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
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.
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.
