Despite what you might think, celebrities are truly some sensitive folks too. Especially the rappers.
Wale sat down for an interview with Hot 97 before Summer Jam this past weekend and in it, he was asked about the state of his relationship with Tiara Thomas, whom he teamed up with for “Bad.” The song has been one of his biggest hits so far, and it definitely helped Thomas receive the exposure she deserved. And it was so much exposure that she was able to sign with Rico Love’s Divison1/Interscope Geffen A&M. And while this is a great thing, it’s had a negative affect on the working relationship Thomas has with the rapper. They worked together for two years according to Wale, and he assumed they were friends. But somehow, the singer going out, signing with a label and doing what’s best for her is somehow a sign that she’s turned on him. He spoke on why he took forever to sign her and why she had to do what “was in her best interest.” Here’s his response when he was asked whether or not the multi-talented artist was on his label:
K. Foxx: That’s your artist? She’s signed to you?
Wale: “I was a casualty of the game. That bitter reality just hit me but it’s all good, shout out to Tiara Thomas and her new situation. I don’t want to go there- shout out to Tiara Thomas though. She’s a dope artist, she’s an incredible artist.”
Ebro: “Blink twice if I got it right. Tiara Thomas jumps on Wale’s song “Bad” after spending six months–
Wale: “Two years…”
Ebro: “…potentially wanting to be an artist that is groomed under Wale. You put her on the song “Bad.” “Bad” becomes single, all of a sudden Tiara Thomas doesn’t want to sign to Wale, she’d rather do something else…”
Wale: “…Shout out to Tiara Thomas and her new situation. I wish her the best. “Bad” is an incredible record, she wrote it. She got a situation, they doing what they gon’ do with her and shout out to her and her situation. Their situation met through me. I was recording with the “situation” she’s in now and they met. It’s just the game though. My thing is, I don’t believe in paperwork too soon cause I like to show and prove what I can do. And like, I ain’t want to scare nobody. Like yo ‘let’s make the music, let’s vibe.’ You live and learn so that’s why I’ll kick myself before I complain about somebody else. It’s the music business. Like a lot of these people ain’t ya “friend”-friend for real like that sometime. She got her situation and she’s happy and I learned. I got a big heart and I give, give, give, give. I take dudes from off the street back home and be like ‘C’mon, you run with me we gon’ make you this money and find you a niche.’ She did what she had to do. She did what she thought was in her best interest. And I guess that’s what all people do. So shout out to her and her situation. She’s dope. If you want to support her, you should support her. I’m not going to throw shade at her, it just it what it is. I learned. She’ll have a great career.”
I can tell that he had a lot on his mind that he wanted to rant about, because you could hear the disappointment in his voice. However, folks have to eat, and as he said, this is the music business. And on a sidenote, “Bad” was Tiara’s song first, so it’s not like he really “put her on” when it comes to the track. But let this be a sign to everyone in the industry: If you don’t hurry up and sign people, provide them what will take them to the next level, then most will roam to another home. Too bad for both of them though, hopefully they can smooth things out soon.
Check out video of his sit-down with the Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg show with K.Foxx and Ebro. The part about Thomas starts around the 13.00 mark.
