Key Takeaways:

• Kevin Durant highlighted Wale’s inventive development and consistency in a uncommon postgame second.
• Durant was featured on one among Wale’s mixtape tracks early of their friendship.
• Wale’s new album, every part is lots., explores grief, development and emotional readability.

Kevin Durant provided new reflections on Wale’s profession and inventive longevity after a postgame query concerning the rapper’s newest album, every part is lots. The two have maintained a long-standing friendship relationship again greater than a decade, together with Durant’s function on “The Best In The League” from the DMV rapper’s 2010 mission, More About Nothing.

Following the Houston Rockets’ win in opposition to the Orlando Magic on Sunday (Nov. 16), a reporter referenced Wale’s eighth studio album and the pair’s early historical past. Durant mentioned he not too long ago spoke along with his peer earlier than emphasizing the work ethic he continues to witness. “To see people still have that energy to work on their craft every day, that’s who Wale is. He’s a craftsman,” the two-time NBA champion mentioned. “He likes to just get better at his skill… That’s inspiring to me.” He added that he views Wale as “another OG… setting the tone” and is “just grateful to know him.”

Wale launched every part is lots. final Friday (Nov. 14), marking his first studio LP in 4 years. The mission is described as an introspective physique of labor centered on grief, development and emotional readability.

“I called it everything is a lot. because that’s exactly how life feels sometimes,” he explained in an announcement. “This project follows me as I find peace in the noise, reconnect with my roots and remind myself that heaviness is a part of growth.” The album contains options from Ty Dolla $ign, Leon Thomas, Seyi Vibez, Teni, Odeal, Nino Paid, Shaboozey, Andra Day and extra, alongside manufacturing and samples that rework tracks equivalent to Soul II Soul’s “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)” and Goapele’s “Closer.”

Durant beforehand referenced Wale’s impression on his life in a separate dialog with Rich Kleiman, recalling that they initially met by way of the rapper. Durant mentioned he trusted Wale’s judgment and revered his work ethic early in his personal profession, noting that the introduction performed a big position within the growth of his partnership with Kleiman and the formation of Boardroom.