With image as the sole selling feature of Hip-Hop records these days and a lot of untrained ears buying, it’s easy for an emcee to succeed without needing talent or innovation. Arguably, for the last decade, little has been done to re-shape the genre’s status quo sound.

Fortunately, Washington, DC is home to a breath of fresh air. Wale, pronounced (Wa-Lay) spits lyrics that are cohesive, entertaining and intelligent. Man, the dude just flows.

With a unique approach that could be defined as a cross-pollination of underground musical styles, it’s no surprise that this major talent remains unsigned by a major label. Anyone with knowledge of what is actually contemporarily relevant will know that Wale is burying these sugar-coated bling rappers six feet deep.

Have a listen to “W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.”

Yeah you read right, Wale ripping on Justice’s Dance beat. Fuck Yeah!