Rating: Red HotDon't ask me how I know this, but Lupe Fiasco's sophomore album, 'The Cool', is killer, meeting my 'sky's the limit' expectations following his brilliant debut, 'Food And Liquor'. Not content producing a bog-standard rap album, Lupe has tread into dangerous territory by recording a concept album (yes, a rap concept album!). Thankfully, he emerges untouched on the other side, and even with a few more strings to his bow. Not only does Lupe outclass his peers on their ground- in terms of beats- he repeatedly demonstrates that he possesses a keen eye for a good rhyme, producing unbelievably brilliant metaphors from his bag of tricks. We, the fans, can only hope that Lupe receives the credit he deserves second time around, and finally becomes recognized as the modern savior of hip hop/rap.
When rap started off, the focus lay on the lyrics, and yet over the years personality has been slowly sucked out of this genre, and what we are left with is a group of bland,(mostly) untalented people who drop "rhymes" about their money, girls and cars. Thankfully, these are exactly the things Lupe attacks on 'Dumb It Down', establishing himself as a variation on this theme. This album is a breath of fresh air in a genre dominated by glamour and money, both of which Lupe is privy to, despite not having sold his soul by producing identikit rap. This album is almost a statement of war: both against the majority of other artists in this genre and bootleggers. If I remember correctly, 'Food And Liquor' leaked a full 6 months before it was released in September 2006. Second time around, Lupe has been more careful, but he still hasn't completely stamped out leaks; tracks from 'The Cool' have been around for a couple of months now.
Lupe album's are different in that they challenge you, just as music should. And that's just what is missing in rap nowadays. Out of the current rappers, most of the ones I rate have been around for a while: Nas, Common, Wu-Tang Clan and Talib Kweli, who focus on the lyrical content of a song, and let the beats come as a bonus. It doesn't take a genius to work out what Fiddy is talking about when he says:
"She know's just how to move to seduce you
She gone do the right thing and touch the right spot
Dance in you're lap till you're ready to pop"
A world away from this, on the other hand, lies Lupe, who crafts songs that unfold after each listening. Every time I hear the album I decipher a new rhyme, and there are many that I still don't understand... 'The Cool' is chock full of pop culture and rap references, almost like a puzzle that is waiting to be solved. It actually hurts to think about how he comes up with some of the stuff on this album, and after two intelligently executed albums there can be no doubting that Fiasco is a pretty smart guy.
In his sophomore effort, Lupe adopts a darker tone than 'Food And Liquor", and Fiasco has obviously vented his emotions over a tough few months directly into this album:
Complex Magazine- "So would you say that this album is darker than your first?"
Lupe Fiasco- "Oh yeah, it's much darker just on the strength of the situation that I'm in, in life right now is kind of a happy period. It's a lot of success but it came with a lot of sacrifice and having my pops pass away and just recently having an aunty pass away and then having a friend pass away, Stack Bundles, a rapper in New York who got murdered out here and then to also have my partner get locked up, to get 44 years, all that stuff came along with the situation. It made the setting for me a more darker because I'm a little bit sad."
'The Cool' gets of to a relatively slow start with 'Baba Says Cool For Thought'. We are welcomed to Lupe's world by the familiar voice of Iesha Jaco, who replicates the 'Intro' on 'Food And Liquor', a cool theme which Lupe has stuck with, finishing with impact:
"Freeze- cause the problem is we think its cool too.
Check your ingredients, before you overdose on The Cool."
'Free Chilly (ft. Sarah Green & Gemstones)' doesn't have a lot of good things to its name: at this point I found myself waiting for the album to kick off, and we are deprived of Lupe for this one minute song. I'm not quite sure I understand the point of an interlude before the album has started. But hey, its got some great soulful singing by Sarah Green and Gemstones... unfortunately, they aren't who I paid to hear.
'Go Go Gadget Flow', despite possessing a popular sample (from Go Go Gadget) and a repetitive hook, kicks off the album on Lupe's terms. He switches up the flow: I'd never heard him rap this fast, and its a refreshing change. The beat is solid, Lupe is on point, and whilst its not the intro I was expecting, this song still kills most of competition. Lupe's rhymes are ridiculous, and he almost out-Twista's Twista...
After track three, things start to get interesting, and you are hit by a barrage of truly brilliant songs.
'The Coolest' is where the concept comes into the equation. Lupe fans will remember 'The Cool' off 'Food And Liquor', which told the story of The Game, The Cool and The Streets. This is a direct continuation of that story, with parts of the dark tale coming to a close over this album (
see here for a full explanation). I absolutely love this song (42 plays on iTunes and counting): my fave rap/hip hop song of the year.
'Superstar (ft. Matthew Santos)'- We've all heard this one by now, and its really growing on me. Relative unknown Matthew Santos should replace Chris Martin as rap's male vocal go-to-guy (after the horrendous 'Beach Chair' with Jay-Z and the passable 'Homecoming' with Kanye). Boldly, Lupe has obviously chosen him to sing all male vocals on this album, which is a good move IMO. The combination works well...
'Paris/Tokyo' is textbook Lupe, with a catchy beat, brilliant chorus, great flow on Lupe's part and solid production by Soundtrakk. This is a potential second single, which I could see doing well on the charts due to its crossover potential. Ace.
'Hi-Definition (ft. Snoop Dogg & Pooh Bear)'- I've heard a lot about this one, but I really wasn't blown away by it. There is almost too much packed into 4 minutes: Lupe, Snoop Dogg, Pooh Bear, samples from Common, synths and heavy beats. Snoop Dogg slots in an amazing verse, but there's something grating about the overall sound of this song. And as good as Snoop is, Lupe still walks all over him. A possible mis-step, but disaster is averted through the sheer awesomeness of Lupe and Snoop's rhymes.
