Wale

Wale’s clever wordplay and polymathic samples have garnered him quite a cult following. After a string of dense, head-spinning mix-tapes—including his Seinfeldian duo, The Mixtape About Nothing and More About Nothing, and 2009’s Back To The Feature, which boasted 9th Wonder and Mark Ronson among the contributing producers—he’s parlayed his underground following into overdue mainstream success. The Washington, D.C. rapper makes himself right at home on Rick Ross’ Maybach Music label with his new LP, Ambition, as deep-pocketed production backs his newly hedonistic lyrics. While it’s true that even the deftest rhymers sometimes falter outside the confines of the studio, Wale’s live show seems like a safe bet: If nothing else, you need not fear that he will take himself too seriously.

Updated 12/05/2011