A recent Instagram post from Maybach Music Group rapper Wale has put him at odds with fans who seemingly failed to recognize his African heritage and instead misinterpreted his intent.
Wale and his girlfriend Chloe Alexis were celebrating their daughter Zyla Moon’s first birthday when he posted a video of money being showered upon her, a Nigerian cultural practice symbolizing good fortune.
Text on the video noted they were celebrating the Nigerian way, which was denoted by the country’s flag.
The cultural significance was lost on countless Instagram users who seemed to suggest that the act was inappropriate.
One user noted, “It’s like they’re getting her ready for her future career, just need the stripper pole.” Another posted, “What do you think about the negative message that the girls will learn at an early age … shit, one little girl already knew what to do with the money, making it rain and picking it up.”
On the flip side, several others — including Wale — reminded fellow social media users that this was, in fact, a Nigerian tradition. But with such an active comment stream, posts became buried as fast people could write them.
One particular user who said, “Have some class … showering her with dirty bills ain’t a good look if you know what I mean,” which prompted a response from Zyla’s aunt.
“Zyla moon is my niece, she’s a very special, intelligent, charismatic, and sweet one-year-old … her mother would never let her be subject to anything harmful or degrading in any way,” she said, while adding (again) it’s a cultural tradition.
Another user commented, “You fake bruh … now you hardcore repping Nigeria, ugh.” This points an underlying lack of knowledge about Wale’s cultural background, which led to a heated exchange with vlogger Anthony Fantano back in May.
Fantano, who seemingly hated Wale’s latest album, Shine, took particular issue with the song “My Love” and accused Wale of capitalizing on the “Caribbean craze.” This prompted a response from Wale who questioned Fantano’s right to tell an African what African music “should” sound like.
Wale, a Nigerian American whose parents immigrated to the U.S. in 1979, responded to the backlash again on Twitter, writing, “Some of y’all poppin’ off in the comments [need to] realize the world is bigger than ur home.”
Check out the posts above.
That act of spraying money was actually outlawed in Nigeria some years ago
Boom roasted #wale #wale #wale #wale #wale #wale #wale
Since when we did it last saturday at a wedding u joker
Yeah. But peeps still do it. Sone many things outlawed in naija but peeps still do them.
What a wasted article Wale doing something lame these fading artist are starving for attention and HHDX played right into it
His daughter look just like him.
So he will chop off her arm if she doesn’t work hard? That’s also a tradition, right?
you really are a dumb ass FOOL , thats the problem with you ignorant African Americans, thats why you are where you are in your ‘own’ country and Africans are excelling past your dumb asses
I usually don’t get involved in the ignorance and divisiveness but first off, how do you know the people making disrespectful comments about Africa are African Americans? How can you determine that? Secondly, if Africans are doing better than American Blacks in the U.S. then why aren’t they doing great in Africa? Why come to the U.S.? Africa is the richest continent on earth, Nigeria is awashed in oil and other resources, why do Africans have to come here to succeed? Never mind, you probably don’t have an answer for that, most of you don’t. Africans and people of African descent have been in a bad spot since the 1500s so don’t make it worse with divisiveness.
Because like your mentality, our economy is colonized. We do well here because the opportunity is there. Don’t say anything of a continent you have not lived within.
First, there’s really nothing like “African American”. It is high time America accept “American blacks” as simple: Americans!
Answer to your question: Africans don’t have to migrate to the US to succeed. Most of us do very well back home before we leave for the US or Europe, and a lot of us inherently aim globally, so we pursue exposure at all cost. A lot of us are doing very great here in the US and GREATER back in Nigeria! On spraying $$$, I’ll advise all these insensitive and nonchalant fellows to pick a leaf from Nigerians and BIAFRANS…. make it rain on the right persons not on Str££#p$$
Southern Nigerian or Northern Nigerian? There’s a massive cultural difference.
What’s your point bro? Like what’s the function of your question?
@shelf
I usually don’t get involved in the ignorance and divisiveness but first off, how do you know the people making disrespectful comments about Africa are African Americans? How can you determine that? Secondly, if Africans are doing better than American Blacks in the U.S. then why aren’t they doing great in Africa? Why come to the U.S.? Africa is the richest continent on earth, Nigeria is awashed in oil and other resources, why do Africans have to come here to succeed? Never mind, you probably don’t have an answer for that, most of you don’t. Africans and people of African descent have been in a bad spot since the 1500s so don’t make it worse with divisiveness.
You call yourself the Truth but fail to see the truth yourself. The continent has been pillaged for centuries and Africans accross the world are still meant to believe the dream is in Europe and in the US! Also American blacks are also Africans so that further shows how ignorant you are… Read a history book before forming opinions. I’ll end there
Plz educate dat guy. I dnt know why most of them think we succeed more over there than here. Did Dangote nid to travel to the States or Europe to become the richest man in Black skin? Did P K Fokam nid to go over there to become successful? Some of these guys really nid to know more abt us. Truly
The rise of afrobeats has made a lot of ignorant people uncomfortable. Afrobeats is the gluethat is uniting the west african diaspora all over the world. And its music for the whole world no matter where you come from to enjoy!! West Africa’s gift to the world.
PS To the uninformed that is a Nigerian tradition
Most African Americans are very ignorant towards Africans they think we live in the jungle…. was watching one wizkid interview he did in the states and guy was like “do people know future’s mask off” bruh wat the fuck do u think we dont have the net or something but then Wale does an afro beat record and they say its wack…. I guess that Africans should be the ones to listen to afro beats only.
I’m sorry some African Americans think Africans live in the jungle, but it is what we are taught. The imperialists also gave Africans negative views of African Americans. It’s to keep us separate. But our ancestors knew we needed to be in communication and exchange. Think Nkruma, Garvey, DuBois, Guevara, Lumumba… Peace.
Much respect to Wale!!! Respect to Nigeria!!! I was born in America & I speak 3 African languages….when will black America understand that WE are one!! ONE BLACKNESS!!!
That’s reason they aren’t respect in American coz they feel there are superior more than real black Africans but they forget there history that they are slaves but we are real black African with dignity, fuck them !!!
These ignorant Americans…smh….we as africans do have our own way of doin shit u knw
all americans aren’t ignorant remember that 😉 at the end of the day we are all Afrikan my brother
I think most people are haters in general as their second nature or 1st? people have to many opinions about stuff they’re not qualified to speak on but still they do. Ray charles to the bullshit, represent your culture you do not have to explain yourself to those unwilling to dialogue respectfully about what they do not understand.