FIRST TAKE Premieres New Opening with Theme Song by Recording Artist Wale

FIRST TAKE, ESPN2's morning debate show featuring debaters Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith with host Molly Qerim, will premiered a new opening theme song, created exclusively for the show entitled "Every Word Great" by Grammy-nominated recording artist Wale.

Wale, who created the show's previous opening theme song in 2013, worked closely with First Take's producers to develop custom lyrics that complement the show's goal of informed, entertaining debate.

"Being asked to write the new theme song to FIRST TAKE is a big deal to me being such a big sports fan and former college athlete," Wale says of the experience. "I was honored when they asked me to write the current one, and jumped at the opportunity when they asked if I'd write the new one. I grew up on ESPN and now I'm writing their theme songs? Man, that's what this whole EveryBlueMoon movement is about. Plus, Skip, Molly and Stephen A. are family."

Kevin Wilson, ESPN music director, added, "Wale's theme captures the attitude of the show while giving it an edge and a modern vibe that sets it apart from other sports-based theme songs."

In addition to serving as a new theme song, the new show opening reflects the July addition of Molly Qerim as host of the show. "We wanted to incorporate Molly into the open, and since the show has recently been evolving and ratings are booming, it couldn't come at a better time. Wale understood our mission and really took it seriously to create version 2.0," explained First Take's coordinating producer Antoine Lewis.

Watch the full opening here or tune-in to FIRST TAKE weekdays on ESPN2 at 10 a.m. ET.

About First Take
First Take is televised weekdays on ESPN2 from 10 a.m. - noon ET. Host Molly Qerim is joined by debaters Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith, two powerful personalities who discuss the most topical issues of the day. FIRST TAKE debuted in May 2007. The show's popularity has continued to increase. For the past four months (September - December 2015), FIRST TAKE has posted its most-watched months ever. All four months sit atop the leaderboard as the show's highest-rated month ever at 0.4 and the week of December 7 was First Take's most viewed week ever with an average of 518,000 viewers.

About Wale
Grammy-nominated rapper Wale is one of the most idiosyncratic talents in hip-hop. The Washington, D.C. native began unleashing his distinct mixtapes in 2005, with his debut album, "ATTENTION DEFECIT," arriving in 2009. After signing with Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group imprint in 2011, he released his BREAKTHROUGH sophomore album, "AMBITION" - which spawned the Grammy-nominated hit single "Lotus Flower Bomb (feat. Miguel)" - followed by 2013's "THE GIFTED," which debuted atop Billboard's "Top 200 Albums" chart. Wale released his highly anticipated fourth studio album, "THE ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING," on March 31, 2015, which is his most eclectic, entertaining and personal album to date, and features the hit single "The Matrimony (feat. Usher)."

The album sees Wale continuing his famed "About Nothing" mixtape trilogy, inspired by his favorite TV show, Seinfeld - a relationship that has since blossomed into a real life friendship between Wale and Jerry Seinfeld himself. The legendary comedian is prominently featured on "THE ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING," serving as the album's conscience, according to Wale. In addition to being one of the most prominent figures in music today, Wale has become a thriving entrepreneur. He serves as the CEO of hat & accessory line, WRKNG TITLE, as well as also recently being named creative ambassador for the NBA's, Washington Wizards.

For more information on Wale, please visit: www.walemusic.com.

Image: ESPN Press

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