American rapper, Olubowale Akintimehin, professionally known as Wale, has revealed that record labels tried to hide his Nigerian roots.
The hip-hop star, who was born in Washington, D.C., to emigrant parents from Nigeria, disclosed this during a recent interview with Cam Newton.
He claimed that labels also tried to prevent him from fusing Afrobeats into his music.
Wale explained that despite his labels’ efforts to hide his Nigerian identity, he always represents Nigeria in everything he does.
“Record labels tried to hide my Nigerian roots. They said no to Afrobeats,” he said.
The rapper stated that the global success of Afrobeats music, heralded by artists such as Wizkid and Burna Boy, has impacted the image of Africa positively.
Throughout his career, Wale has signed recording deals with several labels, including Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, Def Jam, Warner, Atlantic, and Interscope, among others.
