Style Weekly
Richmond's alternative for news, arts, culture and opinion
After a string of cred-building mix tapes in underground circles and being courted by such big-name players as Epic, Atlantic, Def Jam and Interscope, Washington-based rap artist Wale — pronounced WAH-lay and born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin — finally released his major label full-length, “Attention Deficit,” late last year. Stuffed with an expected variety of producers (Mark Ronson, TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek) and guest vocalists (Pharrell, Lady GaGa), Wale's official debut still finds its way thanks to the lyricist's hyperactive wordplay, quips, boasts and disses, alongside plenty of radio-ready hooks and beats that borrow from funk, go-go and Kanye West pop appeal. Performing with openers Arrested Development, Wale headlines Fridays at Sunset at 6 p.m. $25.
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