'Gold Watch'- Dominated by a sample which threatens to drown out everything. Has enough bass and instrumental to save the day once again. The subject matter is sensitive, concerning the effect of fame. A little less volume on the sample, and this would have been brilliant- how could something so easily altered get past post-production? This and Hi-Definition are the two weakest tracks on 'The Cool'- from here on it's plain sailing.
'Hip Hop Saved My Life (ft. Nikki Jean)'- The story of Michael Young History, a rapper from Houston, Texas. A strong vocal contribution by Nikki Jean (a Fergie sound-a-like) and the most commendable piano instrumental (it turns up quite a lot on 'The Cool'). Lupe is dependable as ever, telling Michael Young History's (=My Cool Young History) story:
"Reps north side so he rocks them braids,
1100 friends on his MySpace page,
stack that cheese got 700 plays,
producer made him take it down, said he had to pay"
'Intruder Alert (ft. Sarah Green)'- A really ominous song about the outcasts of society, and those with some serious issues. Someone give Sarah Green a solo album already.
'Streets On Fire'- I can't do this one justice: you have got to listen to it to understand how Lupe owns this song. Get over to MTV now to listen!
'Little Weapon (ft. Nikki Jean)'- Produced by Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump, this was a very pleasant surprise. To start with, a slow-mo voice over, with some gothic chanting, had me worried that Stump had gone all emo on Lupe. What comes next, then, completely blew me away. The beat on this track is unbelievably new and unfamiliar, with a catchy snare and vocal hook. The originality of this rock-influenced track is a blessing, and its one of my favourite tracks on 'The Cool'.
'Gotta Eat'- A song from the perspective of a cheeseburger. Again, intriguingly fresh, this song works due to its creativity, a general theme on 'The Cool'.
'Dumb It Down'- This song is the most complete display of Lupe's lyrical abilities thus far. He absolutely trashes it:
"'I'm flying on Pegasus you're flying on the pheasant
Writer of the white powder
Picker of the fire flowers
Spit hot fire like Dylon on Chapelle's skit"
Check out a more
complete review of this song here'Hello/Goodbye (Uncool)'- Another rock-rap song, produced by UNKLE, who does a great job with the instrumental. This is a really gritty song, and is one of the darker on this album. A tune in the mold of 'Little Weapon'.
'The Die'- Gemstones really compliments this track with his Twista-esque rapping. A continuation of the story, with a little interlude ending. Listen carefully to the radio, and you will hear 'The Cool' from Food And Liquor' playing in the background. The song ends with gunshots. On a Lupe record? Thats a new one, but its a concept album after all, and from here on the album tends towards the darker end of the musical spectrum.
'Put You On Game'- Sinister is the name, a classic track is the game. Lupe invades 90's rap tradition on this song, harking back to the old Wu Tang albums, and emulating their grimy sound. Its a valiant effort, and he pulls off the new (or should I say old?) sound.
'Fighters (ft. Matthew Santos)'- The end is in sight, and things begin to slow down, aided by Santos' melancholy vocals (which just get better and better, by the way). Lupe reveals a devoted fan's blog address at the end of the song: check it out-
http://www.lupethefiasco.blogspot.com/'Go Baby'- A bit cheesy, but a jubilant ending it most definitely is. Lupe signs off with a cheer, and we are left astounded by the greatness of this album. Hip Hop/Rap album of the year, hands down (pipping 'American Gangster' to the post).
There are two occasions when the brilliance of this album is almost shattered: 'Hi-Definition' and 'Gold Watch'. Catastrophe is averted, however, and this is mainly down to Lupe himself. Convincingly pulling of a concept album is unbelievably difficult, but Lupe has succeeded in this endeavor and rewarded with a brilliantly fresh rap album, with some unassuming rap songs and interesting stories to boot.
You can listen to
'The Cool' in full here: what do you think? A good follow up? Or has Lupe dropped the ball second time around? Oh yeah- don't let history repeat itself... buy this record when it comes out and support Lupe. Get him on top of the Billboard chart. No tracks, as I don't want to spoil Lupe's chances this time around. Here's an old gem though, to keep you ticking over until you buy 'The Cool'.
Lupe Fiasco- Cold BloodedLupe Fiasco is a talent to watch- at the age of 25 he already possesses far more lyrical prowess than most of the other members of this genre. He is unique, bucking the trend at each and every turn. On 'The Cool', he really has something to say, and delivers on the promise of 'Food And Liquor'. It's a shame that he's retiring after his next album, LupEND; hopefully he'll pull a Jay-Z on us. This album is a masterclass in lyrical skills, and Lupe's peers could do worse than take a leaf out of his book, and write about something meaningful. Somehow, coming this late in the year, 'The Cool' has already found its way into my top 10, even before its release. There is an unprecedented amount of variety on this album, and everyone is bound to find many things that they like. 'The Cool' is a masterpiece, and I hope you all buy it when it hits on the 18th.
Nas made the claim that 'Hip Hop Is Dead'. Well, it may have been, but Lupe has most definitely brought it back to life.
.
The new year is upon us, and 'BOOM', I get hit by a brilliant song. I'm really late on this one, but Ida Maria's 'Oh My God' is that awesome. I must credit my Dad with this one; he pointed it out to me a couple of weeks ago, but in my general (teenage) mood I swatted him away. Coming out of nowhere (or a minute village in Norway), there is something crazy about her, and her music- in a good way. On 'Oh My God', she's bold with her (repeated) lyrics, a heavy guitar riff and even some shrieking at the climax. A solid song, and I can't wait for the album, out next year.
Rating: 'That't Hot!' 
Rating: Red hot core, with some cold inconsistencies
