Bruh, I remember living in Northern Virginia/Woodbridge and seeing Wale walk through the Forever 21 entrance at the Potomac Mills Mall. I had to be 16 or 17 years old. I almost kept walking, but then I doubled back and grabbed my BlackBerry out of my purse. MAN LOL! I remember going up and asking for a photo. I handed my phone to someone else in the crowd and when they lifted it up to take the picture, WALE TURNED HIS FACE FROM THE CAMERA AT THE LAST SECOND. WHAT?! The guy who took the photo was just as flabbergasted and handed my phone back like, “Better luck next time!” I wish I still had the picture. BlackBerry photos were already blurry enough! When all the stories came out about his “diva” behavior I felt vindicated. Dont meet your heroes folks! JK, I didn’t really care at the time - atleast I got the photo! 

On another note, Potomac Mills was THEEE best mall to live by. Peak “chilling at the mall all day on a Saturday” vibes. I was playing a couple of Wale songs for Kevin recently, and he’d never heard some of them. You really just had to be there!!1! Growing up in Northern Virginia during that time was such a BLESSING! The more I reflect on my youth, the more grateful I am for it. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

SIDE NOTE LOL! I remember talking to my mom recently about how I had a North Face growing up during that era. She then broke the news to me that it was a bootleg she bought in China when she was on a work trip. TEARSSSSSSS 😭 My entire life was a lie !!!!!! I may never forgive her.  I was only 12 though - thank god I wasn’t in highschool.