Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, better known by his stage name Wale, is an American rapper. He first became known for his 2006 song "Dig Dug ", which became popular in his hometown of Washington D.C. and led Wale to gain further local recognition as he amassed a number of follow-up releases. Wale signed with English DJ-producer Mark Ronson's Allido Records in 2007, and after a three-label bidding war, he entered a joint venture with Interscope Records for US$1.3 million the following year. During this time, Wale's mixtapes and singles saw national attention as he appeared on MTV and various Black America-focused magazines.
"Push" is a song from the Enrique Iglesias album Insomniac. The song features American rapper Lil Wayne and is Iglesias's first collaboration with a hip-hop artist.
"Chillin" is a song by American rapper Wale, featuring singer Lady Gaga. It was released as the lead single from his debut album, Attention Deficit, on April 14, 2009, by Allido Records. Wale had wanted to collaborate with Gaga, and were introduced to each other through the rapper's mentor, Mark Ronson. "Chillin" was composed by a number of songwriters, including Wale and Gaga, while it was produced by Cool & Dre. Recorded in New York City, the song discusses Wale's life in his hometown. It has musical influence of 1990s style rapping, and contains two samples from the 1969 song "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" by the band Steam, and the 1987 song, "Top Billin'", by Audio Two.
Attention Deficit is the debut studio album by American rapper Wale. It was released on November 10, 2009, by Allido Records and Interscope Records. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Mark Ronson, Cool & Dre, the Neptunes, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and David Sitek among others. The album also features guest appearances by Lady Gaga, Gucci Mane, J. Cole, Pharrell Williams and Jazmine Sullivan among others.
Beauty Killer is the only studio album by American singer Jeffree Star, released on September 21, 2009 under Popsicle Records with distribution from Independent Label Group. The album was mostly produced by God's Paparazzi, but also features work from other producers and artists, including producer Lester Mendez and Young Money singer and rapper Nicki Minaj. Beauty Killer features rock, electronic, dance, and pop elements in its music and lyrics, similar to previous works from Star. The album debuted at number 122 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Flockaveli is the debut studio album by American rapper Waka Flocka Flame. It was released through 1017 Brick Squad, Asylum, and Warner Bros. Records on October 5, 2010. The title of the album is a portmanteau of Waka Flocka Flame's name and that of the Italian political theorist Machiavelli, and was inspired by fellow American rapper Tupac Shakur, whose final stage name and pseudonym before his death was Makaveli. The album was recorded at Next Level Studios in Houston, NightBird Recording Studios in West Hollywood, and S-Line Ent. in Atlanta.
The Cataracs were an American hip hop record production project and duo formed in Berkeley, California, consisting of David Benjamin Singer-Vine and Niles Hollowell-Dhar. The duo started out as an independent group, during their years at Berkeley High School. The two were first signed to the label Indie-Pop. Singer-Vine left the group in August 2012 with Hollowell-Dhar continuing on with the name The Cataracs by himself. Hollowell-Dhar also released materials starting in 2014, under the name of Kshmr.
"Look at Me Now" is a song by American singer Chris Brown featuring fellow American rappers Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes released as the second single from Brown's fourth studio album F.A.M.E. on February 1, 2011. The artists co-wrote the song with its producers Afrojack, Diplo, and Free School, with additional writing from Ryan Buendia. Musically, "Look at Me Now" is a "dirty south–inspired" hip hop song that features "thumping bass, spacy synth and horn jam sounds."
"Pot of Gold" is a song by American rapper Game featuring American singer Chris Brown, released on June 28, 2011, as the second single from Game's fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album. The artists wrote the song alongside Sam Hook and producers The Futuristics.
Ambition is the second studio album by American rapper Wale. It was released on November 1, 2011, by Allido Records, Maybach Music Group and Warner Bros. Records. This serves as the follow-up to his debut album, Attention Deficit, which was released in 2009. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Lex Luger, T-Minus, Tha Bizness, DJ Toomp and Diplo among others. The album also features guest appearances from Rick Ross, Lloyd, Ne-Yo, Big Sean, Miguel, Meek Mill, Kid Cudi, and Jeremih.
Tiara Nicole Thomas is an American R&B singer. In 2013, she was featured on the Wale single "Bad", which has been certified 3× platinum. That same year, Thomas landed a label deal with Interscope Records, a label under the Interscope Geffen A&M group. In 2021, she won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for co-writing "I Can't Breathe". That same year, she received a Golden Globe nomination and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, for co-writing the song "Fight for You", from Judas and the Black Messiah.
