On June 9, 2025, the BET Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles not only celebrated music’s greatest moments—it also delivered one of the season’s most talked-about viral interactions. During his stream, Twitch and YouTube star Kai Cenat, at ease amid the buzz of celebrity excitement, encountered Wale. The moment was captured on camera and spread like wildfire as Wale—a Grammy-nominated, chart-topping rapper—realized the streamer didn’t recognize him, even though the two had shared a celebrity football game the previous year.
This viral encounter has led to a public conversation about fame, respect, and how legacy acts and new media influencers engage in an evolving cultural ecosystem. Here’s everything you need to know.
A Chance Encounter in the BET Parking Lot
Backstage, with cameras rolling, Wale casually greeted Kai Cenat, who was live on Twitch at the time, playing Super Smash Bros. on his Nintendo Switch. Cenat enthusiastically challenged him to a gaming match—but it soon became clear Kai wasn’t sure who he was talking to.
As he settled into the backseat of a black SUV, Kai turned to his audience:
“The whole chat knows him. What [does] he do?”
He even called him “Wally.”
Wale responded later:
“That sh– making me look crazy now… They running with it, but we’ll talk later.”
On The Shade Room, Wale added:
“This is crazy. I didn’t know we was being filmed both times… we played in a celebrity football game last year… I was really confused.”
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The Backstory: Same Team, Different Worlds
In February 2024, ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, Wale and Kai Cenat were teammates during a star-studded celebrity flag football game. Wale is no stranger to high-profile sports events, and Kai’s stint there helped fuel his meteoric rise in the streaming world—yet this already-made their confusion all the more surprising.
😂 Wale Turns the Moment into Memes
Rather than let frustration show, Wale joined the internet fun. On June 10, he posted a humorous spoof on X (formerly Twitter), featuring the clip and writing:
“Y’all not on Smash fr.”
The post cracked up fans and boosted engagement, proving Wale’s ability to pivot from awkward to playful—and to stay culturally relevant.
A Moment That Symbolizes a Cultural Shift
What made this viral moment resonate wasn’t just the awkward tension—it was what it represented: a generational crossroad between legacy artists and digital influencers.
Wale: D.C. Royalty and Hip-Hop Mainstay
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Born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin on September 21, 1984, Wale rose to prominence with regional hits like “Dig Dug (Shake It)” before signing with Mark Ronson’s Allido Records and eventually Maybach Music Group.
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He has released seven studio albums including Shine (2017) and Folarin II (2021), showcasing his lyrical dexterity and blend of D.C.-inspired go-go rhythms.
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Notable hits include No Hands, Lotus Flower Bomb, and Ambition—songs that became anthems for 2010s hip-hop and cemented his place in the culture.
Kai Cenat: Streaming Sensation & Internet Powerhouse
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Kai Carlo Cenat III, born December 16, 2001, in Brooklyn, became a content king via Twitch and YouTube.
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He leads the Any Means Possible (AMP) collective and holds the record for most-subscribed Twitch channel in history—close to 730,000 subscribers.
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Known for prank videos, hype streams, celebrity meet-ups, and viral slang like “rizz” and “gyatt,” Cenat drives real-time digital influence.
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His streams have recently landed him mainstream backlash, including a Twitch account takedown over a “texting-while-driving” livestream—though he’s since bounced back .
What We Can Learn From This Moment
1. Generational Recognition Isn't Guaranteed
Fans and commentators have pointed out that public figures and creators no longer move in the same circles. Wale is a veteran of MSM airwaves and rap tours; Kai’s fame is algorithmic, billboard-free, and built on engagement-based visibility.
2. Comedy Bridging Cultural Triangles
The best part? Neither Wale nor Kai handled the moment poorly. Wale's lighthearted approach diffused potential tension, while Kai remained humble enough to film it. The result: culture watchers are calling for collabs—maybe a Smash Bros. showdown or music-meets-stream session.
3. The Streaming Era’s Influence on Hip-Hop
Kai’s ability to walk up to Kendrick, Kevin Hart, and Snoop Dogg during the BET Awards—without missing a beat—shows how streaming can rival traditional star power. It’s a reminder that reach now often starts on a screen, not a stage.
Kai’s 2025 BET Awards: More Than Just a Meme
Kai’s night was more than just Wale footage—he live-streamed:
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Meeting Kendrick Lamar post multi‑award wins
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Co-presenting alongside Druski and Kevin Hart
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Candid chats with Ciara, Young Thug, Lil Wayne’s daughter Reginae, and others.
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His presence demonstrated how a streamer can authentically infiltrate music culture—without placeholders or producers involved.
Social Media Reacts
X (Twitter) and TikTok were hot with commentary:
@hiphoprespects: “If Kai don’t know Wale, what are they teaching these kids?!”
@genzvoice: “Wale been quiet for years. Don’t be mad at Kai.”
@streamculture: “This should end in a Smash Bros tournament, winner gets a collab.”
The fact that fans are joking about future collaborations shows how both men—by just being themselves—kept the moment alive past the initial clip.
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