Album Review: Wale's Attention Deficit

In a year that brought about the emergence of a large freshman class in the hip hop industry, the genre's true fans have been given what many are calling a "breathe of fresh air." Hip hop's new comers have brought a new energy and "swag" to the game that makes even Nas rethink his statments on the livelihood of the art form. While the clear favorite for "Rookie of the Year" is the multitalented sensation, Drake, a strong candidate for runner up is a young D.C. native by the name of Wale. Although his popularity in the mainstream is still a work in progress, Wale's mixtape and underground notoriety is more than legit. With 3 strong mixtape projects in the past 3 years, those who've followed the young rapper knew what to expect from his debut album Attention Deficit.

Attention Deficit dropped this past November after Wale decided to push back the album's release date to go on tour with Jay-Z. With features including fellow rappers Bun-B, Gucci Mane, J-Cole, and K'naan and R & B vocals from Jazmine Sullivan, Chrisette Michelle, Marsha Ambrosius (Floetry), and Melanie Fiona, Attention Deficit gives listeners a wide variety of musical style. Pop star Lady Gaga even holds down the chorus for the album's first single "Chillin."

The LP's introduction opens up with a strong assortment of horns over a hard beat that Wale holds his own on. It's a solid intro to the album both lyrically and with his delivery. The production duo, Best Kept Secret who have produced many of Wale's hottest mixtape tracks give Wale four tracks on the collection including the CDs 2nd single "Pretty Girls." Because of their unique "Go-go" sound, B.K.S. are the perfect compliment to Wale's D.C. vernacular and style, allowing him to maintain his geographical roots. British producer and Wale's boss at Allido Records, Mark Ronson, as well the duo of Cool and Dre each have two songs on the record while the Neptunes bless him with one.

The lyrical content of Attention Deficit is above par in nearly every way possible. Songs like "Shades" "90210" and "Contemplate" tackle serious issues while maintaining strong word play and raw lyrics. Lighter songs like "Chillin" and "Pretty Girls" help balance the mood of the album while songs like "Mirrors" "TV in the Radio" and "Prescription" show a side of Wale that is confident in who he is and what he represents.

For fans of lyrics and quality music, Wale's Attention Deficit should be that breathe of fresh air that many have been talking about. His lyrical content is reminiscent of Lupe Fiasco in the sense that a lot of what he says goes over the heads of most, but if you appreciate wordplay that makes you rewind a couple times and think, you'll love this album. Some of Wale's critics don't like him for various reasons but if you can get over the fact that he talks a little different and has a unique style, you should be able to appreciate the young man's talent. Wale won't be at the top of the charts, and he won't sell a million records nor will he be as popular as some other rappers out there, but if he continues to stay as true to himself as he has with his debut, he'll have a long successful career.

Artists Who Have Fallen Off

There are a lot of celebrities and musicians who have fallen off in the past couple of years... no no no, I dont mean that they're no longer successful (though with some of them that is indeed the case as well). What I'm referring to is all of the classic occurances in which an artist did their best to maintain balance on stage while performing but end up spilling it. If it were still autumn I'd so have a corny joke about "Fall" but.. ok you get the point. So, who has had the worst fall thus far??? Judge for yourself.. I know who I'm voting for.. lol

Random Thought...: Reebok Easytone Sneakers

So um.. I saw this commercial for these new Reebok Easytone sneakers for women and the shoes are supposed to make a woman's "legs and butt look better." As a man, I appreciate the intent of the shoe's concept but uh.. the chick in the commercial got no ass... just saying..

This Fool....

When I heard about Sammy Sosa changing his skin complextion, I expected to see him a shade or two lighter but this right here is simply ridiculous. I'm sure Sammy was a little upset about all of the steroid allegations and such but when his friends told him to lighten up, I doubt this is what they meant.. If you want to totally tarnish your chances at the hall of fame due to bizzar press then job well done Mr. Sosa. Who knows, all you steroid shooting guys may get mercy one day and get a chance to be inducted but I'm not too sure if you get this sort of press that you're chances are increased whatsoever.. You look ridiculous! Anyway, I don't want to talk about this too much but I'm sure someone somewhere will say "Marce, how can you be so hard on Sammy Sosa while Michael Jackson is your favorite entertainer ever?" and to that person I say this: shut up! its not the same... that is all. Later folks..

Will's Wonderful Words of Wisdom (very inspirational)

New York vs. Philly.. the rivalry heats up

First, allow me to say this: The following article is as unbias as I could possibly could make it. I was born in Brooklyn NY, lived in Philly for 4 years but am still stuck in the middle as I live in New Jersey.. a state that barely has an identity of its own and is torn in half by alliances to New York in the north and Philadelphia in the south. But all that is what makes the New York Philadelphia rivalry so fun in my eyes.

Anyway.. Unless you've been under a rock, a loser who doesnt pay attention to any form of media in the world, or a less fortunate person who doesn't have access to any of that (my bad if thats you), everyone has heard about or talked about the sports match-ups between New York and Philadelphia this past weekend. Saturday, the Knicks and the Sixers faced off in New York then that evening the Phillies and Yankees played game 3 of the World Series in Philly. Sunday the Eagles and the Giants played in Philly then game 4 between the Phils and Yanks concluded what I believe to be the 1st time in history that something like this has happened with 3 sports in one weekend (not 100% sure though). Ok, so in case you didn't see the results, the Sixers beat the Knicks in overtime, the Eagles blew out the Giants embarrassing the former superbowl champs, and the Phillies lost both games to the Yankees and went down 3-1 in the series.. so, who has the edge???

In terms of the weekends' match-ups its a tie (unless taking into account the importance of 2 World Series wins for the Yankees). With that said, I feel as though in order to figure out a true winner, we must go outside of the sports world and have a sudden death overtime type thang.. I guess.. First, Beanie Sigel, one of Philly's most popular rappers has conveniently come out with a diss record about Jay-Z, the this past week as well. The record is ok, nothing special, just a long venting session about some anger that Beanie has apparently held in about his former friend and boss. Jay, being the king of rap, needs not to answer back to the attack because he's just too big, too rich, too popular. Since he probably won't respond, the only thing to compare is the fact that Jay has the most popular rap song in the country right now "Empire State of Mind." I have heard that song about 5 times a day for the past week, on the radio, during the Yankees games, in random cars driving by, just everywhere. With that said, Jay is making money and is on top of the game so Beanie Sigel along with Philadelphia lose that round, sorry.

After that, we can compare NY pizza to Philly cheesesteak.. thats a tough one but the cheesesteak when done well is in a league of its own. NY 3, Philly 3.. Ok um.. how about this, Will Smith vs LL Cool J.. the battle of the two rap legends turn actors. Will wins in the acting category and Mr. Cool James wins in the rap.. geez its still tied!

If we take into consideration the people, New York gets a point because Philly is filled with a-holes, not that NY isn't but percentage-wise Philly has a bit more jerk in their water.. and I dont mean Caribbean sauce nor a corny juvenille dance.. New York drivers are terrible so I gotta take a point away for that..

I guess the only way to settle this whole rivalry is through sports.. in this case the World Series which is not looking good for Philly.. but as a Phillies fan, I know they wont go down without a fight so game 5 will be won by them taking the series to NY.. then I dont know.. until then.... I'll holla!!

So

We Gonna Hunt Chris Brown Tonight