Olubowale Victor Akintimehin: Stage Name Wale

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Recommended: Hip hop and the african american community

When most musicians become famous it is common that they lose touch with their culture, family, and become obsessed with making money. Many come in with a certain singing or rapping style but change what makes them unique for a record deal. In the hip-hop scene rappers start to dress themselves in many expensive designer clothing labels and diamond accessories, however, for Nigerian-American hip-hop MC Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, stage name Wale, this is a different story. Unlike many rappers, Wale is noteworthy and respected for the exact opposite: he embraces his culture and is interested in becoming famous for just simply being himself.

Wale was born in Northwest Washington, D.C. September 21, 1984 to Nigerian immigrants who first arrived five years prior. After 10 years, their family then moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland where Wale found himself attending seven different high schools in both the DC and Maryland area. "My first high school was a predominantly black school, [and] then I went to a predominantly white school, and then back again. I think that helped me cultivate an open mind about most things in life…I kind of understand the plight of all people, from understanding all those different environments," he says in his biography on his official website www.ralphfolarin.com. In 2001, Wale graduated from Quince Orchard High School and later attended Robert Morris and Virginia State University on football scholarships. However after transferring a third time to Bowie State University Wale decided to drop out and aspire on the journey for a potential recording career.

In 2003-2004, Wale got his first air time with his song, "Rhyme of the Century," on a local radio station which placed him in the "Unsigned Hype" column ...

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...azine-says-he-loves-dark-skinned-pretty-girls-0

http://dimewars.com/Video/Wale-Talks-Nigerian-Pride---Fear-Of-Lightskinned-Girls.aspx?bcmediaid=2d817e9c-5618-42a5-9f65-e7402c28b65c

http://www.jprotege.com/wale-nigerian-day-parade/

http://www.getmusic.com.au/wale/biography

http://questionmarkmag.com/2011/08/wale-works-with-african-artistes-for-charity-gig/

http://www.rap-up.com/2009/08/08/wales-attention-gets-sidetracked/

http://afrofusionlounge.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/bunny-mack-interview-no-qualms-about-wales-sample-of-his-classic-song/

http://killerboombox.com/6485/audio/heaters/wale-no-one-be-like-you

http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=788

http://www.census.gov/population/international/

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/sub-saharan-africa/nigeria?profile=intRelations&pg=4

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