American rapper Olubowale Akintimehin, professionally known as Wale, has revealed that record labels made deliberate attempts to conceal his Nigerian heritage throughout his career.
During a recent interview with Cam Newton, the Washington D.C.-born artist, whose parents emigrated from Nigeria, disclosed that music industry executives not only tried to hide his Nigerian roots but also actively prevented him from incorporating Afrobeats into his music.
"Record labels tried to hide my Nigerian roots. They said no to Afrobeats," Wale stated during the interview. Despite these obstacles, he emphasized that he has always made conscious efforts to represent Nigeria in everything he does.
Afrobeats' Global Impact
The rapper acknowledged that the global success of Afrobeats music, pioneered by artists such as Wizkid and Burna Boy, has significantly improved Africa's image on the international stage. This recognition comes at a time when Nigerian artists are increasingly gaining worldwide acclaim and reshaping perceptions about African music.
Throughout his illustrious career, Wale has signed recording contracts with numerous prominent labels including Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group, Jay-Z's Roc Nation, Def Jam, Warner, Atlantic, and Interscope, among others.
His revelation highlights the ongoing challenges that artists of African descent face in the global music industry, particularly regarding cultural identity and artistic expression.
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