The OFFICIAL BabyboiCampbells MUSIC REVIEW: WALE-- "Attention Deficit" (Rating 5/5)

(One of this week's "Featured Artists")

And to think this could've been another album I ignored because of my non-interest in the artist. Olubowale Victor Akintimehin is originally from Washington D.C., where he has made a name for himself after releasing five mixtapes. Several tracks have been released from these mixtapes that went on to garner the attention WALE so rightfully deserves today. It all started with "Dig Dug (Shake It)", a song released off his first mixtape entitled "Paint a Picture". The song went on to become very popular in Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, making WALE the first local artist in D.C. radio history to have the most requested song on play. Later on, songs like "Breakdown", "Good Girls", and "Uptown Roamers" intensified the talent surrounding this individual. ("Breakdown" later became featured on the Madden NFL 2009 video game.) WALE has also collaborated with several artists over the past couple of years, including, Kid Cudi, Solange, Duffy, The Ting Tings, and The Noisettes.

Now WALE is about to release his first studio album entitled "Attention Deficit". One of this week's "featured artists", WALE has joined forces with an incredible list of contributors, including The Neptunes, Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Maroon 5, Adele, etc.), Sylence (John Legend, MJB, Ne-Yo, etc.), Melanie Fiona, Marsha Ambrosius, Rihanna, and many more. His style of music has the classic hip-hop sound that we don't hear enough of today and that right there caught my attention over anything else. Then when you sit down and listen to the words intently, the album takes on a whole different meaning , elevating you to a state of realization and understanding. Songs like "90210" and "Mirrors" (featuring Bun B) really tell a defining story about how people destroy their own selves. "Contemplate", which features the chorus from Rihanna's "Question Existing", is the track that hit me the hardest. Speaking of a relationship on the verge of doom, "Contemplate" is your "walk down memory lane" if you've ever had to deal with someone who you weren't sure was worthy of your time and love.

As I said in the beginning of the review, WALE's debut album is something I almost didn't pay attention to. I highly recommend anyone giving this album a try...if not for the value of the album itself, at least to say you listened to someone who's keeping it real to themselves over most other artists in the industry today.

Songs that I Truly Enjoyed from the Album:
• Triumph
• Mama Told Me
• Pretty Girls featuring Gucci Mane
• World Tour featuring Jazmine Sullivan
• Let It Loose featuring Pharrell
• 90210
• Shades featuring Chrisette Michele
• Chillin' featuring Lady Gaga
• Prescription
• TV In the Radio featuring K'naan

From WALE's new album "Attention Deficit", here's "Mirrors" featuring Bun B...