Back 2 Life is the third studio album by Jamaican-American singer Sean Kingston, released by Beluga Heights and Epic Records on September 10, 2013. It was supported by the single "Beat It", which peaked at number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100. Notwithstanding, Back 2 Life failed to enter the Billboard 200 and saw mixed reviews, becoming his final album on a major label.
I'm Right Here is the debut studio extended play by American singer-songwriter, rapper and musician Chris Rene released on October 2, 2012 through Syco and Epic Records. This is Rene's first major label project, and second studio work overall, after he released his 2009 independent studio album, Soul'd Out. Rene, a third-place finalist from the inaugural season of the U.S. version of The X Factor, was signed to Epic by his mentor, L.A. Reid. Rene began production on his album in December 2011, and completed recording by June 2012. The record boasts assistance on writing and productions from Alex Lambert, Brandyn Burnette, busbee, Christian Rich, Chuck Harmony, Claude Kelly, J. Bonilla, J.R. Rotem, Jon Levine, Lauren Evans, Marlin "Hookman" Bonds, Marty James, Mitchum Chin, Peter Biker, Supa Dups and Talay Riley, along with compositions from Rene's brother and sister, Gabriel and Gina.
"Finally Found You" is a song by Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias, released on 20 September 2012. It was later included on the international deluxe edition of his tenth studio album Sex and Love. The track features vocals from rapper Sammy Adams. Both artists co-wrote the song with Jacob Luttrell, R3hab, Fabian Lenssen, Yoan Chirescu, Raphaël Judrin, and Pierre-Antoine Melki. The latter two, known together as soFLY & Nius, are also the producers. Another version featuring Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee was released for Latin market.
Folarin is the eighth mixtape by American rapper Wale, it was released on December 24, 2012. The mixtape features guest appearances from Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Tiara Thomas, Scarface, Nipsey Hussle, French Montana, Chinx Drugz, Jhené Aiko, Travis Porter, Trinidad James, Hit-Boy, and Chrisette Michele among others.
"Bad" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Wale. It was released on February 5, 2013, as the first single from his third studio album The Gifted (2013). The song, produced by Kelson Camp, features a guest appearance from Tiara Thomas. "Bad" peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it Wale's third top 40 entry after "No Hands" and "Lotus Flower Bomb", and becoming his highest-charting single as a lead artist. It also became Thomas' first top 40 entry.
The Gifted is the third studio album by American rapper Wale. The album was released on June 25, 2013 by Allido Records, Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Just Blaze, Jake One, Kane Beatz, Cardiak, The Runners and Lee Major among others. The album also features guest appearances from Meek Mill, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa and 2 Chainz among others.
Self Made Vol. 3 is the third compilation album by MMG. The album was released on September 17, 2013, by Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records. Like the two previous albums in the Self Made series, the album features contributions from members signed to the MMG label including Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Wale, Stalley, French Montana, Omarion and Rockie Fresh along with Gunplay, Young Breed and Torch of Triple C's. The album features additional guest appearances from Yo Gotti, Lil Boosie, Birdman, J. Cole, Fabolous, Pusha T, Hit-Boy, and Lupe Fiasco among others.
"Thirsty" is a promotional single by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey from her fourteenth studio album, Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse. It was co-written by Carey in collaboration with Hit-Boy, Denesia Andrews and MaryAnn Tatum. Carey and Hit-Boy also produced it, with co-production from Rey Reel. The alternate version of "Thirsty", featuring one rap verse from American rapper Rich Homie Quan, received its radio premiere on Power 105.1 on May 13, 2014, a day before the album version featuring just Carey was made available to stream. It has been described as a "club-friendly" R&B song influenced by hip hop, which makes use of a minimal synth beat.
Think Like a Man is the soundtrack to the 2012 romantic comedy film of the same name. The album was released on April 17, 2012, through Epic Records, and featured contributions from Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Ne-Yo, Keri Hilson, Kelly Rowland, Marcus Canty and Future, along with guest appearances from Rick Ross, Ludacris, Bei Maejor. Besides original songs, the album also consisted songs from Earth, Wind & Fire and Luther Vandross that was released in 1975 and 1981.
