Released on July 11th, 2007, Wale’s third official mixtape introduced him to the national stage. During the blog era, he was widely regarded as a mixtape goat. Blending his D.C. Go-Go sound with indie, rock, and soul, this project showcased his lyricism and conceptual depth, distinguishing him from his peers. Mixed by Nick Catchdubs, the mixtape secured Wale a production deal with Mark Ronson’s Allido Records. Standout tracks like “W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.”, “Let’s Ride”, and “Work” highlighted the unique sound emerging from the DMV. Known for his sports metaphors, Wale’s lyrical prowess bridges the gap between underground lyricism and mainstream appeal. With dope production and no features, this project really put light on Wale’s status in the mixtape scene, solidifying his rap charisma and establishing him as a prominent figure in the genre. With our new series, Class Mixtape Run, we are here to bring that feel back like it was 07 all over again! On behalf of Internet Archive, listen to it below!
