Wale

Wale Declares He’s Dropping Out Of Broccoli City Festival

by
wale broccoli city
Getty Image

Just minutes after the comeback lineup for the 2022 edition of the DMV area’s Broccoli City festival was announced, one of the biggest names on the flyer and hometown hero, Wale, announced he was no longer performing at the festival. Wale, once of the area’s most popular artists and a mainstay of the Washington DC rap scene for years, quote-tweeted a fan’s post about how good the lineup is, responding “I’m pullin out this show.”

Although Wale has yet to explain the decision, fans have gravitated toward the theory that the rapper — who could arguably be considered one of the first major rappers to put the DC scene on the map, paving the way for future stars like IDK, Shy Glizzy, and fellow Broccoli City performers Rico Nasty and Masego — felt slighted by the fact that 21 Savage, a native of Atlanta, was billed as the headliner instead opposite Ari Lennox, another DMV local hero.

Reactions ranged from fans empathizing with his supposed position to others criticizing Wale’s perceived sensitivity, for which he’s drawn fire in the past. However, whenever Wale has seemed upset about things on Twitter before, he usually shakes it off within a few days. Perhaps that’ll be the case here — after all, the organizers have until May 7 to sort things out.

Broccoli City Festival Is Returning In 2022 With 21 Savage, Ari Lennox, And Of Course, Wale

by
wale broccoli city 2022 lineup
Getty Image

Here’s some great news for residents of the DMV area: Beloved hip-hop and R&B festival Broccoli City is returning for the first time in three years after being canceled due to COVID concerns in 2020 and 2021. The festival’s organizers announced the dates and lineup today after the two-year hiatus, bringing a worthy selection of both hometown heroes and national favorites to the RFK Festival Grounds in Washington DC on May 7 and 8.

From the local side of things, Broccoli City has booked Ari Lennox, Masego, Rico Nasty, and of course, festival mainstay and DC’s unofficial rap ambassador Wale. Elsewhere on the bill, trap rap faves 21 Savage, Gunna, and Jeezy will bring the Atlanta sound to the stage, while drill pioneers Lil Durk and Babyface Ray will bring that unique sound. Rising stars Alex Vaughn, Don Toliver, Joony, Joyce Wrice, Larry June, Muni Long, and Tems will bring a variety of vibes, with Nigerian superstar Wizkid contributing some Afrobeats to round things out.

The last Broccoli City festival that actually went on as planned took place in 2019, headlined by Childish Gambino and Lil Wayne. Interestingly enough, it also featured Gunna and Wizkid on the bill, so it’s nice to see them returning and bringing the festival full circle in its return. You can get more information and tickets at bcfestival.com.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Wale And Blxst Assist Murda Beatz For ‘One Shot’ On Their Confident Track

by

Last year proved to be exciting and successful years for both Blxst and Wale. The former reaped the benefits of his No Love Lost project throughout 2021 in addition to teaming up with Bino Rideaux for Sixtape 2. Blxst also made appearances on The Tonight Show and on the 2021 XXL Freshman class list. As for Wale, he released his Folarin II album, one that proved to be a well-executed sequel to his 2012 mixtape. Now, for the first time ever, the two artists are bringing their talents together for a new song. Thanks to some help from producer Murda Beatz, the trio unite for “One Shot.”

On the new song, Wale and Blxst offer a woman one chance to join them and reap the benefits of their lavish lifestyles. While the duo extends a hand to the woman in question, they also note that they’ll be okay with or without her. The new track arrives after Murda Beatz teamed up with West Coast rapper Shordie Shordie for their Memory Lane project last year. It presented 12 songs with a lone feature from Trippie Redd.

As for what’s next, fans can expect more music from Murda Beatz who produced for Chloe Bailey, EST Gee, Nardo Wick, and more in 2021. Wale kicked off his Under A Blue Moon Tour earlier this week and he’ll continue to tour the country until early March. Lastly, Blxst will continue to release new music, with his last being the romantic “About You,” as he’ll hopefully have a new project to treat us with at some point this year.

You can listen to “One Shot” in the video above.

Wale is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Best Mixtapes From 10 Years Ago Ranked

by
The best 25 tapes from 2011 created by Lil Wayne, Frank Ocean, A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd, Meek Mill and more. Continue reading…

Russ Shares His Business Advice For Rap Peers Like Big Sean And Wale

by

Over the past few years, more rappers than ever have shared their discontent with the modern label system. Most recently, Big Sean pointed out that Kanye apparently still owes him quite a bit from his GOOD Music days, Meek Mill demanded more transparency in the music industry, and Wale explained why he left Roc Nation early in his career. Through all those revelations, one artist has remained steadfast in his belief in his independent hustle — and outspoken in sharing his advice for industry peers.

