WHAT’Z YA PHONE # (Freestyle) Lyrics – Wale

WHAT’Z YA PHONE # (Freestyle) Lyrics Meaning

[Intro]
There isn’t much happening lyrically in the intro—it’s more of a vibe setter. Wale’s coming in confident and cool, getting the listener ready for a raw and unfiltered freestyle. The tone is laid-back but sharp, and you can feel he’s about to let some real thoughts out.

[Verse 1]
Wale starts this verse making it clear he’s not available today—he’s turning his phone off and tuning people out. When he says to pick someone else for the day, he’s basically saying he’s too busy or uninterested in dealing with nonsense. “Airplane mode” here isn’t just about the phone—it’s a mindset. He’s isolating himself from distractions, especially women who bring drama. Even though he’s already on another level—comparing himself to being on the moon—he still feels like he needs more space. That’s his way of saying that even success doesn’t bring peace when you’re constantly pulled in different directions.

He flexes his hustle with the mention of traveling from state to state in his “Oregon eights” (Nike kicks), showing he’s always on the move. The line about making people duck unless they wanna fly plays with flight and fear—people either stay out of his way or get swept up in his momentum. Then, he throws shade at other rappers, mocking how their fame is short-lived—they go viral and then fall off quickly. He stays grounded while they chase clout.

Even though some of the lines are cut off or unclear, you can tell he’s playing with witty punchlines, like making a girl do dishes, or pulling out money like it’s a raffle ticket—basically saying he gets money effortlessly. He refuses to “parlay” with others, meaning he’s not into gambling with his energy or wasting time. He calls himself a “maverick,” showing he doesn’t follow the crowd and operates differently.

As the verse continues, Wale touches on how people can’t really match his mind or moves. He hints that others are passive-aggressive or chasing money without purpose, while he stays real and sharp. Toward the end, he talks about running his own race with speed and stamina, even if others can’t keep up. There’s a chaotic energy in the flow, but at the core, he’s saying: I’m in my own lane, I’m focused, and I’m not here for approval or fake love.

[Verse 2]
Here, Wale’s talking more directly about the rap game and how it’s full of people who are fake, greedy, or just doing the most for attention. He sees through it all and he’s tired of it. He understands why people act wild or insecure—it’s the environment they’re in—but that doesn’t mean he’s gonna play along. He’s not trying to fake relationships or kiss up to anyone in the industry, and that’s part of why his path is harder but more genuine.

He calls out artists who do anything for money and clout, like performing for social media just to get likes and attention. It feels hollow to him. Then he brings up how people can throw shade at you one moment, then act friendly the next. That fake energy just adds to his anxiety. He says paranoia is something he deals with a lot, and even reading industry stories or being in that world can feel scary or dark.

There’s a part where he seems to be talking about how disconnected people are from real reading and understanding—like everyone’s just scrolling or reacting, not thinking. He wants to bring real intellect and depth back into things. He feels like the industry pressures artists, but he sticks to his writing, his creativity, and drowns out the noise with a bottle and his pen. He’s ready for whatever comes his way.

He gets into this tough, battle-ready mindset—his metaphors turn to weapons and war. His bars hit hard, like comparing them to Godzilla relapsing. He says he’s done caring about fitting in or failing. He’s not ashamed of any setbacks, and he knows he’s got people who support him even when he’s low. Then he switches to talking about money, flexing a little, but also reminding people not to judge his worth by material things like outfits or flashy stuff.

He finishes with a playful line about being 5’9″ but liking tall women—or challenges—something that pushes him. Again, he reminds us he’s not trying to fit into boxes. He wants to stay unique, climb higher, and stay real, even when the pressure’s on. The repetition in the last few lines kind of adds a rhythm that brings the verse to a cool close.

[Outro]
In the outro, Wale repeats the idea that he’s not answering calls or letting anyone disturb his peace. He’s staying in airplane mode—mentally detached from distractions. The moon and space lines come back to reinforce how distant and focused he is. He’s constantly traveling, doing his thing, wearing his signature kicks. The repeated mention of “Number 8” could be a subtle nod to greatness—maybe referencing Kobe Bryant—or just a chant to close things out with energy and swagger. Either way, he’s zoning out and staying in his own world.