"Wale is the LeBron James of Rap"

MTV Shows

...according to this MTV News piece, which also contains the above video.

"Wale is the LeBron James of rap. Other rappers, including Lil Wayne, have claimed that title, but think about it: Before James played one game in the NBA, he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and ESPN broadcast his high school games. Wale has yet to release an album, but this is his second feature with MTV News.

James had various companies — including Nike — champing at the bit, waiting for him to graduate. Wale has appeared in ads for nearly every streetwear brand — including Nike — waiting for him to blow. They have both traveled the world, but they still rep their hometowns big-time (Cleveland Cavalier LeBron is from Akron, but it's close to Cleveland).

LeBron handled the pressure of being the "next big thing" better than anyone would have imagined, and Wale is taking it in stride as well."

Word.