (featuring Tiara Thomas or Rihanna).

Wale shifted for lighter lyricism and aimed for wider female appeal with his fifth studio album, Shine (2015). Supported by the lead single “My PYT”, it was released to a decline in commercial and critical reception. Three extended plays (EP’s) would precede his sixth album Wow… That’s Crazy (2019), supported by the lead single “On Chill” (featuring Jeremih). The song would reach number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, while its parent album saw a slight commercial improvement at number seven on the Billboard 200. It was followed up with his seventh album, Folarin II (2022). The same year, Wale appeared in the film Ambulance directed by Michael Bay.

From Wikipedia, released under the terms of the CC-BY-SA license.