“Why Can’t I Say My Album Is As Good As ‘Reasonable Doubt?'”

Maybach Music Group's Wale recently updated fans on the status of his forthcoming sophomore album, Ambition, and his aim to have the album worthy of being labeled as a classic.

While sales appeal to some artists, Wale claims he is mainly focused on the project’s content.

“None of us have been able to create a critically-acclaimed album so to speak,” Wale said in an interview. “That was my goal to try to do that. I ain’t really into selling because I’m doing pretty good. I got records on the radio for the first time in my career. I’m just trying to make a classic album, something that you can put up there with [Jay-Z‘s 1996 debut] Reasonable Doubt and all the stuff that’s blasphemous to compare your work to now. Why can’t I say my album is just as good as Reasonable Doubt or I’m trying to beat Reasonable Doubt? That sh*t is blasphemous to say.” (XXL Mag)

The Washington, D.C.-bred emcee elaborated on his aim to reach Jay-Z’s status.

“They just think that’s ’cause people are too lazy,” Wale added. “Young n*ggas won’t let themselves be great and old n*ggas won’t let young n*ggas be great. Jay-Z’s my personal friend. Jay-Z’s a n*gga that I idolized when I was younger. Why the f*ck you telling I can’t try to beat his album?” (XXL Mag)

Last year, Wale said Jay-Z nearly signed him to Def Jam during his run as the company’s President.

“Jay’s my man, like, I met Jay-Z three years ago when he was at Def Jam,” Wale explained. “I almost had a situation there but he left. He kept me under the wing and I get to go a lot of places that I probably couldn’t afford and eat things I can’t pronounce and stuff like that. But touring with Jay, like being the opening act in arenas and it’s only 20 percent full, we may or may not have a dressing room, it’s good. It’s like bieng a freshman on a football team. And I pay my dues, and I think a lot of times artists feel like you’re supposed to give it to them.” (“The Mo’ Nique Show”)

Wale’s 2009 debut, Attention: Deficit, landed on the sales chart just outside of Top 20.

Rap newcomer Wale’s long-awaited Attention: Deficit landed on the chart this week debuting at No. 21. After seven days on store shelves, the rapper’s new album shelled out 28,300 copies. (SOHH Sales Wrap)

Wale’s Ambition is slated to hit stores November 1st.

Check out some recent Wale footage down below: