Customer Reviews

Attention Deficit [Vinyl]

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "Chillin'"

2. "World Tour"

3. "Shades"

4. "Beautiful Bliss"

5. "Pretty Girls"

There is NO doubt in my mind that in "Attention: Deficit," Wale has crafted one of the standout hip hop albums (not mixtapes) of 2009. Though there are a few songs that I can't fully get behind, I think that from start to finish, this is an album worthy of your listening time that will age well as you take the time to get to the bottom of Wale's rhymes.

In the grand scale of hip hop, I'd place Wale as slightly left of center -- he's no Lupe Fiasco rapper-turned-indiebloghero, but at the same time, he's eons more thoughtful than anything you'll hear on the radio (no Soulja Boy). His rhymes and topics are more self-aware and socially conscious than most of the hip hop mainstream. His two biggest mixtapes were a Seinfeld-themed and -sampling lament of the state of hip hop and a mixtape heralding the art of the feature, with producing throughout to one of hip hop's god producers, 9th Wonder (also left of mainstream).

However, Wale eschewed his progressive approach for "Attention: Deficit," which he claimed at the time would be a parable of the state of today's unfocused rap and disjointed rap albums. (I see this as an excuse to put out an album just like those, but whatever.) In any event, in paralleling the rap album (club song, love song, thug song, etc.) he creates songs that I spin infinitely more than any of these typical songs. Contrary to Pitchfork's decrying of "Attention: Deficit" as an album that gives us no sense of Wale the artist or Wale's true style, I enjoy A:D for being superior at whatever it tries to do.

The one low point, for me: the cut-and-paste Neptunes joint "Let It Loose" featuring Pharrell is NOT good at all. It's not 2003 anymore, but rappers still think that having the Neptunes on is some kind of obligation that needs to be filled for success. It's a total waste.

The two absolute standout tracks (that you MUST listen to if you have any kind of love at all for hip hop) are "Beautiful Bliss" and "TV in the Radio," Wale's pairings with Melanie Fiona & J.Cole and K'naan, respectively. The former is a triumphant song about feeling good about life, featuring a Fiona chorus and a positively standout verse from "next big thing" J.Cole; the latter features esoteric, wild production from the guitarist of hipster band TV on the Radio and awesome verses from Wale. When I'm in my 40s in 2029, and I think back two decades to 2009, these are the songs that I will remember (and probably still be bumping), and "A:D" is an album that I will think about.

When Wale dropped on the 10th, I expected a modest (but not stellar) first week SoundScan - after all, Wale's something of a Twitter icon, and he does have the internet buzz - but when I heard that he shipped 28,000 (albeit due to a label f***up) it was depressing and (like everything else) made me doubt the future of rap. This album is good. It deserves a listen. And, if you're like me, it deserves a purchase.

Till the casket drops.

This is a GREAT hip hop album. Lyrics are just amazing. Only problem I had to buy the album off Amazon b/c no store in Baton Rouge, La had the cd. Best Buy, Target or FYE. Great great album If your a hip hop fan this is a must have

Rounding out the debuts of this year's young up & comers (which included Drake, Kid Cudi, Asher Roth) is WALE the DC sniper. Hailing from Washington D.C. , a place that has never really had a credible MC on a mainstream level comes WALE pronounced Wah-Lay to bust down that barrier in an area where GO-GO music reigns supreme. WALE possesses the lyrical prowess, flow, and personality needed to succeed in the rap game and his debut is one of the freshest and dopest albums of the year

With Wale being somewhat of an underground phenomenon with mixtapes such as Back To The Feature, 100 Miles & Running, and The Mixtape About Nothing in the past few years it's great to see the grind rewarded with a mainstream album.

*****TANGENT******But therein lies the problem. Wale's Attention Deficit was virtually unfindable and nonexistent in stores in Atlanta Georgia. No store that I went to had it. I had to order from Amazon and wait a week to get it. Regardless of who's fault it was the situation is unacceptable. There's an explanation on the world wide web that basically states that the album was undershipped at a mere 30,000 copies like he was Slaughterhouse or just some random rapper with no potential. The ironic thing about that is that first week sales have come in at 28,000. Just think how many more he could have sold when people like myself went out looking for it and couldn't find it. I know I'm on a little rant right now but come on Interscope you can't sabotage this man's career like that. Goofballs screwing up these young rappers releases. Remember Kid Cudi's album had advertised bonus tracks of which none were available as well as being undershipped as well. UNACCEPTABLE!!! *****End of Tangernt******

Wale, like his peers, has definitely delivered and delivered BIG on his debut album Attention Deficit. Wale's rapping style is like a mix between Black Thought of The Roots and Kanye West. Not surprisingly though since the first time I heard Wale was on The Roots Rising Up record with Chrisette Michele last year (or was it two years ago?). Even then it was clear that WALE had some talent. Lyrically, he is an extremely clever rapper dropping gems that will surely go over casual fans heads all througout the album. He has some interesting topics on the album that I'll let the listener discover on their own. The production is top notch with some songs expertly utilizing the traditional go-go sound and some left field collaborations and sample choices. Nonetheless it all blends perfectly into a sound that WALE has carved out as his own.

With so many great songs it's hard to pick out a favorite but if I had to then BEAUTIFUL BLISS featuring some other names that will soon become staples for quality hip hop and R&B music MELANIE FIONA and J.COLE. With a triumphant beat, a great chorus beautifully sung by Fiona, and absolutely SUPERB rapping from both J.COLE and WALE (even though J.Cole breaksthrough) this song is one of the best songs of the year. J.Cole proves yet again (first time was on JayZ's BP3) that he is up next for a great debut album. Contemplate, sporting a fly Rihanna sample of Question Existing from Good Girl Gone Bad, is not far behind Beautiful Bliss in greatness.

Without getting too long-winded,, Wale delivers the goods on his debut album Attention Deficit. With a clever laid back rapping style, vibrant and excellent production, great song concepts and perfect appearances from guests this is not an album that you will soon let collect dust. This is an album that you will keep coming back to over and over. If you ever thought that hip hop wasn't in good hands as far as younger rappers, one only has to check the debuts of Kid Cudi, Drake, and WALE to be reassured and in my opinion Wale is the best rapper out of that bunch. Attention Deficit is undoubtedly one of the best releases of the year and is well worth a purchase (if you can find it in stores! lol) 5 Stars

*Itunes has a bonus track called Center of Attention that's absolutely amazing. Also songs that didn't make the album due most likely to sample clearances definitely deserve to be seeked out. The Letter with an amazing John Mayer chorus, Bittersweet with Colin Munroe, and Fly Away which samples Lenny Kravitz*

I had a slight curiosity about Wale's 'Attention Deficit' album early on but I didn't pay it any attention right away. I was aware of the single; "Chillin" with Lady GaGa but it was just okay. Fast forward a few months later and I listened to the samples here on Amazon of 'Attention Deficit' but I still wasn't convinced. One day a friend of mine was gushing about the album on twitter and that was the conviction I needed to finally get the album. I am glad I did. The album is very good and surprisingly a breath of fresh air for me. I don't get into rap very much but it is nice to finally get into a decent rap album.

The first half of the album is a lot stronger than the second half of the album. I think that's my only complaint about the album. Some of the songs on the second half are a little weak and not as memorable in my opinion. I like the guest appearances here and Wale is not overshadowed in any way; he still remains the star. Good job Wale!

Honorable Mentions:

*World Tour

*Mama Told Me

*Mirrors

*Shades

*Pretty Girls

*Let It Loose

you will love him. if you give him a chance. I been letting people listen to him for about 9 months and they all love him. youngin is gonna be the next big thing.

I can't believe the track "Mirrors" isn't getting more attention. I think it's the best, most original (yet old school), and catchy track on the album. A lot of the other tracks are really well produced and have good lyrics, but they sound so mainstream.. like kanye mixed with jay-z. Keep it original, ride fewer coat tails. :)

"90210" also stands out as really unique sounding, but it never fully delivers... the song keeps building up and building up but there's no payoff. It just stays in a monotone range and never pushes through that. It could have been far more powerful of a track. Still good though, and I'm still going to keep an ear on Wale. 8)

My 2 cents,

A new Wale fan

Hip hop hasn't died, you just have to look harder for good music, and this album is one that any true music fan must have.

The album was really that good. Id give it a 5/5. It really sounded like a polished album for a first effort, and I believe and I'll stand by this statement, this album should be considered somewhat of a classic. it was so under appreciated. His songs dealt with everything and its rare we find a real lyricist who wants to cement himself in hip hop for years, not the one hit wonder. Till this day I still don't understand why this album didn't sale, even with a single he didn't pick with Lady gaga on it! which wasn't bad. Do people not appreciate good music anymore. This should've definitely received album of the year honors but instances like this just show you how politcal something like music can be. I watched the first 48 thing where they chronicle the artist 48 hours leading up to the album dropping. His album was undershipped in his own city?? his own freinds and family couldnt get the album. Whatever the case may be its a great album. you'll love it from top to bottom if you love music and im looking forward to hearing more from Wale.

I heard Wale on a local radio station, so I wanted to hear from him and bought this CD and I love it, he is now one of my favorite rappers/M.C.'s