By Steven Roberts
With in the past year, I've been to four Wale shows. That's a lot, especially for a guy who still doesn't have a proper studio album out (though he'll rectify that on September 22 when Attention: Deficit hits the streets).
Granted, half of the shows I attended were for work, but I kind of know the show inside and out at this point. With that said, I seem to enjoy myself each time.
Last night I caught his "world famous" (as he likes to call it) show at the Private Park atop the Hudson Hotel in New York City for the first installment of the Svedka Vodka Sessions. This wasn't the typical crowd of people I normally see at a Wale show. Generally the audience consists of a bunch of kids from the New York downtown scene, and while that contingent was represented, there were many more folks I don't often see: Women. Classy women, dressed in heels, some who loved Wale and some who just wanted to have a good time. But no matter what their motive, everybody got the same thing I get every time I catch the show, which is a thorough taste of just who this D.C. MC is.
D.C. is known for two things musically: Marvin Gaye and go-go music. Wale has said that he was raised on go-go, and that he wants to bring a little piece if D.C. with him everywhere. That is a tall task, especially given how specific go-go is to the nation's capital and is invisible everywhere else, but I'm always amazed to see New Yorkers clapping along to the percussion.
Tonight was no different. This was probably the most intimate show I've attended, but the place was still packed with people — fans and first timers alike — clapping, dancing, singing and rapping along. It's hard enough snapping photos for the blog with a cup of vodka in one hand, so imagine how difficult it is with people dancing around as well.
All in all, it's great to hear and see Wale grow as an artist. His audience has become more diverse, and people are starting to embrace his city's sound. I guess the show is really starting to become world famous.