It Should’ve Been Wale

Wale’s new album “Everything is a Lot” has been receiving a lot of great praise, as it deserves, since we haven’t heard an album from him in quite some time. He once again exceeded all expectations with this album, from its beat selection to his poetic lyricism, melodic singing, and impressive features. Wale never disappoints. But in saying that, if Wale’s album didn’t disappoint, why is it that, despite being in the game for so long, respected by his peers, and possessing such illustrious skill, he’s not regarded as one of the top rappers in the game alongside names like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J. Cole, and other acts that he came up with?

Wale has consistently been recognized for enhancing or being the perfect addition to an outstanding R&B hook, bridge, and feature. We can look back at "Lotus Flower Bomb," featuring Miguel "Bad" featuring Tiana Thomas, and then the remix with Rihanna, "Love Hate Thing", "On Chill" featuring Jeremih, "The Matrimony" featuring Usher among many others on this album. He has numerous tracks that highlight his exceptional talent in elevating R&B songs to the next level.

As a hip-hop enthusiast, I hold in high regard a list of greats and legends that I had the pleasure of growing up with. Albums like "More About Nothing," "Back To The Feature" "Attention Deficit," and "Ambition" by Wale were staples in my rotation. He worked hard and also released some excellent albums with the MMG alongside Meek Mill and Rick Ross. Observing his growth into a complex artist is something I never delved deeply into.

Currently, as rap begins to evolve into a new dialogue, artists are trying to distance themselves from being solely defined by chart performance, which was never a true measure of his success. He didn't need number-one hits or gimmicks; his poetry spoke for itself. In this environment, he should excel as long as he remains authentic. This is something we can't say for many other artists who currently represent the rap genre.

There has been considerable discussion about rappers who maintain the same themes in their music over the years, without evolving as they age. Drake and Future have been accused of this, with some labeling them as womanizers or misogynistic, or simply embodying the stereotype of the middle-aged man unable to find love. Despite not being married or in long-term relationships that define happiness, Drake addresses his audience with reflections on love, challenges with women, and issues of loyalty, fidelity, and trust. Unlike the often flashy portrayal by Future and Drake's approach, Wale is more introspective, allowing more people to understand and relate to him. While Future and Drake often highlights money and luxury, which can be unrelatable for many, Wale's narration resonates on a more personal level.

In my recent articles, I've discussed parasocial relationships and how individuals attempt to emulate and connect with artists based on concepts and ideas they admire or are fans of, such as having multiple romantic options, buying cars and jewlery, and using wealth as the base to many of their relationships. However, this doesn't represent true Black love. Authentic Black love is pure, non-transactional, and passionate, which is the essence that permeates music and is appreciated by people.

One of my favorite songs by Wale from his debut studio album is "Diary," featuring Marsha Ambrosius. In this track, he narrates from the perspective of a man pursuing a woman, understanding her past traumas and challenges in the dating scene. He skillfully equates this to the Black experience. This kind of poetry and vulnerability is something both rap and R&B need. The collaboration between these two talented artists was exceptional, and both have since achieved significant success in their respective careers.

In my earlier article, I explored D’Angelo, who earned great respect from both the public and his peers in the neo-soul genre. Currently, Hip Hop lacks appreciation for such honesty and talent, often overshadowed by social media and overlooked abilities. While Wale is known for being vocal about his treatment in the industry, he frequently encounters criticism for his repeated complaints about his reception. But is his point valid? Why isn't he part of the conversations with his rap peers who have transcended the blog era and remain successful? What distinguishes him from them? This isn't meant to discredit those artists, but honest discussions are necessary. It's not about talent or labels, so what's stopping him from receiving the recognition he deserves? As a black consumer, it's clear why a dark-skinned, proud African man who grew up in the DMV struggles to gain the same respect as a bi-racial Canadian man who cos-plays cultures or a light-skinned bi-racial man who reinvented himself by moving to New York and took on his stage persona at a prestigious white college. Not to say they aren’t talented, but why doesn’t Wale get the same acclaim? Drake was propped up by Lil Wayne and Baby, J. Cole it was Jay Z, but Wale had a more organic pathway to greatness. Songs and ballads that people can truly call timeless.

Unfortunately, rap heavily relies on optics, and a dark-skinned man who doesn't rap about violence, drug dealing, or other stereotypes associated with the Black experience often isn't seen as engaging by music fans. Hopefully, this perception will change.