Former DX Next artist [click to read] Wale has done considerably well for himself as of late. Currently on a promo tour for his Interscope debut Attention: Deficit, the 2008 Rookie of the Year [click to read] sat down with HipHopDX to talk about his LRG-sponsored mixtape Back To the Feature, as well as work on the album.
With over a dozen artists tapped for Back To The Feature, Wale explained that he wanted to show a more positive side that the Hip Hop realm seems to lack right now. “There’s a lot of egos in Hip Hop, and I just wanted to do something different. These are all artists that I admire, and I personally reached out to them. I appreciate what they do, and some are super underground, some are mainstream, but they’re all people I admire. I just wanted to show that collaborative Hip Hop can and should exist.”
With that said, the DC rapper stated the completion of the mixtape has not been as easy as one may think. “It’s really difficult, and I hope my fans can understand that it’s difficult to try to get it all done. ‘Back to the Feature’ was conceptualized two years ago, and I didn’t have a deal then. I didn’t know the concept of going on a promo tour. I’ve had a pretty good run on having decent mixtapes, but my album is currently what I’m giving my all to, and this tour has been all about supporting the album.”
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Gauging the completion of Back To the Feature at about 80%, Wale is confident fans will see and hear it soon. “‘Back to the Feature’ is something I started and nearly finished and then I had to get on the road. This mixtape is gonna come. I just need two or three days that’s not full of interviews or shows, and I’ll be able to put it together.”
Turning to his debut album, Attention: Deficit, Wale released his first single, “Chillin” featuring Lady Gaga [click to listen], and plans to shoot that music video over this weekend in Boston and DC.
With production from the likes of J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, 9th Wonder, Green Lantern, and Best Kept Secret, Wale said listening to Attention: Deficit is going to be an experience to remember. “When you hear it, it’s gonna make you sweat a little bit, cause something special is happening.”
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Check out Wale on his remaining shows for the Attention Deficit Tour, along with a special performance in New York on May 7 that includes UCB, Tanya Morgan, Colin Munroe, and other guests.
