For Wale's most recent LP, The Album About Nothing, the rapper called up SZA, Usher and J. Cole to guest on a few tracks. Perhaps the biggest and most unlikely collaboration, though, came in the form of comedian Jerry Seinfeld. The professional jokester, who narrates the album, spoke to The New York Times recently about the partnership.
It was Seinfeld's wife, Jessica, who introduced him to Wale's music some time after the rapper released The Mixtape About Nothing, a nod to the comedian's legendary TV show.
"So I had heard his name and then he came to a show and asked if he could say hello, so he came backstage. I thought he was a very charming young man. And then I heard about the mixtape, and he came up with the idea of doing the whole album. It just felt so offbeat and that's what appeals to me," Seinfeld said.
The album features song titles that begin with "the," which is another nod to Seinfeld considering all of the episode except one began with the article.
As Rolling Stone notes, Seinfeld is also the rapper's conscience on the album, which made it to number one on the Billboard 200.
"Wale, to me, he has a little bit of hypnotic sound in his voice," Seinfeld added. "There's a richness to his emotion. When you listen to the music, you can feel what he's feeling and I like that. Great singing always has that."
The album's artwork features Wale sitting at a booth in a restuarant much like where Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine spent a solid chunk of time on Seinfeld.
Look at my friend @Wale! On point. On fleek. On top! https://t.co/QMWYd5tbmt
— Jerry Seinfeld (@JerrySeinfeld) April 3, 2015
