One of the standout records in Wale’s catalog continues to leave its mark more than a decade after its release. The single “LoveHate Thing”, featuring Sam Dew, was officially RIAA certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on June 20, 2025, representing over one million units in sales and streaming equivalents in the United States.

Originally released on May 21, 2013 through Atlantic Records, the song served as the second single from Wale’s critically acclaimed third studio album The Gifted. The record became one of the album’s defining moments, blending soulful live instrumentation, hip-hop storytelling, and an uplifting musical arrangement that resonated far beyond the traditional rap audience.

Behind the scenes, the record was the result of a powerful creative collaboration. The song was co-written by Wale, Sam Dew, Antonio Palmer, and legendary vocalist and musician Stokley Williams of Mint Condition. Production was led by Washington, D.C.'s own Tone P and Sam Dew. Stokley Williams played and tracked the bass and guitar sections on this record. 

During the recording process, Tone P also stepped into a musician’s role performing live percussion, specifically congas, adding a rhythmic texture that helped shape the emotional groove of the record. The production sessions took place at Zac Recording, now known as Astro Studios, in Atlanta, Georgia.

A D.C. Rhythm at the Core

While LoveHate Thing carries a universal soul sound, the rhythmic DNA of the record draws inspiration from Washington, D.C.’s musical heritage. Tone P’s percussion and arrangement approach subtly reflects the percussive bounce and groove philosophy rooted in D.C.’s Go-Go tradition—a sound built on live rhythm, pocket, and human feel.

Rather than directly replicating Go-Go, the influence shows up in the live percussion layers, rhythmic spacing, and organic groove that drive the record’s musical foundation. It’s a reminder of how D.C.’s musical culture continues to shape records heard around the world.

A Moment Captured in the Studio

Photos from the original studio sessions capture the creative moment, Tone P working alongside Stokley Williams and Sam Dew as they crafted the production for Wale. Those sessions produced a record that would go on to become one of the defining songs of The Gifted era.

Over a decade later, the Platinum certification serves as another milestone for the record and for the collaborative team behind it.

For Tone P, the moment represents something bigger than a certification. It’s another example of how Washington, D.C.’s musical influence continues to travel through the broader sound of modern hip-hop and soul.