{"id":303997,"date":"2013-06-13T19:44:23","date_gmt":"2013-06-14T00:44:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=303997"},"modified":"2022-09-13T01:48:58","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T06:48:58","slug":"lyrics-unlaced-wale-88","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/lyrics-unlaced-wale-88\/","title":{"rendered":"Lyrics Unlaced: A Guide to Wale’s “88”"},"content":{"rendered":"
“On my vision board, I look at MJ jumping across that line, and I want to ball out in my own way” – Wale<\/strong><\/p>\n People find inspiration in a multitude of places. Wale’s passion for sneakers and sports are well documented both on this site and in the lyrics of his music. The DC-based, Maybach Music Group rapper is dropping his third album on June 25th entitled, The Gifted<\/em>. On the heels of the much anticipated album, he tapped into the inspiration that he garnered from the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contest that saw Michael Jordan capture the title with an astonishing dunk from the free throw line while rocking the Air Jordan 3<\/strong>. Wale used that memory to pen the soon-to-be-classic “88”<\/strong> single that debuted today in Chicago.<\/p>\n Snkrs Day delved into the lyrical power of this record to explain the importance of Jordan references found within the song’s numerous metaphors. Follow along as we give you A Guide to Wale’s “88”<\/strong>, focusing on the references to Michael Jordan, his sneakers and the Windy City. Check them out and give us your favorites in the comment section.<\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> Michael Jordan attended Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. Jordan did not make the Varsity as a sophomore, but starred on the JV squad. Inspired by the Laney Buccaneers team colors, the Air Jordan 5 Retro+ 3\/4 Hi “Laney” was released in May 2000.<\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> Michael Jordan attended the University of North Carolina \u2013 Chapel Hill. The Tarheels are known as legendary basketball powerhouse.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> The Air Jordan 5 analogy continues, with Wale matching his sneakers to his cigarillo.<\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> Michael Jordan returned to the NBA for a second time in 2001 as a part of the Washington Wizards, not the Chicago Bulls. He wore the Air Jordan XVII during the 2001-2002 Season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> The word “bred” is a slang term in the sneaker community for the combination of a black-based shoe with red accents. Taken after the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, the “bred” colorway is a staple for Air Jordans.<\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> The Windy City is the home of many of Michael Jordan\u2019s best basketball moments and one of Wale\u2019s favorite shoe stores. LEADERS is a boutique in Chicago that Folarin is known to frequent as well as a brand he\u2019s accustomed to rocking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> The \u201cHare\u201d VIIs is an Air Jordan VII model that originally released in 1992. The nickname was inspired by the pair Bugs Bunny wore in the “Hare Jordan” commercial. The shoe released again as a part of the 7\/16 \u201cCountdown\u201d Pack in 2008. O\u2019Hare International Airport is the major airport in Chicago.<\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> Sam Bowie was infamously drafted second in the 1984 NBA Draft; one spot ahead of Michael Jordan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> The Air Jordan XI “Space Jam” was first revealed in the movie Space Jam<\/em> featuring Michael Jordan in 1996. However, they did not release until 2001. The Air Jordan 11 \u201cSpace Jam\u201d is one of the most popular in the Jordan Brand catalog.<\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> In 1985, NBA commissioner David Stern banned the initial colorway of the Air Jordan 1 due to it not meeting the league’s uniform policy. Jordan was fined $5,000 every time he wore the sneaker, which created enough buzz for the shoe to become extremely popular. In a risky move, Nike paid all of Jordan\u2019s fines, and the colorway is now one of the most popular in the Air Jordan line. The Air Jordan 1 \u201cBanned\u201d released in retro form in 2011.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> Wale purposely pronounced forfeit as “four feet” to insinuate two pairs of shoes. The Air Jordan “Defining Moments” Pack (DMP) was released in 2006 featuring a special edition Air Jordan XI and Air Jordan VI and was the first Air Jordan release to be a two pair offering. The DMP featured the Air Jordan XI and the Air Jordan VI in two unique black and gold colorways. It is still considered one of the most popular Air Jordan releases of all time.<\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> “Rap touring” is another play on words. The Air Jordan VII “Raptors” originally released in 1992. Though a charcoal infused “Raptors” 7 released as a part of the Air Jordan VII 60+ “Defining Moment” Pack in 2009, the shoe returned in 2012 in its original form. Reference:<\/strong> Michael Jordan retired after the 1992-1993 NBA season, returned to the NBA in 1995. Upon his return, he wore the jersey number 45 for 17 games due to his number 23 being retired. Before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Orlando Magic, Jordan switched back to the number “23.” The NBA fined the Bulls $100,000 for allowing Jordan to switch his number without notifying the league.<\/p>\n“I\u2019m in my Laney\u2019s but nothing JV about this balling”<\/h2>\n image via kixclusive\n
“My rapping skill is on Chapel Hill but you ain’t see it (UNC)”<\/h2>\n
“Grape swisha\/My V\u2019s on”<\/h2>\n
“Never Michael Jeffrey in XVIIs\/I\u2019m staying with my team”<\/h2>\n
“I got a black and red joant\/I bet they thinking bread”<\/h2>\n
“I got that Chi-Town love\/I\u2019m in LEADERS gear”<\/h2>\n
“Soon as I see O\u2019Hare………….VII”<\/h2>\n
“These rappers is Sam Bowie to me”<\/h2>\n image via Bleacher Report<\/a>\n
“This is no Space Jam I\u2019m out the globe stunting”<\/h2>\n
“I\u2019m a one man band\/I\u2019ll probably Jordan 1\u2019em”<\/h2>\n
“And all my singles golden\/I will not forfeit this my defining moment”<\/h2>\n
“11 Pairs of VII’s\/They touchin’ my rap touring”<\/h2>\n
\n<\/p>\n“And when I\u2019m 45 I\u2019ll do it like I\u2019m 23”<\/h2>\n
“And premature tell me I\u2019m wrong if a n**** swing\/I feel you, Jack\/I was just waiting ’til the 6th ring”<\/h2>\n image via Laker Nation\n