Yardfest is almost here—count down with us! Check out our primer to Kid Cudi and Parick Park, then watch for more Yardfest features to come. Today, we give you a guide to Wale.

This prolific Nigerian-American hip-hop artist is a D.C. native who has produced five mixtapes and one album to date titled, “Attention Deficit,” which The Crimson has reviewed before.

Wale is also known for his collaboration with popular artists like Pharrell for the song “Inhibitions,” Gucci Mane for the song “Pretty Girls,” and Lady Gaga for his hit song, “Chillin.”

Wale, whose real name is Olubowale Folarin, is also not afraid to innovate with his music. His eclectic “W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E” mixes hip-hop with the French techno duo Justice’s “D.A.N.C.E” to create an entirely new song.

The 25-year-old will be performing after Patrick Park and before Kid Cudi. Listen to Wale’s mixtapes and albums in preparation for Yardfest—when he comes, you’ll be rapping like the best of them.

For more on Wale, check ou this FM 15 Questions interview.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.