Steven Quimby
English Comp 2
Professor Driver
Poetry Close-Reading Assignment
11.1.11 Theory – Wale The first topic for the poem I chose is Sound or melody/rhyme. In the first seven lines of the song, at the end of each line Wale uses words that sound similar at the end. Some examples are statements; limitations, made it; ovation, and exhauster; flaunted. This gives the song a smoother sound and flow which draws the listener in. The general flow of the song is rather slow in the beginning, but changes pace at the fifth line. For the next seven lines of the song Wale is rapping with an aggressive sound that is faster than the beginning lines. The aggressive sound helps him get his point across better because of the change of flow. The second topic I chose was figurative language; imagery. He starts off the song by saying “Sometimes a simple cadence can get in the way of greatness of an n****s statements”. What he means is Ebonics get into a person’s statements. No matter how great a speech is, saying slang can mess it up. He is also referencing how sometimes the beat gets in the way of the lyrical content of rap songs in most popular hip-hop. Wale also says “See I got more haters and nay sayers than eight Lakers in Boston, so I happen to Phil Jacksons along the way with this talking”. These lines are referring to the classic Lakers-Celtics rivalry. He also sneaks in the Phil Jackson line which is very impressive wordplay. Phil and fill Jacksons, Jackson’s the president on the 20 dollar bill in other words, he makes money off of his words. “Phil Jackson” is also a former coach of the Lakers; Wale uses great wordplay by meaning “Fill jacks-in” as in reference to headphone jacks, because people listen to his music now. The third topic I chose to use for the song is Ideas and theme. In line nine Wale talks about how having passion for a genre of music where passion and emotion are frowned upon in an unforgiving genre. Having passion as a rapper is sometimes seen as gay or Drake-like, especially to gangsters. In
