Loyola Greyhound

Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: Arts & Society

Media Credit: Photo Courtesy of whoisdp.blogspot.com Wale may be considered among a new era of "hipster rap" that is meant to express disgust at the lack of substance in today's society. His new track, "Chillin'" features the vocals of pop sensation, Lady Gaga.

Perfecting hip-hop's mix-tape genre by sheer lyrics and rap concepts in 2008, Wale (pronounced Wah-lay) has teamed up with international star and pop-culture favorite, Lady Gaga, to create his first single "Chillin'."

"Chillin'" is an acceptably sound song with the current fabrications composed of, nowadays, deprecating rappers. Wale is a resident of P.G. Country, Maryland, but grew up in Washington D.C. In a quest to put his city on the map and forefront of mainstream rap, Olubowale Folarin's lyrics are not only appealing to his D.C. audience, but the lyrics also capture images of life and ways of thinking that go unheard by the mass media.

"Ya man Wale in his own damn lane / Can't control the box you in no mills lane / You aint heard D.C. till sardines came."
Wale is the voice of a city, and that city is the District of Columbia. The slick reference to "Go-Go Music" is enough to get one's mind thinking about the lyrical aspect of rapping like the 90s.

?But without thorough knowledge of what the phrase "Sardines and pork and beans" means, Wale fails to produce a true, mainstream track.

Also, with a lackluster hook and the repetition of the name "Wale," the airplay and sales of this single will depend greatly upon the vocals of Lady Gaga.
As we usher in the new rap era labeled "hipster rap," Wale should be thrown on the shelf of so-called hipster rappers. Hipster rap sounds like educated and moaning rappers who express contempt for the lack of substance in today's society.

"Don't talk about the cars y'all got / You say you got a lot of whips / Well I got a lot."

Even though Wale may have property value, he will not be able to spread his land of listeners if he cannot make a meaningful message for the masses that listen to hip-hop. However, he does paint pictures of his hometown in his lyrics.

"Police come around don't nobody say nothin' / And you be with the cops you [expletive] is McLovin."

Continued...

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