Brooklyn’s latest PLLRS speaker series featured Grammy-nominated rapper Wale, who spotlighted his story, touching on his hip-hop heritage, his sneakerhead status, and the sonic shifts guiding his soon-to-be-released set.

Moderated by veteran culture journalist Keith Nelson Jr., the Little Engine Media event was hosted at Soho Works in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood. The intimate conversation paired Wale with longtime manager Kazz Laidlaw for a candid discussion about his career, sneaker influence, and evolving sound.

The evening brought out tastemakers, press, and industry insiders, offering a rare glimpse into the artist–manager dynamic and the business strategies shaping Wale’s next chapter.

Quit Your Day Job set the scene by transforming the venue into the “Quit Your Day Job Country C

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