Multi-platinum rapper Wale dropped the official music video for “Watching Us” ft. Leon Thomas. Originally arriving in November 2025 via Def Jam Recordings, “Watching Us” emerged as a standout from Wale’s eighth studio album, everything is a lot., instantly cementing its status as a critic and fan favorite. The song’s romantic vibe is anchored by a nostalgic sample of Goapele’s classic song “Closer,” providing the perfect canvas for Wale’s introspective lyricism and Leon Thomas’s buttery vocals.
With Leon Thomas fresh off his two Grammy wins at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards and Wale continuing to cement his status as one of hip-hop’s greatest storytellers, the cinematic visual serves as a victory lap for two of the music’s most essential voices. Directed by Hidji, the music video juxtaposes the stillness of relationship intimacy at home with the glare of the nightlife scene, capturing the complexities of maintaining a private connection while in the public eye.
Upon its initial release, “Watching Us” was met with fan love and critical acclaim, with Complex calling the track “a cuffing anthem that reimagines Goapele’s classic and could rank among Wale’s greatest hits,” and VICE declaring it “a vibe-heavy romantic tune… that you will definitely want to add to your date night playlist.”
About Wale
Wale has been one of rap’s most versatile and enduring artists since his breakout 2008 mixtape, A Mixtape About Nothing. Blending striking social commentary, confident lyricism, Seinfeld-inspired irony, and anthemic storytelling, he helped merge backpack rap with mainstream success, earning Platinum and Gold plaques along the way. Born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin to Nigerian immigrant parents in Washington, D.C., he pursued football in college before shifting to music, scoring his first local hit with 2006’s “Dig Dug (Shake It).” His critically acclaimed A Mixtape About Nothing solidified his reputation for tackling complex themes with nuance, paving the way for a major-label debut, Attention Deficit (2009), and later success with Ambition (2011), The Gifted (2013), The Album About Nothing (2015), and more. Aligning with Rick Ross’ MMG, he delivered Platinum hits like “Lotus Flower Bomb” and “My P.Y.T.,” proving his staying power. After a brief hiatus following Folarin II (2019), Wale returned in 2023 with a new deal at Def Jam, a #1 Nigerian hit, and a Kennedy Center headline show celebrating The Gifted. Now, with his highly anticipated eighth album on the horizon, he’s ready to begin his next chapter as one of hip-hop’s greatest writers.
