The Wale run is in full gear as the DC hit maker is finally releasing his long-awaited album The Album About Nothing tomorrow, March 31st, in stores everywhere, but it hasn’t been all fun and games for Wale in the last couple of years. Let’s just say that it’s been made clear on countless occasions that Wale will always speak his mind about anything and everything, and he doesn’t mind letting his emotions get involved. Just ask, Complex.

Recently, Folarin sat down with Billboard to discuss some of these past issues, specifically including his past drug and drinking habits and not being respected in hip-hop the way he believes he should be. Wale blames the lovely Twitter trolls for getting into his head on more than one occasion, and he also feels as if he hasn’t received enough critical acclaim for the music he’s released in the last couple years, including his number 1 album Ambition in 2013.

As for the drugs and drinking, Wale admits that he turned to those things due to being unhappy. With multiple family issues taking place within months of each other, in addition to the musical drought he found himself in, it’s time for Wale to flip the script and find his way back on top of the game once and for all.

Read a couple quotes from his interview with Billboard below and check out the entire interview here. The Album About Nothing hits stores tomorrow.

On drug use and drinking:

My confidence was shot, so I’d be taking whatever to keep me in a good mood, to get me in the right mood for an interview. I’m not going into the details as to what I was taking, but there’s definitely something for that. Just like there’s a fuckin’ app for everything, there’s a damn pill for everything. Or something you can pour in your glass. I was depressed not being where I wanna be in my career when I’ve put the work in. I wasn’t sleeping. I was drinking all day and I didn’t have anyone to go to. I couldn’t fight it. Those are some of the demons I talk about on the album.

On not being respected

I gave this my all. I’m not trying to whine about being critically acclaimed or getting in the door, but it breaks my heart. Everyone says, “Be patient. It’ll happen.” But all signs are showing, “No, it won’t happen.” I’m okay with people not liking my music but provide an intelligent reason for why you like or don’t like something or you’re a hater or a dick-rider. This is my fourth album. I want some respect. I want to go to a party and not have Katy Perry tell her security to move me out of the fuckin’ way. We do the same thing. I know there’s no union in the music industry, but have some respect. I want people to be like, “Your album’s just as good as Kendrick [Lamar]’s or Esperanza Spalding or Beck.” I work just as hard as them.