Once upon a time the record store acted as a central meeting place. There were the iconic spots, like Fat Beats in New York or Deal Real in London, where rappers converged, traded tapes, and built the networks for a growing career. In the digital age, the trading and networking has leaped to the 'net. MySpace, iMeem, and other social music sites make the music that once required travel more accessible than ever. Yet, in spite of the movement to online platforms, there is still space for human interaction in a new set of iconic locales -- namely, streetwear and sneaker boutique.

One may discount this hypothesis, but there is ample evidence to support the claim that the community nature produced by streetwear boutique helps to fill a void created by the demise of the record store. More and more hungry young artists utilize these spaces. They instantly connect with "early adopters," honing in on the newest trends. It's a full integration of lifestyle and marketing. One of the most talented and successful in building a music career with close ties to fashion is Washington DC's Wale.

Wale's rise to national attention reads a bit like a fairytale. After hitting the cover of FADER with fellow DMV area rapper Tabi Bonney, he released an extremely successful mixtape - 100 Miles and Running - with Nick Catchdubs. The tape grew in popularity and made an appearance at MAGIC, with the repackaged 110 Miles and Running opening a connection with New York's 10.Deep. Wale's streetwear connections continued to build from there, and any frequent visitor to The Hundreds site should by now know the face behind the rhymes. Those influential friendships and early successes seem a bit tame, however, compared with the bigger news: Cover of URBs "Next 100" issue. Signed with Mark Ronson. Striking a deal with Interscope.

Even a part of Wale's parcel is enough to make the average bedroom rapper cry with joy. His drive is undeniable. His flow growing more confident with each release. His goal, to bring a Grammy back to DC and balance a desire for worldwide status with a clear and healthy respect for his hometown.

A few months back I spoke with Wale. I jumped around, as one always does when time is short and questions are long. We chatted about everything from working with the Roots to the talented dunker James White. I left with a sense of a man pleased and humbled by all the opportunities granted to him. For the bulk, we taked about DC and streetwear. Wale helped me get a sense of how my thoughts work in reality.