Posted: Wednesday – November 25, 2009

[rating=6]

After Wale’s release of A Mixtape About Nothing hit the streets, D.C had given the hip hop game notice about the next big thing in the genre. Now with his commercial release of Attention: Deficit, the world will feel the impact of his lyrical philosophies and creative flow.

Attention: Deficit is a cohesive collection of songs that deal with topics of perseverance, eye candy and black-on-black racism, somewhat similar to the ideologies of The Native Tongues. Unlike the aforementioned, Wale’s experiences seem to linger longer with witty one liners and being the outspoken elephant in the room.

On the track Shades, Wale alongside Chrisette Michelle, deals with the perception that light skinned negroes are favored more than darker ones, stating: ‘Blacker the berry sweeter the product/ Well I’m fruit juice concentrate and they water’ and deciphering the pimp game of Ice-T’s magic.

90210 discusses the grim reality of Hollywood and the tale of a young lady’s sacrifice to become the faux reality portrayed on television. Waitress dreaming of Rodeo treasure, craving food when a toilet’s near and big boobs that pay the rent are highlighted throughout this Beverly Hills zip code.

Heavily string-esque produced and Barbados bred infused Rihanna make audiences Contemplate about their own relationships at hand. Wale deals with ignored calls at 4 am and showering gifts to result in a woman who just wants to go. Rihanna’s haunting moans and whining draw attention to how Wale’s rhymes are a poignant reminder to bad relationships.

Attention: Deficit is a top contender for one of the best rap albums of 2009. It’s packaging of great production that not only highlights Wale but stand alone is still something good to listen to. Wale moving up in the ranks through mixtapes and getting high praise in the media indicates that he’s more than just a face in the crowd of a concrete jungle.

– By Jeremy Carmona