20 Things You Didn't Know About Wale

The more you know.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Wale is often considered controversial or temperamental, but one thing can't be denied: after being roundly counted out, the rapper mounted one of the most unlikely comebacks in hip-hop history, and is now one the few major commercially-successful rappers in an era where most artists struggle to chart. He started off a promising rookie; his 2008 Mixtape About Nothing received critical acclaim; he was selected as one of XXL's innaugural top freshman the year later. And he dropped a major-label record before peers like Drake and Kid Cudi. Unfortunately, it sold disappointingly and Interscope dropped him shortly thereafter. He continued to push forward, though, and ultimately managed to attract the attention of Rick Ross, who signed the burgeoning success story to his MMG label.

His latest album, The Gifted, is likely to sell significant numbers—coming, as it does, on the back of some of the biggest singles of his career. "Bad" even received a second push, with Rihanna replacing Tiara Thomas (who "Bad" belonged to initially) on the hook. His latest single, "LoveHate Thing," features the young singer Sam Dew, and with its Marvin Gaye sample imitation of a Marvin Gaye sample, looks like another surefire hit.

But as much as we know about Wale, there are still some facts that lurk below the surface. We've dug into some of his interviews and discovered just how much we really didn't know about the rapper.

These are 20 Things You Didn't Know About Wale.

RELATED: 50 Things You Didn't Know About Kanye West
RELATED: 25 Things You Didn't Know About J. Cole
RELATED: 50 Things You Didn't Know About Rihanna 

"Careless Whisper" by George Michael is one of Wale's favorite guilty pleasure songs.

Not Available Interstitial

Wale's first local hit, "Dig Dug (Shake It)," was a tribute to Ronald "Dig Dug" Dixon of DC go-go group Northeast Groovers.

Not Available Interstitial

Rick Ross first met Wale when the then-unsigned rapper performed at the same show and sold as many tickets as Ross.

Not Available Interstitial

He wants to be a guest on Eastbound & Down because he wants to be on a show that isn't "sensitive to racial jokes."

Not Available Interstitial

Wale asked the creators of NBA 2k13 to have his player play like Monta Ellis.

Not Available Interstitial

Wale first pursued music after he was kicked off the Virginia State University football team.

Not Available Interstitial

The question he is most tired of answering is, "How was it working with Lady Gaga?"

Not Available Interstitial

"Touch the Sky" is his favorite song off of Kanye West's Late Registration.

Not Available Interstitial

He says the corniest episode of Saved By The Bell is the one where Slater crashes a car and says, "I was in the seat, so I'll take the heat."

Not Available Interstitial

Wale financed his first tour himself.

Not Available Interstitial

He and Lady Gaga no longer speak.

Not Available Interstitial

Wale is the cousin of actor Gbenga Akinnagbe, best known for his role of Chris Partlow from HBO's The Wire.

Not Available Interstitial

Wale wrote the first verse and second verses of "Lotus Flower Bomb" a year apart.

Not Available Interstitial

His favorite restaurant in Washington, D.C., is Oohs & Ahhs Soul Food Restaurant.

Not Available Interstitial

His father is a cabbie, and as a boy, Wale would ride to work with him in the front seat.

Not Available Interstitial

Before music, Wale worked at Sprint, Downtown Locker Room (DTLR), and the now-defunct clothing store Up Against The Wall.

Not Available Interstitial

Wale's first song to get airplay was the "Apache"-sampling "Rhyme of the Century," which earned him a spot in The Source's "Unsigned Hype" column.

Not Available Interstitial

Wale's favorite Nike Foamposite shoe is the Nike Total Air Foamposite Max Silver.

Not Available Interstitial

He was a huge fan of The Monkees.

Not Available Interstitial

In 2007, his ringtone was UB40's "Red Red Wine."

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Music