Wale Discusses Drug Use, Battling Depression & Wanting Some Respect

“I WANT TO GO TO A PARTY AND NOT HAVE KATY PERRY TELL HER SECURITY TO MOVE ME OUT THE F*CKING WAY”

(AllHipHop News) Wale has had his fair share of hot head moments. He got into a very heated argument with a Complex writer. He yelled at a Toronto Raptors commentator on live television. He got into a physical altercation with a wrestling fan at a WWE event. All of these outbursts may have been the result of the DMV rapper struggling with his own inner conflicts.

[ALSO READ: Wale Ft. Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign – “The Summer League”]

Wale opened up to Billboard about his battle with depression. “The Matrimony” rhymer revealed he began taking pills to deal with his emotional issues.

My confidence was shot, so I’d be taking whatever to keep me in a good mood, to get me in the right mood for an interview. I’m not going into the details as to what I was taking, but there’s definitely something for that. Just like there’s a f**kin’ app for everything, there’s a damn pill for everything. Or something you can pour in your glass. I was depressed not being where I wanna be in my career when I’ve put the work in. I wasn’t sleeping. I was drinking all day and I didn’t have anyone to go to. I couldn’t fight it. Those are some of the demons I talk about on the album.

The Maybach Music Group member also talked about not receiving the critical acclaim and industry respect he feels he deserves.

I gave this my all. I’m not trying to whine about being critically acclaimed or getting in the door, but it breaks my heart. Everyone says, “Be patient. It’ll happen.” But all signs are showing, “No, it won’t happen.” I’m okay with people not liking my music but provide an intelligent reason for why you like or don’t like something or you’re a hater or a d**k-rider. This is my fourth album. I want some respect. I want to go to a party and not have Katy Perry tell her security to move me out of the f**kin’ way. We do the same thing. I know there’s no union in the music industry, but have some respect. I want people to be like, “Your album’s just as good as Kendrick [Lamar]’s or Esperanza Spalding or Beck .” I work just as hard as them.

Wale’s fourth studio LP The Album About Nothing hits stores today (March 31). The project features appearances by J. Cole, SZA, Usher, and Jeremih.

[ALSO READ: Here Are The 15 Most Critically Acclaimed Rappers From The 2010’s]