Wale
Album: Attention Deficit
Release Date:November 10, 2009

review:
The next generation of hip-hop is here and they are coming at music listeners full-force! There is Drake and Kid Cudi, and then there is someone I can directly relate to: an artist by the name of Wale Folarin. I relate to him so much because we are the same age and from the same place. A place that has for so long struggled to get our talent recognized and respected, namely by the hip hop community. Ginuwine, Mya, Raheem DeVaughn and Toni Braxton all hail from our area, but what do they have in common? They are singers. But Wale is finally giving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia the chance to show that we are immensely talented just as rappers from New York, California and Florida are. We always knew it, but did the nation? Well, if you don’t know, now you know. Ladies and gentlemen, Wale!

"Attention Deficit" is the debut album. "Chillin’" is the first single, which features the super-talent Lady Gaga. "Chillin’" is one of those tracks that is very easy to like because of its infectious hook and great beat. Wale raps over the song with great one-liners effortlessly. This song was given a good amount of airplay, but it’s just a small sample of his capabilities. For Wale at his best, listen to this entire album, and also pick up his mixtape, "A Mixtape About Nothing." The beats on this album are innovative, but they are undeniably hip-hop. Features include Bun B, Chrisette Michele and Melonie Fiona. The song which features Chrisette, "Shades", is profound. So profound that it will have to sitting in a corner picking apart each line. The song is about the insecurities of a dark-skinned person and how lighter people seemingly have it easier. "World Tour" is another highlight and this is where Jazmine Sullivan lends her talent. The two talents do a fine job with this collaboration.

It’s funny, yet ironic, how the legendary Jay-Z noticed Wale’s talent and asked him to open for him on tour and they both released albums this year. If you loved Jay-Z’s album, "Blueprint 3", give Wale a chance because he’s a budding talent who wants your attention, just as his album title suggests.

Track listing

1. Triumph [Explicit] 2:25
2. Mama Told Me [Explicit] 3:38
3. Mirrors [Explicit] 4:16
4. Pretty Girls [Explicit] 4:11
5. World Tour [Explicit] 3:48
6. Let It Loose [Explicit] 4:49
7. 90210 [Explicit] 3:22
8. Shades [Explicit] 3:56
9. Chillin’ [Explicit] 3:24
10. TV In The Radio [Explicit] 3:20
11. Contemplate [Explicit] 3:33
12. Diary [Explicit] 4:32
13. Beautiful Bliss [Explicit] 5:04
14. Prescription [Explicit]

No profanity, or inaproppriate remarks.