Wale – Attention: Deficit Album Review

Wale - Attention: Deficit

Artist: Wale

Album: Attention: Deficit

Release Date: Nov 10 2009

As Wale releases his long awaited debut album the question is, can he translate his mixtape success to a major label release?  While he has been able to bring some much needed attention to the DMV rap/hip hop scene, will carrying a city on his back be too much or will he handle it with grace and become a star?

Triumph: On this Drum and trumpet heavy Kanye West track, Wale does his best to introduce you to his style of metaphorical delivery.  ” Tommy Frazier on the 1’s and 2’s/or Michael Vick if yall bark ni**a yall through.” 3.5/5

Mama Told Me: Wale slightly infuses Go-Go into this track with the congo drums playing in the background of this soulful track.  Here he raps of the hardships that occur while he’s trying to put the DC rap game on the map. He seems to flow effortlessly over the track with ease. 4/5

Mirrors Feat. Bun B: Easily one of my favorite tracks.  He once again collaborates with one of my favorite Rappers, Bun B on a major level.  Though he is out shined, he holds his own against the veteran in a tale of how he believes he is better than the current slate of  rappers. 4.5/5

Pretty Girls Feat. Gucci Mane & Weensey: Not one of my favorites on the album.  To no fault of Wale but his features seems to fail him.  Gucci Mane is at his best, if you call it that and Weensey’s voice drives me crazy.  This song really fuses current hip hop with the Go-Go I grew up on. The instrumental is heavy with drums and is great for his third single. 2.5/5

World Tour Feat. Jazmine Sullivan: He teams up with Jazmine Sullivan on the second single to explain how his life is like a world tour and the problems that this jet setting can cause.  Stress, not getting due respect, disappointing his parents because if his choice of career, relationship falling apart but also the good things that come along with it. 4/5

Let it Loose Feat. Pharrell: Pharrell jumps on this track to add another element to this already dope instrumental. Wale seems to be holding back as he flows with Pharrell on the hook. 3/5

90210: This is one of my favorites as well.  Here he raps over a crazy bass heavy instrumental about the perils of living the fast life.  Lyrically taking us through a journey of how a girl will do anything from bulimia to cocaine to be a part of the ‘in’ crowd. 4.5/5

Shades Feat. Chrisette Michelle: As a darker skinned brother with a once  anti light skinned girls complex I can totally relate to this song.  Here he takes us through a time in his life when Black wasn’t so beautiful.  Chrisette’s beautiful voice compliments this track and his verses so well as she croons the hook. 4.5/5

Chillin Feat. Lady Gaga: The lead single off the album.  Teaming up with Lady Gaga on this smash as he raps about the lighter side of rap. 4/5

TV in The Radio Feat. K’naan: Teaming up with fellow African K’naan (Somalian) for an African connection of sorts.  Once again he seems to be holding back and is almost outdone on this one as K’naan raps the hook and gives a great end verse. 3.5/5

Contemplate Feat. Rihanna: He contemplates why he’s with a female that doesn’t want to be with him. The relationship is over as they contemplate why. He definitely gives his all over this slow instrumental. 4/5

Diary Feat. Marsha Ambrosius: Another slow track accompanied this time by Marsha Ambrosius (Formerly of Floetry).  This time he puts himself in the shoes of a young black girl as she writes in her diary about the bad relationships she’s in with him. Very well written. 4/5

Beautiful Bliss Feat. J. Cole & Melanie Fiona: This is beautiful bliss! Basically.  Here the future of Roc Nation (well, not exactly. See Wale is signed to Interscope as an artist but is managed and does his touring through Roc Nation/Live Nation) team up to wreak havoc on this track.  With Melanie Fiona’s soulful voice on the chorus and J. Cole providing the best verse I’ve heard in a long time, this song is definitely a hit.  Wale is out shined once again by his featured guest but still provides a well written verse nonetheless. 5/5

Prescription:  A nice horn heavy instrumental that he metaphorically describes himself as the prescription to the sickness that has taken over hip hop.  He is that medication that he hopes will save the game.  He ends this song and album masterfully with a spoken word rant of sorts about hip hop. 3.5/5

This album is an introduction for some to his ability as a lyricist.  Though at times I feel that he was holding back and could have done a better job, the wait for this album was worth it.  I feel like some of his metaphors and punchlines can get lost in the record at times because he throws so many out at once.  You may not get what he’s saying until you’ve replayed the song a few times.  Some of the standout cuts are Mirrors, 90210, Shades, TV In The Radio and Beautiful Bliss. This is a feature heavy album and at times that can play to his advantage like on Shades and sometimes to his disadvantage like Pretty Girls. Though it could have been better at times, it beckons back to a time in hip hop when lyrics actually meant something and made sense.

Overall, this album is solid for a major label debut and he proves that he can make the jump from the underground to Major label success. I give this album a 3.5 out of 5.

Solid Album. Worth the Purchase.