Album Review: Attention:Deficit by Wale

 

November 10th finally came and its time to see if Wale delivered on his debut album Attention:Deficit. If you’ve been checking out the site then you know we’re fans of his work (me especially) and now its time to see what the fuss is all about. Check out my track by track break down of Wale’s Attention:Deficit.

1) Triumph- The opening track starts with a nice little backdrop for Wale to dig in and show his lyrical ability. Here he just stakes his claim for belonging as a rap artist.

“…my vision isn’t set on the money i get/ but more or less the vets, i’m coming for y’all neck/ I ain’t jealous or vexed, just feeling how you felt when you came on less/ change is imminent/ I asked Mr. West for a little bit of help / but realized us new niccas gotta get it ourselves”

2) Mama Told Me- It’s a real energetic track where Wale dives into dealing with being a new rapper from DC and not necessarily being supported by his hometown that he reps for. In the end he definitely proves doubters wrong and shows he belongs.

“I’m Sorry Hip-Hop it took me so long, to get on, but so long that I’m on it, it’s on/ I’m repping for the scholars and the hustlers, meanwhile/ show Mama I ain’t drop out for nothing / I swear these dollars gonna add up/ and I ain’t shallow, material things suppress bad luck/ it’s why I shine like I does / it’s pain in my eyes but these Yves Saint’s blind you to look”

3) Mirror ft. Bun B- On Mirror Wale raps about people who don’t practice what they preach therefore can’t truly look in the mirror.

“…feel like the only rapper that look at you with no trouble / its easy on TV make them believe what they be seeing/ Mirrors never lie so they keep eyes up on they re-runs/ For fear of what you show them / reality is golden / real recognize real, you need some ID to be noticed / one of the coldest to mix Pro Tools with your vocals / what the fans can’t see that Mirror gonna notice”

4) Pretty Girls ft. Gucci Mane- The first party type song on the album and it’s heavy on the go-go sound (D.C. music) that Wale is known for incorporating in Hip-Hop. I definitely think this song has huge potential.

“What you sippin on, it’s no problem/ Black & Gold bottles like I’m pro New Orleans/ but shorty I’m far from a Saint but I got 2 Amex’s that look the same way/ Wale, DC that’s me hun/ My Prada’s say Prada and they Prada’s say Fila”

5) World Tour ft. Jazmine Sullivan- Real uptempo track that feels like an anthem type song. Here he just talks about making as a rapper and doing his thing around the country and world.

“Mama ain’t raise no fool, true/ but me and my brother never made it out school/ she prayed on me passing that Bar / It’s way different mom you see i’m passing out bars/ the definition of a jet setter, I’m Hip-hop still living like a goodfella”

6) Inhibitions (Let it Loose) ft. Pharrell- The first record that seems “directed” at the ladies. Another song I wasn’t a fan of initially but it serves its purpose. The song is kind of like a girls wanna have fun record where he speaks to them and for them.

“Free before 12, 11:30 when they go in / and they gonna get a table cuz they flirt with the promoter/ vodka and soda, pineapple and patronin’/ now hold the beat a second/ pose for the photo….”

7) 90210- This record focuses on females trying to chase that famous lifestyle and make it by any means necessary.

“Ms. Rodeo, tell me where your day go/ part-time waitress, she really wanna make it in the city of lights/ it’s hard to see clear, she don’t really care about anyone advice / and nothing here’s real, and everyone’s alike / cuz everyone dreams of the millionaire’s life”

8 ) Shades ft. Chrisette Michele-Throughout promoting the album Wale talked about the album dealing with raw emotions. I think this track displays that better than any other song on the album. Here he talks about growing up having an issue with his skin complexion. This is a big issue in the African-American community and I think he definitely portrays this conflict very well.

“I never fit in with them light skins/ I thought the, lighter they was, the better that they life is/ so i resented them and they resented me”

9) Chillin ft. Lady Gaga- By now if you’ve been following him you’re familiar with this song. The first single from the album is the most radio friendly song on the album. Another party type song, still knocks to me though.

10) TV in the Radio ft. K’naan- This track kind of has a throwback type beat but Wale and K’Naan definitely go in on this joint.

“Why they getting grammys when these niccas is acting? / they phony should get Tony’s for the things they be yappin/ it’s utterly bologna so I’m Muslim to these rappers”

11) Contemplate- Kind of a moody track where Wale talks about a girlfriend that likes to party too much, dealing with fame, and issues with fans. This song has a nicely placed Rihanna sample on the hook. Decent song.

“….One hater for every nicca on it/ One day everybody is applauding, the next day you is everybody target/ Why bother? Why talk to em…”

12) Diary ft. Marsha Ambrosius- Here Wale speaks to females who are insecure from issues they may have had with others in their past.

“She can’t see in me, what I see in her/ this pain she inherit, can’t be reversed”

13) Beautiful Bliss ft. J Cole- One of the strongest songs on the album. The track is a feel good song aimed at just enjoying life and the beautiful things in it. J Cole mans the second verse and absolutely destroys this track. One of the best verses I’ve heard this year hands down.

J Cole: “I’m definitely in a class of my own / at dinner with Hov / hoping that he pass the baton / he just pass the Patron / ain’t nothing given dog it’s earned if you just living dog you learn / I let you niggas see the light, i’m like the prison yard, I yearn / for that living large but mama i ain’t done yet/ sit back and watch your son rise (sunrise), kick back and know your son’s set (sunset)”

14) Prescription- Last song on the album where Wale goes in speaking on himself being the prescription for what’s needed in hip-hop music.

“I focus on the void then I fill it/ hoping the depressed ain’t give in and give up/ so listeners, give up your ears its your hero from here on a hero like high I give off, live off my la/ hear my lullaby/ they itching for a new breath here’s the calamine”

Overall I think its a very good debut album. Wale’s style is a bit unorthodox but once you sit back and really listen to what he’s saying, I’m convinced you’ll like his music. I definitely think he has a bright future in front of him and on his debut he proved he is worth all the hype and attention he’s garnering. If you’re looking for something other than the norm check out Attention:Deficit.

Wale: Mama Told Me

 Wale: Shades

Wale Feat. J. Cole: Beautiful Bliss

Tagged as: Album Review, Attention:Deficit, Wale