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“10 Songs Well Worth the Attention” features music courtesy of Charlie Puth, Joji, ScHoolboy Q, Shinedown, and Todrick Hall among others.

No need to drag this introduction out.  This playlist is all about attention, period – “10 Songs Well Worth the Attention” to be exact.  The key word that characterizes this playlist, hence, is attention.  With that said, is there anything that hasn’t been covered regarding the criteria? Didn’t think so! “10 Songs Well Worth the Attention” features music courtesy of Charlie Puth (“Attention”), Joji (“Attention”), ScHoolboy Q (“Attention”), Shinedown (“Attention Attention”), and Todrick Hall (“Attention”) among others.

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1. Todrick Hall, “Attention”

Haus Party 1, Pt. 1 • Todrick Hall • 2019

“Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t – / Do I have your attention? / Fuck it up!” Multifaceted entertainer Todrick Hall commences his 2019 album, Haus Party 1, Pt. 1 with mad attitude and energy – understatement. Honestly, if Hall doesn’t have your attention with this sleekly-produced, feisty AF opener, then you just must completely lack any sense of focus. “Make the whole room spin, spin, spin / Turn the bass up loud, loud,” Hall sings at the end of the first verse, continuing, “We about to go in, in, in / And we can’t stop now, now, now (Fuck it up).”

Besides essentially encouraging the listeners to dance their butts off, Todrick Hall also talks some smack, specifically to his ex-boyfriend.  “I saw my ex lookin’ a mess and pressed upon somebody else,” he states on the second verse, later adding, “…I showed him what he was missing, like” before dropping the attention-filled hook, “Do I have your attention.” Speaking of butts, Hall later toys with his ex-bf more on the third verse: “So I twirled up to those weights / Put theses cakes in his face / I did a squat, my butt said bam / And this new man said, ‘Girl, goddamn.’”  There’s also a fierce bridge to add to the undivided attention that you should be giving Hall from the jump.

2. ScHoolboy Q, “Attention”

CrasH Talk • Interscope • 2019

“Dope in the hood, ain’t movin’ like that, uh / Chain and your watch, I need all that, all that / M’s in the bank, I need all that, all that / Ten freaky girls, nedd all that, all that…” Okay then!  ScHoolboy Q catches our ‘attention’ with one of the best songs from his 2019 studio LP, CrasH Talk.  That’s right, CrasH Talk concludes with “Attention,” which deserves attention with its robust bass line, trunk-rattling kick, and Q rapping about working with various rappers and producers, as well as the hardships of his life.

“Front row at the Grammys, I’m getting praises from Jay [Z]
Fuck about this award, I’m happy he know my name
Favorite rapper Nas been told me that I’m the best
He had a couple sessions with Dre, knew I would win…”

In addition to the aforementioned excerpts from the chorus and the sole verse, ScHoolboy Q delivers one of the most memorable lyrics from the LP:

“Got the devil on my side while the Lord been pushin’ me over
I can finally understand why my uncles was never sober.” 

CrasH Talk is by no means Q’s best album, but “Attention” represents one of the must-hear moments from the album.  Now that’s attention-worthy! “Attention” previously appeared on the playlist 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in April 2019.

3. Charlie Puth, “Attention”

Voicenotes • Artist Partner Group • 2018

“You’ve been runnin’ ‘round, runnin’ ‘round, runnin’ ‘round / Throwin’ that dirt all on my name / ‘Cause I knew that I, knew that I, knew that I’d / Call you up.” Ah, “Attention” marked the first single from Voicenotes that the world was privy to from a new and improved Charlie Puth. After laying an egg with the hella sketchy Nine Track Mind (“Superman got nothing on me,” really Charlie), he ‘ups the ante’ for sure.

Charlie’s falsetto is strong on “Attention” for the most part, save for that vocal crack… His light tone of voice doesn’t suddenly become robust, but he definitely packs more punch.  The production is a major step up, particularly the bass line and infectious, danceable groove. “Attention” was no game-changer, but it did mark the beginnings of a transformation for Puth. It’s flirty without being distasteful, playing to his sensitivity. Among the best lyrical moments occur on the pre-chorus:

“I know that dress is karma, perfume regret
You got me thinking ‘bout when you were mine
And now I’m all up on ya, what you expect?
But you’re not coming home with me tonight.”

