Grammy-nominated rapper Wale has officially returned with “Blanco,” his first release of 2025, now via Def Jam Recordings. The single, accompanied by a moody visual, marks a bold shift in tone for the D.C. native, known for his poetic lyricism and chart-topping hits like “Lotus Flower Bomb” and “Bad.”
“Blanco” trades swagger for soul, blending bluesy instrumentation with introspective bars and a raw, heartfelt hook sung by Wale himself. The track offers a candid look at the artist’s struggles, touching on his relationship with alcohol as a coping mechanism.
“Artists spend years hiding behind bravado…‘Blanco’ strips all that away,” Wale shared. “It’s the beginning of a more honest conversation I want to have with my audience and how I feel, and I want to give people an opportunity to connect with a more vulnerable side of my artistry.”
The record adds a new layer to Wale’s storied catalog, setting the tone for what promises to be a deeply personal era in his career.