

His parents were both from the Yoruba ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria, and both of them came from Austria to the United States in 1979. Olubowale Victor Akintimehin was born on September 21, 1984, in Northwest, Washington, D.C. That's Crazy and Folarin IIīiography 1984–2007: Early life and career beginnings

In early 2011, Wale signed with Florida rapper Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group, where members of the label released a compilation album, Self Made Vol.

The album, although under-shipped, was met with positive reception from critics. In 2008, a three-label bidding war resulted in Wale signing with Interscope Records for $1.3 million, and his debut album Attention Deficit was released in 2009 with the singles " Chillin" (featuring Lady Gaga), " Pretty Girls" (featuring Gucci Mane), and "World Tour" (featuring Jazmine Sullivan). A song called "Ridin' in That Black Joint" was featured in the popular video game Saints Row 2 's soundtrack in 2008. While signed to that label, Wale released several mixtapes and appeared in national media including MTV and various Black American-focused magazines. Wale met English DJ-producer Mark Ronson in 2006 and joined his label, Allido Records in 2007. Wale became locally recognized and continued recording music for the regional audience. He first rose to prominence in 2006, when his song "Dig Dug (Shake It)" became popular in his hometown. Olubowale Victor Akintimehin (born September 21, 1984), better known by his stage name Wale ( / ˈ w ɔː l eɪ/ WAH-lay), is an American rapper.