Of course, the chorus is pretty sweet in its own right:

“You just want attention, you don’t want my heart
Maybe you just hate the thought of me with someone new
Yeah, you just want attention, I knew from the start
You’re just making sure I’m never gettin’ over you, oh.”

4. Shinedown, “Attention Attention”

Attention Attention • Atlantic • 2018

“Nothin’ ‘bout me is ordinary / My friends all say I’m goin’ crazy / I don’t hear a word that they say / ‘Cause the voices in my head are legendary…” Wow, that’s some attention-worthy shit right there! According to Shinedown frontman Brent Smith, via the track-by-track guide regarding “Attention Attention” from the 2018 album Attention Attention, “‘Attention Attention’ is a warning. It’s like your alter ego jumps into the room all of a sudden and starts messing you with you and pushing you around a little bit.”  He goes on to add that the aforementioned excerpted chorus begins “the psychological part of the song.” Oh boy!

Following a colorful refrain that differentiates from the chorus itself (“Oh no, oh no / They’re just villains in my mind doin’ time…”), The third verse of track four from Attention Attention stands out in particular:

“Attention, attention, ‘cause this ain’t a stunt
The judge is a racist, the jury’s corrupt
The shelves are all empty, but the seats are all filled
If you’re a shiny new penny, I’m a hundred-dollar bill.”

What makes “Attention Attention” worth paying ‘attention’ to is the overall attitude and energy it commands.  The dynamic guitars, minor key, and at times, the chanted, spoken word vocals don’t hurt.

5. Rich Brian, “Attention”

Ft. Offset

Amen • 88rising / EMPIRE • 2018

“Pull a mil’ in a day, ain’t even have the goddamn bill / On your pill, every day I just be sippin’ Chamomile / Mass appeal, everybody show up ‘cause they know I’m here / Every week, I be on the face, she think it’s Cetaphil…” What more can you say but DAY-UM! In the context of his debut album Amen, Rich Brian (formerly Rich Chigga, known for the controversial “Dat $tick”) kills it on “Attention.” Prior to “Attention,” he gave us a decent banger with “Occupied,” but ultimately, “Attention” trumps it by a mile.

Spitting over a malicious, tough, minor-key backdrop, Rich Brian is on autopilot from the start.  The hook, seen above, is nothing short of badass, ranking among the most impressive of Amen. It continues as follows:

“Up in my business, pull up in my bitch crib
I got people locked and loaded like they trained for ISIS
Askin’ for forgiveness, I never said you’ll have it
Pullin’ all these guns, but do you really want attention.”

Of course, Rich Brian also shines on the first verse, talking some sick shit. Adding the cherry on top is a guest appearance by Offset, who is built for a jam like this: “I am a Martian, I am not from this dimension / All of this water drippin’ on my Paddy, like I rinsed it.” You knew Offset couldn’t avoid referencing the Patek, right?

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6. Yellow Claw, “Attention”

Ft. Chace & Kalibwoy

New Blood • Barong Family • 2018

“Where are we now / And where are we going? / You can’t help me now / Youre lies are colliding / All you wanted was attention…” Dutch producer/DJ duo Yellow Claw (Jim Taihuttu and Nils Rondhuis) are known for “bass-heavy productions and riotous performances.” The duo remained busy in 2018, dropping hot single after single. New Blood, their third studio album, finally arrived in all its electronic glory. Which record from New Blood draws our attention? “Attention” of course! Couldn’t you gather that from the above-mentioned lyrics?

In the context of New Blood, “Attention” begins more mysteriously than the biting “Fake Chanel.” Chinese DJ, producer, and singer Chace delivers beautiful vocals, decorated with effects. Initially, “Attention” has the elements of a ballad, but Yellow Claw change that when the dynamic, sleek break section is unveiled. Dutch hip-hop artist Kalibwoy uniquely contrasts Chace with his distinct tone and accent.

7. Joji, “Attention”

BALLADS 1 • 88rising / 12Tone Music • 2018

“Girl, would it kill you just to show a little bit of attention? / If I hurt you, I’m afraid God’s gonna teach me a lesson.” Ok… Rising alt-R&B artist Joji showcased ample potential on his moody, full-length, debut studio album, BALLADS 1. The vibes are real, period.  Furthermore, he grabs the listener’s attention on the song entitled “Attention” – duh, of course he does!

