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Three years and five mixtapes into his career,
Wale's debut album,
Attention Deficit isn't offered as an introduction to Olubowale 'Wale' Folarin – instead, it seems to be announcing that he's always been here and you've only just caught up.
Named one of XXL Magazine's Hip Hop Freshmen of '09, Wale's over-confidence in his position as a leader in contemporary Hip Hop's new movement isn't baseless. “I asked Mr West for a little bit of help...” Wale raps on the energetic opening track, “Triumph”. Of course,
Kanye West isn't the only musical powerhouse behind Wale; he is in company with
Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams and label-boss
Mark Ronson. However, on “Triumph” and closing cut “Prescription,” Wale seeks respect from his audience based off of his own merit.
Souls of Mischief are back with an incandescent bluster. Montezuma's Revenge, released on Hiero and produced by sizzling mighty Prince Paul (De La Soul, Stetsasonic, Tha Gravediggas) – with cover art work by artist Steven Lopez - is shaking Hip Hop continents, from Oakland to Africa and back again.
Nine years on from their last album (Trilogy) the brazen mark of their attainment is clear: phenomenal lyrical delivery, breath-taking syncopated confidence, wonder-working rhythms and commanding Hip Hop story telling presence.
