Songfacts®:

• This soulful song was released as the second single from Wale's third album, The Gifted. Critics have compared its sound to that of Marvin Gaye's classic number, "What's Going On." Prior to the tune's release, Wale had continually tweeted about "#NewBlackSoul."
• The song finds Wale rapping about what fame does to a person as his rise to the top, only to find that he's lost the love of the ones he grew up with because of jealousy. "Love you then they hate you then they love you," Wale states at the beginning. "Hate you then they love you then they hate you."
• This features vocals by Sam Dew, which he also supplied the beat for along with Stokley and Tone P.
• The song was previously titled "Indian Giver," which is a colloquial American term for someone who expects something in return for a gift. The now decidedly non-politically correct phrase alludes to the supposedly duplicitous dealings of Native Americans. The 1910 Fruitgum Company had a #5 hit in 1969 with a song of that title.
• Wale tweeted: "The idea behind 'LoveHate Thing' is what comes with shine. Passive aggressive hate from those closest to you. I feel like everybody can relate."
• In 2023, TikTok creator @spencetiktoklegend originated a dance trend using Wale's "LoveHate Thing." This trend saw a resurgence on January 27, 2025, when TikTok user @skyesdalimitt added her own twist to the choreography, creating a new viral moment for the song.