
Wale Talks About Love And Says Men Should Stop Running From Fatherhood

Does anyone remember when Wale used to talk about love, relationships and #thatthing as a guest blogger for Honey Magazine? Well it looks like he's no longer running from those things since his longtime girlfriend Chloe Alexis recently gave birth to their first child, Zyla Moon Oluwakemi. The couple previously experienced a miscarriage that Wale rapped about on his single "Matrimony".
One thing for sure is that Wale has wanted children for a while now. A few years ago while on a promo run he talked about fatherhood and how he couldn't wait to experience it as well as the issue with men and women staying together.
"I just feel like we just can't keep running away. I can't wait until I have kids because I've got so much love to give them. That's going to be what's going to give me that peace that nothing is ever going to be able to give me. We just can't keep running away. A lot of times women do add to it now too, like women, a lot of them like to manipulate men and use their children as pawns. I always say, 'Why use you're child as a pawn, when there should be a king and queen?' Like, a lot of women will be like, 'Oh, you're not
going to come and pick your child?,' when in actuality they really wanna say, 'You're not going to come over and make me feel okay or give me some type of attention? I've put on this weight since this baby and I ain't been looking the same and my self-confidence ain't what it used to be and I need some type of attention.' That's what it really means sometimes. They tried to make it seem like the [guys] don't care about their child or whatever. But for the most part, black women can't keep running away. That's a cycle that's been around for years."
But Mr. PYT himself wasn't always so sure about commitment and relationships; blaming his habit to shy away from monogamy on his flaws.
Wale and Bria Murphy on set of Wale's "Matrimony" video
"Because of my attitude, my greed. The nature of a man I embody that. I'm a living embodiment of all the flaws, greed, the selfishness. I've got all of those things. I'm just knowledgeable enough to speak on them and I'm secure with where I am in my life. A lot of men keep it inside or are living in denial. I just live my life that way."
At least he was honest!
There were also times when he didn't believe in love and hadn't quite figured out what it was.
"I went through years at a time where I didn't even really believe in it. I thought it was all chance and chemical imbalance. It was kinda euphoria, when its like the right time, the right place, the right shape, the right situation. When you think something is going on in your mind and in your heart but in actuality its all lust. As growing I'm still trying to figure out what love is to me. But I think it is different to everybody though. I really do think there's a different internal definition that's beyond words for everybody [and] for what love is. There's relationships where people really can feel love but there not magnums. So, everybody's description of love might be different and I'm still trying to figure it out."
It seems like all that has changed now with the birth of his daughter. We wish Wale and Chloe much happiness and congrats!
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole