[AUDIO] NSFW: Wale Makes An Irate Call To Media Outlet, Threatens Bodily Harm Over List Snub
Wale’s emotions got the best of him this week and unfortunately (or fortunately for us), it was all recorded. The 28-rapper was livid after learning that he didn’t make the cut of Complex’s “50 Best Albums of 2013” List. Long story short, the Maryland bred emcee felt that at a very minimum, his The Gifted album should have made the cut. Complex recounted the story, with the writer who spoke with Wale giving his version of the conversation:
I took the call, and spoke to him for less than three minutes. In those three minutes (which can be heard in the video above), Wale claimed that staff members at Complex had a personal bias against him, then started shouting and making threats.
‘At this point, you know it’s got to be personal,’ he said. ‘You telling me it’s not personal. It’s like a bold face lie. To be omitted from every type of list that y’all do or be at the bottom of it or every type of way that y’all can omit me, ya will.’
I told him it was not a personal thing. He cut me off.
‘You mean to tell me Juicy J album better than mine?’ he said, his voice rising. ‘Is that what you trying to tell me?’
He did not give me a chance to answer. But, yes: I do like Juicy J’s album better than the The Gifted. Juicy J’s Stay Trippy is one of my favorite albums of the year. And, yes, it very popular around the Complex offices, moreso than Wale’s album. Although it just so happens I was one of the voices in the office advocating for including The Gifted in the Top 50. I like The Gifted. I think it’s good. But I was outvoted.
When I tried to explain how our lists are formulated, Wale cut me off: ‘I swear to God I’ll come to that office and start knocking n****s the fuck out,’ he screamed. I tried to talk to him calmly. ‘Alright,’ he said. ‘I’ll see y’all tomorrow. Get the security ready.’
Then he hung up on me.
Yesterday, we reached out to Wale’s label and invited him to our offices. We talked to Wale’s management and tried to set up another interview, one which we hoped might lead to a more constructive dialogue. Our requests were declined.
The site also included the actual audio. Take a listen. [Editor’s Note: The audio does include profanity.]