On “Attention,” Joji in his zone.  The tone of the record is one that is depressed, tortured to an extent, while also being reflective.  On the verse, he makes it clear he has “troubles, but nobody will listen,” going on to say, “I know I’m cryptic and I’m weird, that shit comes off as indifferent.” Ultimately, “Attention” is personal, but also quite relatable.

8. PnB Rock, “Attention”

GTTM: Goin Thru the Motions • EMPIRE / Atlantic • 2017

“Soon as I pull up / Yeah, my wrist want attention / Got your bitch in my section / I can feel the tension / … And my wrist on froze / And your bitch, she chose… / Balling hard no question…” Rapper and singer PnB Rock commands plenty of attention with the opener from his 2017 ‘mixtape’, GTTM: Goin Thru the Motions, “Attention.” Amplifying the amount of attention received are a couple of key things including the dark, tough-sounding production (produced by Donut), a catchy, attention-seeking chorus (excerpted above), and a guest appearance courtesy of Wiz Khalifa.

As the chorus suggests, “Attention” is a mighty flex fest.  On the first verse, PnB Rock drips hard, including references to good sex.  “Your bitch she gave me good brain / You can tell she was educated,” he spits, continuing confidently, “I beat the pussy, I never ate it / She can never say ever dated / She can never be my main…” Later, PnB Rock asserts on the bridge:

“Bitches be waiting on me
‘Cause all of these diamonds be skating on me
I take his bitch and I know, that he sad
He can’t do shit but keep hating on me.”

Yeah, yeah, yeah – heard this many times! It’s not shocking to hear Wiz Khalifa rap about smoking on the second verse – “Whole lotta weed getting rolled in a paper plane.”

9. Kevin Gates, “Attention”

By Any Means 2 • Bread Winners’ Association • 2017

“Attention, you are in the presence of a gangsta / Please don’t be alarmed, for the money I’m impatient.” Ah, we reach the penultimate record of this attention-driven playlist, courtesy of southern rapper Kevin Gates – “Thought I heard somebody say they was a bread winner?” No, the excellent “Thought I Heard (Bread Winners’ Anthem)” (Islah, 2016) isn’t eligible for this list, but “Attention,” the sixth track off of Gates’ 2017 mixtape, By Any Means 2 is a perfect fit.

Safe to say, Kevin Gates isn’t playing around in the least on “Attention” – he demands your full, undivided attention, damn it! “Acceptin’ no disrespect, wait, who am I to budge?” he spits on the first verse, continuing, “Quarter million-dollar mouth, who am I? The plug?” Throughout the course of the record, Gates is filled with confidence, cockiness, and cold-bloodedness.  This man knows he’s the shit, and honestly, you shouldn’t mess with him – you’ll regret it.  Besides being tough as nails, he delivers a great flow with his fair share of lyrical punches:

“Run and I observe, ain’t no sense in bein’ audible
Quarterback call the audibles, switch the play on the blitz.”

10.The Weeknd, “Attention”

Starboy • Republic • 2016

According to The Weeknd on “Attention,” “You’re only looking for attention / You only notice it cause I’m never around / … The only problem is you’ll never get enough.” Unsurprisingly, on the Starboy cut, The Weekend dabbles in relationship issues.  That’s kind of where his ‘bread is buttered’ of course.  Lyrically, “Attention” is certainly no tour de force, particularly the utter simplicity of the opening verse: “Baby, you were so strong / Baby you were calm… / Tell me where it went wrong / Tell me how to love, it’s been so long…” There you go.

Moving onto the second verse, The Weeknd goes on to add, “When a touch is not enough / You were more than a fuck / Thinking twice, I’m the one / But you just need to trust.”  Fair enough… I guess. In the context of Starboy, the cut slackens the pace, dampening the high-strung energy on the verses. By the chorus – excerpted in the first paragraph of the blurb – Abel Tesfaye’s commanding, high-pitched tenor sounds ripe as ever.

“10 Songs Well Worth the Attention” [Photo Credits: 12 Tone Music, 88rising, Artist Partner Group, Atlantic, Barong Family, Bread Winners’ Association, EMPIRE, Interscope, Pexels, Pixabay, Republic, Todrick Hall]

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