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Though the writing has been on the wall for a few months now, Rap Radar reports (via Wale‘s Twitter, naturally) that Wale has officially inked a deal with Rick Ross‘ fledgling Maybach Music labe. Let’s briefly consider the ups and downs of this situation:
Pros: Wale now has more direct access to Southern-style production where, as we’ve mentioned before, he’s actually very comfortable—-the prospect of a Wale x Lex Luger collab is exciting; Wale now has a formal and significant co-signature within the hip-hop nation—-Ross will be able to promote him to actual rap fans as opposed to Mark Ronson and Jimmy Iovine, who often pushed him as a dance/pop crossover act; Rick Ross doesn’t have Lady Gaga‘s phone number; Rick Ross does have Meek Mill‘s phone number.
Cons: Wale’s music will likely move even further away from anything resembling a DMV aesthetic; the high likelihood that Wale will never actually release an album under an imprint that barely exists; the potential involvement of DJ Khaled; the fact that Wale is still Wale.
The Maybach Music Group is currently being courted by major labels and Wale’s seemingly tenuous co-management situation with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation remains in place.