On Friday (Jan. 20), Wale revealed that has grandfather has passed away.
“I lost my grandfather today,” the “Lotus Flower Bomb” hitmaker wrote in statement on his Instagram Story. “He made it to 103. I been staying low lately and [letting] God talk to me. Imma smile as much as I can today. Embrace your family! None of this means anything without them. Rest now, Oga. A true Ondo State legend. [Dove and Nigerian flag emoji].
In another post, the DMV rapper shared a screenshot of a recap written by The Source on his 2014 Revolt TV documentary Wale: I Am From (Mo Wa Lati). It told a story about Wale going back to his home village in Ondo State, Nigeria where he met his grandfather for the first time.
The article reads, “At one point his father tells an interesting anecdote that those from his home village were not surprised by Wale’s success and almost had a ‘no surprise’ type attitude thanks to his great grandfather happening to be the man who brought the ‘talking drum’ to their home village of Ondo State.”
It continued, “After making last minute emergency plans and possibly pulling some strings to expedite the trip, Wale’s grandfather arrives and thing[s] truly take a turn for the incredibly heartfelt. With his father watching on Wale’s grandfather explain[s] to him not just his pride in Wale but that his time [on earth] is nearly at its end and that meeting Wale finally has left him at peace and able to move on.”
We send our prayers and condolences to the rapper and his family.