Wale
With the strength of an energetic band and a sound full of Southern fried funk, the artist known as Wale, (pronounced Wah-Lay) rocked the stage at Syracuse University’s Schine Underground last night.
The new school Hip Hop artist, born of Nigerian parents, is making a name for himself (he was born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin). His impressive performance gave the (young, mostly white) audience an appreciation for Go-Go flavor that was made famous by pioneers such as EU, Rare Essence and Chuck Brown. The crowd seemed very familiar with WALE’s sound and waited somewhat impatiently for him to hit the stage. “We Want Wale!”
During Wale’s rendition of the Junkyard Band’s “Sardines” I saw a group of students, from either DC or Maryland, including SU Basketball player Arinze Onuaku, rocking to the Go-Go beat. (Didn’t know the big man could move so fast).
Go-Go Beat