25 Magazine’s India Banks gives Wale’s debut album Attention Deficit, a first listen.

Words by India Banks

D.C. native and rapper, Wale has officiated the DMV’s recognition as a growing niche in the hip hop world, with his debut album Attention Deficit. On his road from underground rapper to an internationally known artist, Wale built his mound through his past three mixtapes: Seinfield, A Mixtape About Nothing, and his recent June release, Back to the Feature. With these mixtapes being his main outputs and his album release date being pushed back from October 20th to November 11th, hip-hop lovers have anxiously craved his debut. Yet the wait was well worth it. Wale manages to fill the vacant spot for the DMV on the international hip-hop scene with his first two singles “Chillin” and “Pretty Girls,” which both carry the essence of D.C. go-go music. Instead of Wale selfishly professing his lyrical skills on Attention Deficit, he spits about real life issues from insecure females on the track, “Diary,” to blacks facing colorism on the Chrisette Michele vocal driven track, “Shades.” This album allows this altruistic artist to demand respect not only for the DMV, but additionally as a successful newcomer.

1. “Triumph” – Wale starts off strong with this jazzy tune complimented with big horns. He shouts out Lily Allen and Kanye West for helping him rise. Wale shows he means business as he opens with the line “I aint tryna be politically correct, but I won’t rest til I’m given my respect.”

2. “Mama Told Me” – This track instantly grabs your attention with the heavy bass. Wale spits about how difficult it is to make it to the top. He shouts out some people that have helped him make it this far.

3. “Mirrors” – Wale teams with Bun B to express how most artists are fake and can’t face themselves in the mirror. He lyrically challenges his haters to fight to see who’s the realest. The gothic guitars and heavy drums add to the intense mood of this track.

4. “Pretty Girls” – Wale attracts his female and DMV fan base with his hit single, that features Back Yard Band’s signature go-go beat. He teams with southern rapper Gucci Mane and demands the ‘Pretty girls’ to clap and the ‘ugly girls’ to be quiet.

5. “World Tour” – This track reveals Wale’s progress from being a dropout to traveling the world to perform for his fans. From New York to London, he’s gonna take us ‘all around the globe.’ Jazmine Sullivan’s powerful add libs add more momentum to this track.

6. “Let It Loose” – This track offers the typical ‘girls just wanna have fun’ theme as Wale and Pharrel describe the party girls who are ready to release their wild side and down for those one night stands.

7. “90210″ – Wale raps over this Nintendoish beat filled with electronic pulses as he describes the stereotypical L.A. girl, who has high dreams of becoming a celebrity. “She throws up whatever she eat/she leaves the bathroom with a nose bleed/regular girl, celebrity dreams/ she is 90210.”

8. “Shades” – Wale collabs with Chrisette Michele and deeply hits another topic that exists within him, but that is rarely made public. He professes that when he was younger; he was timid because of his darker skin and encourages blacks to not be ashamed of the shade of their skin. “I never fit in with them light skins/I felt the lighter they was, the better that they life is.”

9. “Chillin” – Wale puts the DMV area on the map and professes his cockiness in this first hit single. This track poses as his introduction to the industry. Lady Gaga’s sweet, catchy hook will have listeners chanting nonstop.

10. “TV in the Radio” – The rocking beat, electric guitar, classic horns, and K’naan’s unique voice gives this track a captivating sound. Wale gets hype about his style and individuality.

11. “Contemplate” – This track samples the hook from Rhianna’s “Question Existing,” which compliments the dark lyrics of Wale questioning his place in hip hop.

12. “Diary” – Wale unites with Marsha Ambrosius to present a black girl having difficulties holding her own. He opens his diary to help heal her pain and regain her independence.

13. “Beautiful Bliss” – Melanie Fiona opens this track with her soothing voice claiming, “It’s a beautiful day.” The horns and extensive piano contributes to the positive mood as Wale encourages listeners to focus on the prize at the end of the day.

14. “Prescription” – The D.C. native successfully sums up his album with a smooth beat of the congos, flutes, and soft piano keys. Wale proudly states that he is the new face of hip hop and his “lang. will provide as a pain killer.”

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