Washington, D.C. rapper Wale announced his affiliation with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label in a live performance video clip that recently surfaced on the net- leaving many fans confused as to the XXL freshman’s allegiance. XXLMag.com spoke to Wale’s manager, Daniel Weisman, to explain the deal.
According to Weisman, Wale is still signed to Mark Ronson’s imprint Allido on Interscope Records but now, along with his company Elitaste,Inc., he will also be co-managed by Roc Nation.
“[It] just sort of happened organically,” Weisman said of the new partnership. “Wale went on tour with Jay-Z last summer and got to know the Roc Nation people – [he] went on tour with Mark Ronson, who was opening for Jay-Z in the U.K. Got to know [Jay] and it just seemed like a good move for him to do that.”
Jay has several names attached to his Roc Nation imprint, a reported $150 million deal he brokered with Live Nation last year. He has signed up-and-coming North Carolina MC J. Cole, and is in talks with former Roc-A-Fella rapper Young Chris. HitsDailyDouble.com reports that Roc Nation has already signed up a sizable roster of emerging producers and songwriters as well.
As for Wale, Weisman says that his debut is done and is expected to hit stores this summer. The album will also feature cameos from Lady Gaga - who is on his lead single “Chillin” - Bun B, Marsha Ambrosius, K’Naan and Melanie Fiona. It will include production by Mark Ronson, Cool & Dre, and DJ Green Lantern, among others. – Elan Mancini
XXL
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