Wale attended Robert Morris University and Virginia State University on football scholarships, then transferred to Bowie State University but dropped out due to academic reasons. Wale's love of the game of football and the Washington Redskins has led to a longstanding rumor that Wale had a tattoo of tight end Chris Cooley. He is the cousin of actor Gbenga Akinnagbe, best known as Chris Partlow on HBO's The Wire. Wale's first recording was called 'Rhyme of the Century'.
It was his first song to ever be played on local radio.
