Today, Grammy-nominated rap legend Wale has made his highly anticipated return with new single “Blanco”. The single is out now, available on all digital streaming platforms via Def Jam Recordings. Listen here.
“Blanco” marks Wale’s first release in 2025, building on his legacy as one of rap’s most enduring and versatile artists and adding to a chart-topping catalogue which includes Platinum and Gold records “Bad,” “Lotus Flower Bomb,” “My P.Y.T.” and more. This somber, bluesy record builds on Wale’s long-standing tradition of nuanced storytelling with a newfound vulnerability, as he shares his own heartfelt vocals on the hook. Through “Blanco”, Wale takes an unorthodox approach to his return, divulging with his fans the harsh realities of relying on alcohol to cope with life’s challenges.
Wale shared his intentions behind the record stating, “Artists spend years hiding behind bravado…’Blanco’ strips all that away. It’s the beginning of a more honest conversation I want to have with my audience and how I feel, and I want to give people an opportunity to connect with a more vulnerable side of my artistry.”
As one of the DMV’s most celebrated MCs, Wale has collaborated with chart topping artists including Rihanna, Lady Gaga, SZA, Miguel, Rick Ross and more. Wale returned to music in 2023, following a brief hiatus, with a new deal under Def Jam Recordings. His return was marked by a feature on Odumodublvck’s “Blood On The Dance Floor” which went #1 in Nigeria for 8 weeks. Shortly approaching is The Album About Nothing’s 10 year anniversary which peaked #1 on Billboard 200.
“Blanco” is available now on all streaming platforms. For more updates on what Wale has planned for this year, follow him on Instagram.
Wale has been one of rap’s most versatile and enduring artists since his breakout 2008 mixtape, A Mixtape About Nothing. Blending striking social commentary, confident lyricism, Seinfeld-inspired irony, and anthemic storytelling, he helped merge backpack rap with mainstream success, earning Platinum and Gold plaques along the way. Born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin to Nigerian immigrant parents in Washington, D.C., he pursued football in college before shifting to music, scoring his first local hit with 2006’s “Dig Dug (Shake It).” His critically acclaimed A Mixtape About Nothing solidified his reputation for tackling complex themes with nuance, paving the way for a major-label debut, Attention Deficit (2009), and later success with Ambition (2011), The Gifted (2013), The Album About Nothing (2015), and more. Aligning with Rick Ross’ MMG, he delivered Platinum hits like “Lotus Flower Bomb” and “My P.Y.T.,” proving his staying power. After a brief hiatus following Folarin II (2019), Wale returned in 2023 with a new deal at Def Jam, a #1 Nigerian hit, and a Kennedy Center headline show celebrating The Gifted. Now, with his highly anticipated eighth album on the horizon, he’s ready to begin his next chapter as one of hip-hop’s greatest writers.