Russ, who is currently doing promotion for his newly released mixtape Chomp 2, stopped by The Breakfast Club and explained how he financed the new project by taking out a bank loan rather than signing with a label. Using Wale’s 2019 single “On Chill” as an example, he explained how he would go about opening a line of credit to support the track. “Let’s say it’s $250,000… Guess what you can go do. Go get a line of credit… I don’t wanna play with my own money. Even though an advance, they give you a million dollars and spend money at radio, that still ends up being your money. If I get a line of credit from the bank… it’s about time value of money.”

“So with Chomp 2,” he continued. “I have millions of dollars in the bank, I could fund it myself. Why? … Everything on Chomp 2, I’m using the line of credit. I could pay $1,000 for the rest of my life. If the issue is upfront cash… A bank will give y’all millions of dollars.”

Of course, some folks on Twitter pointed out that not everybody has this particular set of options, but Russ was adamant his point was in pursuing alternative funding and maintaining ownership of publishing rights and his music career. Check out some of the reactions to Russ’ advice and his responses below.

Russ’ ‘Chomp 2’ Prepares For Lyrical Warfare With Help From Jadakiss, Wale, Joey Badass, And More

by
Russ 2021 Sacramento concert
Getty Image

Russ rarely takes a break when it comes to releasing music, and after a streak of dropping singles that began over the summer, he’s prepared to end the year on a high note with a brand new album. Russ will drop Chomp 2 on Wednesday, December 8, and hours before he releases it, he shared the tracklist and features. The full-length effort will see contributions from Jadakiss, Snoop Dogg, Jay Electronica, The Game, Big Sean, Wale, Joey Badass, Styles P, Westside Gunn, Lloyd Banks, Ghostface Killah, Papoose, Big K.R.I.T., Ranson, DJ Premier, Hit-Boy, Mozzy, CyHi The Prynce, and more.

Chomp 2 also offers an impressive cast of producers, including 9th Wonder, Hary Fraud, DJ Premier, Hit-Boy, The Alchemist, Statik Selektah, Boi-1da, Bink!

The album comes a year after he released its predecessor. The first Chomp is much shorter, clocking in at six songs and with features from Ab-Soul, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Kxng Crooked, Benny The Butcher, and DJ Premier.

Chomp 2 will join a strong cast of singles Russ has released in 2021. They include “On The Way,” “Satisfy,” “Lucky,” “Private,” and “Status.” He’s also worked with Lil Baby and Blxst in addition to teasing a potential joint album with Kehlani.

You can view the tracklist for Chomp 2 in the post above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Rick Ross’ ‘Richer Than I Ever Been’ Tracklist Features Future, Wale, 21 Savage, Blxst, And More

by
Rick Ross 2021 Miami Heat concert
Getty Image

More than two years after releasing his last album, 2019’s Port Of Miami 2, Rick Ross is getting ready to drop another. The Florida rapper’s next record, Richer Than I Ever Been, is locked in for a December 10 release date. So far he’s released two singles, “Outlawz” with 21 Savage and Jazmine Sullivan, as well as “Little Havana,” with The-Dream and former drug kingpin Augusto Guillermo “Willy” Falcon. Now, with just six days left until the new album arrives, Rick Ross unveils the tracklist.

Ross opts to keep things relatively short this time around, with a mere 10 songs. In addition to features from 21 Savage, Jazmine Sullivan, The-Dream, and Willy Falcon, the album also includes appearances from Benny The Butcher, Wale, Future, Yungeen Ace, Major Nine, and Blxst.

“Really, I feel this is the best album I’ve ever done,” Ross said about the album back in September. “I make progress every day. I feel like some of the stuff I’m saying on this album is really going to separate it from others.”

You can view the full tracklist for Richer Than I Ever Been below.

1. “Little Havana” Feat. Willie Falcon & The-Dream
2. “The Pulitzer”
3. “Rapper Estates” Feat. Benny The Butcher
4. “Marathon”
5. “Warm Words In A Cold World” Feat. Wale & Future
6. “Wiggle” Feat. Dreamdoll
7. “Can’t Be Broke” Feat. Yungeen Ace & Major Nine
8. “Made It Out Alive” Feat. Blxst
9. “Outlawz” Feat. Jazmine Sullivan & 21 Savage
10. “Imperial High”

Richer Than I Ever Been is out 12/10 via Maybach Music Group/Epic Records.

Wale is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Best Hip-Hop Projects of 2021

by
2021 will be remembered for these projects. Continue reading…

Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2021

by
A year full of rising rap newcomers and seasoned vets that delivered a solid soundtrack over the last 12 months. Continue reading…