“Smile,” Wale
Wale’s “Smile” is an atypical political anthem in that it does not appear to be angry. It has a bounce to it and a step that could easily been heard as a feel good single put out by the D.C. hero to celebrate life. And to a certain extent it is … but it is more … it is a comfort song that gave his fans a coping mechanism to cling to during the destructive and racist Trump years.
The chorus sang a chant of gratitude during the conflucksh*t and the prophetic and cautionary tale what was about to pop off in 2017 with this crazy new president.
He said, “I got my family and I got my squad. And as long as they got me, then I’ll be just fine. So, I give God the glory ‘cause I have my child … and America don’t want me … That’s when I realized that we all need a reason to smile … I said we all need a reason to smile … Said it’s about to be O.D., but we gon’ survive … That’s why we all need a reason to smile.”
It seems the former Maybach Music lieutenant understood not only the peril that lied ahead of the nation, but also sought to share how ridiculous it was for the nation to elect 45 in the first place.
“And a possible bigot slash misogynist is about to run the whole damn thing… and the ballot my sister filled in another city didn’t do a goddamn thing. I’m a go crazy.”
What wasn’t true? Donald Trump not only said on television that he’s “grab them in the p*ssy,” but voter suppression and disenfranchisement has been so flagrant in American politics that Stacey Abrams and others have formed programs like Fair Fight to empower those who have lived their lives in constant fear that their votes don’t matter.
Wale’s first full verse (technically the second) also communicates in rapid speed the various things that he has to fall back on — relating to Blackness and the struggles with what we now know if the worst administration ever to exist in the country.
“The Alt Right hate us… some Black baby mommas hate us … We only learn half of the drama, other side crazy … On behalf of Charlamagne, I’m sure he ain’t tradin’ sides. Maybe I should meet Tomi Lahren, I’ll Lauryn Hill her. I’m just a young Black rappin’ @ss African … Ain’t never wanted to have it and now he has it his own way. I’m smokin’ purple, the law enforcement be murkin’ brothers. The moon lit and I’m Cottonmouth like Mahershala.”
“It’s like you got a curse if your currency low … The world is a dirty fuckin’ experiment. They don’t care if its hurtin’ us.”
But like the song title suggests, while there are all of these issues that could destroy people of color, there is a reason to song.
“Black lives matter, ’cause black lives target practice. Can’t even imagine what would happen with no phones cameras … Black lives matter Black live the dopest ever … Just wanna remind you, I think it’s time that we show it better forever.”