Wale is stepping into a whole new lane and taking D.C. culture with him. The Grammy-nominated rapper is officially making his debut as an executive producer with Silk, an upcoming crime drama about infamous ’90s hitman Wayne “Silk” Perry, Billboard reports.
Still in early development, the series will spotlight Perry’s time as an enforcer for New York kingpin Alpo Martinez, whose story inspired the cult classic film Paid in Full. But Wale isn’t just interested in the violence—he wants to capture the energy of an era that made Washington, D.C. infamous and influential all at once.
“D.C. is more than just politics,” Wale told The Hollywood Reporter. “We have a rich, Black history that’s inspired audiences around the world, and it’s time to tell more stories that are based here. That era in D.C. was internationally famous. The Redskins were winning Super Bowls, the mayor was indicted by the FBI, Joe Biden passed the crime bill, and D.C. had 482 homicides — the highest in the country.”
For Wale, Silk isn’t just about crime; it’s about context. He’s looking to weave the stories of D.C.’s go-go music, sports highs, political scandals, and street culture into a narrative that does justice to the city’s history.
“At the same time, our regional genre of go-go was thriving, and Def Jam, the label I’m signed to now, was the first major label to sign a go-go band with a song on the Hot 100 produced by Rick Rubin. There was a lot going on, and we want to weave all of these stories together,” Wale explained.
To ensure the storytelling is authentic, Wale has also acquired ownership in Perry Industries, the production company that holds the life rights to Perry’s story. That move solidifies his role not just as a creative voice but as a decision-maker on how the narrative gets told.
This marks the rapper’s first time producing, though he’s no stranger to the screen. He’s appeared in Starz’s American Gods and 2022’s action film Ambulance. And while Silk is brewing, fans won’t have to wait too long for more Wale content, because he’s also preparing to drop his eighth studio album this fall, his first under Def Jam.
From topping Billboard charts to taking over television, Wale is proving that D.C.’s stories deserve to be told on every platform.
There is no word yet on when Silk will begin production, but we’ll keep you updated.
Cover photo: Wale to Produce New Crime Drama About D.C. Hitman Wayne “Silk” Perry/ Photo credit: Wale/Instagram