Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 10:02AM
What happened to the Wale in the picture below? The guy that was dynamic, and stood out from the pack, and was in league with those also pictured above? Who in 2009 all of sudden transformed. The guy had one of the most talked about Mixtapes since... I can’t even remember a mixtape as well received by everyone as A Mixtape About Nothing, had management from Roc Nation, a few notable co-signs, hosted MTV Music Awards with his UCB band, was on a national tour with Jay-Z and N.E.R.D, and was getting co-signs from anyone that matters.
Attention Deficit , his debut album was released in the summer of 2009. From that point on things started looking down for the man. All of a sudden, there were a ton of complaints by him about the release (dealing with lack of units initially shipped out, songs left off), I should of known something fishy was up when all of sudden Lady Gaga was featured on his first single. Never heard him talking about working with her before, nor were fans of either artist restless for this collaboration. That wasn’t to say enough though, as somehow the at the time much hyped about artist Gucci Mane got a feature (though not a bad one) as well. This was not a good look. Gucci didn’t add anything to the song, and I doubt he added anything to the sales of the album. Nor do I think Gucci Mane fans are checking for Wale collabs either.
To make it worse, he was signed by producer Mark Ronson’s Allido Records. Which has no cred when it comes to producing successful albums. Remember Rhymefest? Yeah, Kanye's protege that had writing credentials on Jesus Walks? Somehow they fumbled his debut release as well. Despite a feature on the first single of produced and featuring Kanye West. What made Wale choose to sign with them? Couldn't be history that’s for damn sure.
After his album bombed he dropped the sequel to the Seinfield mixtape that was cool, but nowhere close near the first. And featured to make it worse, it featured a a song with Waka Flocka Flame....
(like he isn’t even the first name featured...smh)
That was it, at the point he was no longer the man who was an individual. He did a feature with Waka (which was featured on Waka’s debut album as well) who stands for nothing that involves making classic music.
Then came what I thought might be a smart business move at the time, signing with Rick Ross Maybach Music Group. Thinking Ross is successful, and has a good ear for his own projects music, this might work. Then I thought, he has Jay-Z’s management still, had radio play, and everything else you could want for as a mainstream artist. So more can Ross team bring to the table at this point?
Well the worst did has happened, and it seems as Wale might be trying to fit in with the BAWSE a bit too much. There wasn’t anything standout by Wale on the Self Made Vol 1 album. Which featured him on the cover dressed like he was a made man. Yes the guy who once rapped about his Nike Boots , was now dressed like a mobster on the cover....
Now he has claims to have rediscovered his mojo with being signed with Ross, and is ready to release his 2nd album Ambition. Which so far has given us another average sounding single, Bad Girls Club featuring J Cole. The single is an attempt once again at the clubs I would guess, yet sounds just as generic as the Gaga one that predated it. There also is a new mixtape titled The Eleven One Eleven Theory which was released recently. It had a few songs that sounded ok, but don’t think I will be replaying it anytime soon.
At this point I don’t know who Wale is anymore. I saw a video of him making his new album and he was saying questioning what it means to be successful:
“I don’t know what success is, but it’s not in the form of record sales right now” - Wale (said during the making of his upcoming sophomore release)
Sadly I don’t think Wale knows who Wale is anymore.
The Roots - Rising Up f. Wale & Chrisette Michele by itsshake
-Justa
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 3:54PM
This week has been quite the week for music. Between the new "leaks", and full length drops its been hard to keep up. This actually kind of reminds of when MTV used to have that whole "New Music Week" back in the days, back when MTV played music actually.
So to begin the week off I'll start with one of our favorites over here at Smart & Angry, Pac Div who just dropped there new free release "Don't Mention It".
Last years "Church League Champions" one of my favorite releases hands down. This years "Don't Mention it" has already provided might be on the 2010 list. The sound and subject matter on this one seems to have taken a little darker tone as well as some of the subject matter. Seems last years we happy to be here finally celebration, has ended. Now the pressures of the music industry, growing up, and life in general has come into the trios content. None the less they're still coming with the consistency, and still a bit of occasional fun that they have come with since day one. This is definitely a must download for all fans of Hip-Hop/Rap/Good music.
Check out Track 9 "Here We Go" my jam for sure and a surprise verse from one of the greatest to ever do it...
and for those of you still sleeping heres last years gem
Pac Div-Church League Champions
Friday, October 2, 2009 at 3:00PM 
Super smart and super hood rapcore artist k. flay is performing @ "The Uptown" in Oakland tonight so I figured l'd highlight some tracks off her "Mashed Potatoes" mixtape (which is free for everyone)
Taking a page out of The Red Hot Chili Peppers (and The Game) she professes her love for California, specifically the bay area.
While this country continues this "War On Drugs" like coke and anything with needles, K. Flay goes into detail in all the legal drugs we can take instead
Instead of bragging about having money, this is a more modern homage to Biggie's "Mo' Money Mo' Problems" as she talks about how messed up are money situation is..
If you live in the bay area, Catch her tonight!
::Crack is wack, but Gak is on the comeback!::
