Wale: Artistic Integrity

by Chad Jordan, June 26, 2008

D.C bred M.C.; Wale obviously knows the importance of swagger and bravado in hip hop. Every verse he has released since his early mix tape days have been dripping in confidence. He nonchalantly runs through his metaphor heavy rhymes with a sing song half whine vocal timbre that plays with rhyme delivery in a hip hop climate that has become too reliant on a conversational flow. His unique flow, and penchant for rocking the latest kicks, denim and t-shirts that are very likely to pop up on the front pages of Hypebeast has the music media scrambling to lump Wale in with every new MC that seems to shop at the same sneaker shops as him. Wale addresses this issue on “Artistic Integrity” one of the stand out tracks from his Seinfeld inspired new release “The Mixtape about Nothing”. The track splices a monologue from Costanza and Jerry over a soaring beat accented with bongo drums. The video directed by Rik Cordero boasts a guest appearance from one of the stars of “The Wire” and Wale’s cousin Gben Akinnagbe.

5 Responses

  1. Posted by: Tony on June 29, 2008 at 10:55 pm

    This video is dope in every form. Wale is representing DC to the fullest.

  2. Posted by: halfbreed23 on June 28, 2008 at 6:33 pm

    check out them eggplant foamposites!(2:05 in the clip).not due until release in feb of 09,these kicks are fresh! A MUST

  3. Posted by: halfbreed23 on June 28, 2008 at 6:31 pm

    check out them eggplant foamposites!(2:05 in the clip).not due to release in feb of 09,these kicks are fresh! A MUSTt

  4. Posted by: Xavier Disaresta on June 26, 2008 at 5:06 pm

    This has D.C. written all over it, especially with the go-go beat. I like.

  5. Posted by: MATO on June 26, 2008 at 2:06 pm

    what a step up hes made from Nike Boots.. lovin this track a lot.