By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Wale has a reputation of being sensitive and he wears his heart on his sleeve unlike most of his peers. In a new interview with Billboard, he explains why he reacts to his obstacles in such a dramatic fashion and he even admitted social media causes him a lot of emotional problems.
Here are some excerpts from the interview:
What are you talking about on this album that hits closest to home when it comes to your life?
The music industry. You can say I’m sensitive, but music is why I live. Other people have kids or a strong woman in their lives; all I have is my music. I constantly work my a*s off and I’m not in these magazines — all I can go by is the people and what they say. People ask, “Why do you check social-media comments?” But what else do I have, bro? I don’t get no major articles. Nobody talks about Wale like that. So what do you do when you’re busting your a*s and taking pills to stay up and be able to provide the right energy, and you’re not seeing the proper response?
What kind of pills?
My confidence was shot, so I’d be taking whatever to keep me in a good mood, to get me in the right mood for an interview. I’m not going into the details as to what I was taking, but there’s definitely something for that. Just like there’s a f*ckin’ app for everything, there’s a damn pill for everything. Or something you can pour in your glass. I was depressed not being where I wanna be in my career when I’ve put the work in. I wasn’t sleeping. I was drinking all day and I didn’t have anyone to go to. I couldn’t fight it. Those are some of the demons I talk about on the album.
On “The Matrimony,” you rap about going through a miscarriage…
The girl I was with, we tried for a long time to have a child. And when she finally did [get pregnant], she miscarried at 10 or 11 weeks. I was visualizing my child’s face. We gave it a name and everything. All of that went away. And a couple of months before that, one of my closest friends died in a car accident, a cousin that was there for me through blood, sweat and tears. So I go through all that and I go online and some white kid is saying, “You dumb ni—r, you’ll never be as good as J. Cole.” You put all that together…
Your last album hit No. 1. Do you think this album will get you the respect you want?
I gave this my all. I’m not trying to whine about being critically acclaimed or getting in the door, but it breaks my heart. Everyone says, “Be patient. It’ll happen.” But all signs are showing, “No, it won’t happen.” I’m okay with people not liking my music but provide an intelligent reason for why you like or don’t like something or you’re a hater or a d*ck-rider. This is my fourth album. I want some respect. I want to go to a party and not have Katy Perry tell her security to move me out of the f*ckin’ way. We do the same thing. I know there’s no union in the music industry, but have some respect. I want people to be like, “Your album’s just as good as Kendrick [Lamar]’s or Esperanza Spalding or Beck.” I work just as hard as them.
Wale’s new album, “The Album About Nothing,” was released today.
I have nothing nice to say. So I’ma bounce.
I think his music is pretty good but what turns me off from him is this. He’s not the only one who isn’t getting his just due for his music. This happens to most artists but to sulk about it does nothing.
Kendrick’s new album is overrated and I’m thinking Wale’s will be much better but won’t get much attention because Kendrick is the it rapper right now besides Drake. Yes J Cole has some buzz but he gets ignored just like Wale does. If press is what Wale really wants, he needed to get a new team around him that can do that for him.
He thinks he will taken seriously being a b-tch in his interviews. Nobody respects that sh-t. He’s going to have to man up and stop this sensitive bullsh-t. Get to the music and that sh-t will come. Kendrick didn’t just happen. It took time and a really good album. He should know that.
LMBO. Poor Wale.
I have been a fan of his for years now, and I maintain my position that his biggest mistake was in leaving Roc Nation. I appreciate this interview because it’s consistent with who he’s always been. However, he wanted the praise and status so soon that he acted prematurely and went to Maybach music thinking it would catapult his career. J. Cole and Wale were both dropping mixtapes at the same time, and while Wale seemingly took off before J. Cole after leaving, J. Cole will have MUCH more longevity in the game because he took the time to perfect his craft and build a fan base that would allow him to stay true to who he is as an artist versus making club bangers to generate support. As deep as Wale is, he doesn’t understand that he did in fact change when he switched labels. He let the buzz he got from “No Hands” go to his head. I will probably forever support this dude because of his passion and lyricism, but he’s got to understand and accept the role he played in where he is now… I digress.
Your comment is perfect. Thank you.
Well said D. Val, this is a really good write from you. I can appreciate this. I totally agree with you on this. I know to some it may sound like he is whining but music is all he has or is his deepest passion. He writes about his feelings, his trials and tribulations which makes him deep. Music today is not always about this and is more so about popularity, the team you surround yourself around and what appeals to the mass media of certain age genre. I hope he can get off the ground and be a force to be reckoned.
*standing ovation*
He has to understand it just takes time. Success in the music industry doesn’t happen overnight and if it does, it won’t last (Iggy Azalea).
Social media is going to be the death of a lot of careers. If you can’t handle it, don’t use it. He needs to stop checking his mentions.
I want Wale to get more respect but he hasn’t been making the best decisions with his career. Like D Val said, leaving Roc Nation wasn’t smart. Look at where J Cole is now. Wale really has a lot to learn about the business and he also needs thicker skin.
Wale is more talented than Rick Ross and Meek Mill combined. If he focuses on making some good music, he will get his classic album and the well deserved accolades will come. It’s not like we don’t know who he is. We’re just waiting on him to know who he is and let the music reflect such.
Music Lover you are absolutely right. He needs to sit back and exhale in order for him to find peace. He needs to figure what he wants and who he is. Don’t worry about what people are saying and keep doing good music. To thine self be true. Ask hisself this question who is Wale? Once he has the answer he will be on top of the world.
Wale doesn’t seem to understand that many more artists than him slave away at their craft without earning the accolades they feel owed them – that’s the business he chose. Respect doesn’t come from the money,or noteriety (look at Justin Beiber). Respect comes from quality work. If he’s in it just for the recognition, he needs to find a new line of work.
lol
I think Kendrick’s success has him feeling some kind of way. He knows Drake is very commercial and that route wasn’t for him, but he thought he could end up where Kendrick did. It’s hard but it’s not impossible for him to win too. He just has to stay true to himself. His music is a lot better than 95% of the rappers out now,
Dang did Katy really do him like that?