Wale On Motivation, Being Misunderstood, And The New Album ‘everything is a lot.’
Wale has lived a career most artists could only dream of. He’s collaborated with Rihanna and Lady Gaga, earned Grammy recognition, won an MTV Award, delivered multiple cultural anthems, and […] The post Wale On Motivation, Being Misunderstood, And The New Album ‘everything is a lot.’ appeared first on Essence.
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By Okla Jones ·Updated November 14, 2025 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… Wale has lived a career most artists could only dream of. He’s collaborated with Rihanna and Lady Gaga, earned Grammy recognition, won an MTV Award, delivered multiple cultural anthems, and built a discography that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with rap’s most skilled writers. And yet, in the ongoing conversation about legacy, impact, and commercial celebration, he remains—by his own admission—“misunderstood.” But what has never been up for debate is the music. For nearly two decades, Wale has stayed relevant by staying true to what matters most—being himself.
After an almost four-year hiatus, he’s returning with a sharper mindset, a new label home, and a renewed sense of clarity. everything is a lot., his first release under Def Jam following the close of his Warner/Maybach era, marks his rebirth. Sonically, it’s arguably his most diverse effort to date. Conceptually, it tackles topics such as love, fame, and the internal battle between who you are, who the world thinks you are, and who you’re still trying to become. With features from Shaboozey, Ty Dolla $ign, BNYX, Leon Thomas, Andra Day, Odeal, and more, the project is set to stand out as one of the year’s top offerings.
In the months that preceded the album’s release, Wale implemented a rollout that was second-to-none (with all due respect to Clipse, of course.) He dropped “Blanco” in March, hit stages at Dreamville and Atlanta’s ONEMusic Fest, released a string of sharp, unfiltered free rel="tag">new music Wale
The post Wale On Motivation, Being Misunderstood, And The New Album ‘everything is a lot.’ appeared first on Essence.
