Wale - Beautiful Bliss (feat. Melanie Fiona & J. Cole) [Prod. DJ Green Lantern & Mark Ronson]

Due to a pretty busy weekend, I’m a bit late to the Attention Deficit leakage par-tay (Wale’s first full-length LP dripped onto the internets late last Friday evening) so only now am I getting a chance to sit down and digitally spin it. And despite the wackness of the lead single (Chillin feat. GaGa GooGoo, which has some decent production but the Lady vocals absolutely ruin the track for me), I’m pleased that Wale is getting some decent mainstream exposure from it (which of course, was by design). Thankfully, it’s the worst track on the album by far (but what else did you expect from a radio grab track?). And hopefully all these kids DLing, uploading and playing Chillin will actually check out the rest of the LP as well as Wale’s superb mixtapes for some dope hip hop ish, in particular Back To The Feature and, my fave of the bunch, Voice of the City (the latter of which featured Wale waxing poetic over beats by Best Kept Secret, 9th Wonder, The Roots, Kanye and J Dilla).

I for one wish to support this young cat and hope that he blows up something fierce, primarily because he’s got rhyming talent, collaborates with some of the dopest producers and most importantly is respectful and knowledgeable of the hip hop masters that laid out the road before him. So I’ll mos def cop the AD schee-dee on the 10th (a week from now). And although he’s been lumped into the MTV hipster rapper category, Wale is in fact a decent lyricist first and foremost who IMO is FAR superior to other artists in the aforementioned hipster-hop genre (namely Kid Cudi, Big Sean and Drake). As a result, his subtle but clever wordplay will take a few listens to fully process. And although Wale’s subject matter is not incredibly deep or thought provoking, his best lyrical bars are rather charming and amusing while his cadence and flow are consistent and distinct (all good signs). Plus, he seems to have a good ear for beats (so far).

I was hoping for the LP to have more DC Go Go (and less GaGa ;) style production from the sick and truly Best Kept Secret producer duo. But I can’t be mad at the varied lineup Wale ended up going with: 9th Wonder, Best Kept Secret, Mark Ronson, Cool & Dre and The Neptunes, just to name a few. It will take a few more listens (as well as a focused headphone session) to really absorb this joint. But my first impressions are definitely good ones for the most part. And Beautiful Bliss just might be my favourite of the bunch so far, where Wale puts on his most impressive lyrical performance of the album IMO (edit: And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that J. Cole kills it with the middle verse). So if you’re feeling this joint, then pick up Attention Deficit on the 10th and support good music.

Back in the Go Go…

Wale - Inhibitions (Let It Loose) [feat. Pharrell]

Neptunian production in full muthaphukin eff-izz-ect! From the forthcoming Wale LP Attention Deficit.

I’m not really feeling any of the so-called hipster rappers of the current generation. But Wale so far seems to be the exception to the rule (especially when he’s on his hip hop sh!t). The kid can actually rhyme well and he puts some style into it. That and he f*cks with The Roots, The Neptunes and 9th Wonder. Much respek. Am looking forward to the album.

Edit: Upon numerous listens, I am really digging this track. Wale is charming as usual and sounds fantastic while effortlessly flowing over a Neps beat. As for the beat: the electronic noises and synths are all there, but the chill tempo and grimey, rumbling bass sounds more like a dirty HHNF-era Clipse beat which is a great thing; hungry and totally ill with a futuristic edge to it. As a bonus, Pharrell actually sings pretty good here (surprisingly) in his trademark falsetto voice and the hook is equal parts catchy, stylish and hilarious (with the chuckling and the double entendres and what not). I admit I was rather excited when I heard awhile back that Wale was working with The Neptunes on a joint on his new LP. And the hype has certainly been met with this track. I love it. So press play and let it loose!