Lupe Fiasco’s recent announcement that his new album The Cool marks the beginning of his retirement has been met with equal parts skepticism and shock. Turns out The Cool is the second album in a trilogy, starting with the breakout Food and Liquor and ending with the upcoming LupEnd. Once Lupe releases LupEnd he’s done with hip-hop, even if hip-hop’s not done with him.
Drop three albums and retire, apparently that’s been the Chicago MC’s plan from the beginning. Whether or not his departure actually happens, the mere threat gives The Cool an increased air of rarity and significance. Lupe’s alternately been embraced as the savior of hip-hop or dismissed as a self-involved intellectual, but regardless of where you fall on the Fiasco love/hate spectrum, you have to appreciate a man with the integrity to stick by a self-imposed retirment deadline. Think about it; if the world would only hear three things from you, what would you say?
Lupe’s always had a message, but what separates him from mere preachers is his ability to weave his philosophy into story. The Cool features a rotating cast of characters that personify elements of urban life, with Lupe adopting different flows and production styles for each. Streets On Fire soars against a softly driving beat and intimate vocals from longtime collaborator Matthew Santos, the perfect stage for Lupe to spin the story of the goddess The Streets, an urban siren who lures people to walk her blocks in search of money and fame. Some rappers wouldn’t know a metaphor if it drank their Patron, metaphorically speaking, but Lupe’s an absolute master: “No pill, can heal, the ill of this, sickness, some are still in doubt of its existence.” The Cool is full of lines likes these, you may want to get out some pen and paper. Put You On Game continues the theatrics with the introduction of The Game (not to be confused with the Game), a skeleton with dice for eyes that’s the embodiment of the lust for money and power. It’s eerie to hear the usually nerdy MC inject his vocals with a sense of menace and dread, particularly when he’s putting together rhymes like, “tell ‘em that you played my game, I hope your bullet holes become mouths that say my name.” Lupe’s calling card was always his lyricism, but tracks like these prove he’s more than a dope rapper – he’s an incredible artist. Period.
On the flip side Lupe’s insistence on conceptual density has caused many hip-hop heads to avert their ears. Lupe’s heard the criticism too, apparently he doesn’t give a f***. Dumb It Down hovers over a stripped down electronic beat while Lupe takes a few minutes to respond to the critics, from the record executives only interested in record sales to video directors trying to get him to “pour champagne on a b****.” The pencil-slim rapper ends the track with a defiant, “I flatly refused, I ain’t dumbed down nothing,” after all it’s hard to bribe a man who’s genuinely not interested in material wealth. If Dumb It Down is Lupe’s refusal of fame, than Superstar is the reason why. Superstar’s piano melody and melancholy chorus has a decidedly English rock sound, setting the scene for Lupe’s introspective rhymes about the price of fame: “I wanna believe my own hype, but it’s too untrue.” It’s the same struggle for sanity in the face of the cult of celebrity that Kanye’s been having for five years now, only Lupe hasn’t flipped out at any awards shows…yet.
With all this talk of philosophy and sociology it’s easy to overlook the heart of The Cool, a profound desire to simply experiment. Go Go Gadget Flow has Lupe spitting his quickest Twista-style rhymes with surprising efficiency, the Neptunes produced Paris, Tokyo is a sweetly romantic track with a decided mid-90’s influence, and Lupe enlists rocker Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park fame for a darkly explosive Hello Goodbye. All that variation makes The Cool the most expansive hip-hop album of the year, and Lupe’s ability to sound at home on each track is the true sign of his talent, but that also means the album takes some work to fully enjoy. There’s a legitimate discussion to be had about Lupe’s refusal to cater to the masses, and the corresponding charges of elitism, but don’t let that stop you from at least giving Lupe Fiasco your ear for an hour. He may not be around for much longer.
YES! I've been waiting for this review since I heard the album a couple of weeks ago. This is the ALBUM OF 2007, possibly the album of the past 3 or 4 years. Lupe needs to be getting more props after this drops as one of the most talented in the game because he doesn't talk about the basic cars, women, money, drugs, and violence. This is what separates him, Kanye, and Common from everyone else. Once again, album of the year, instant classic, and a great way to set the tone for everyone else in 2008.
The more I listen to this album the more I love it.
What do you think of the track Fighters? It really gets to me, I am not sure why. It may be my favorite track on the album.
Too bad this is his second to last album.
Lupe is on a higher level than the rest of the industry. I am completly bias, but he shares this playing field with Kanye and Common... and we all know where all three MCs hail from. Top 3 album of the year. One of the best reviews I have read.
Yeah. It sucks he's going to retire after his third album. He's finishing at that because it's some islamic number of importance. Now I'm ashamed for not even knowing that about my own culture. >_
This whole album is just too big to put into words. I'm really feeling Little Weapon but the rest of the album is not far behind. I wish more and more people would understand how great he has become.
Nathan, you saving the 5/5 for Lupe's third album?
Lupe Fiasco is modern hip-hop at its finest. Along with Common and Kanye West, Lupe has proven that you don't have to reign from poverty or the projects (Nas, Jay-Z) to put out a classic hip-hop album. I've listened to The Cool four times already and every listen I find something new and insightful through his masterful rhymes. It's completely ironic how Lupe doesn't even think of himself as a "good" MC. Even though his next album is going to be his last, I respect the fact that he's stopping because he doesn't want money to interfere with his ability to make great music (50 Cent...). "Hip-Hop Saved My Life" is my favorite track, but nonetheless every song is a score through beats AND bars. A lot of haters are calling Lupe a "nerd rapper" with funky beats, well they can just go in their corner and bump whatever they want because they're missing out on history in the making.
yeah lupe did his thing on this album as well the last one. He is on to bigger thing but I do not beleve that he is going to just come out with one more album his fan not going to let him.
Chicago is abuzz over Mr. Fiasco. Look for an EXCLUSIVE Lupe interview next week and coverage of his Chicago in-store event very soon! If you watched MNF, you'll notice they used the instrumentals to 3 of Lupe's new songs!
Lupe’s trilogy is probably the best thing rap music has to offer for many years to come. It’s funny how things I use to find “cool” in other artists songs/albums (sound effects, the wise & skilled use of a guitar, smart lines, deep and touching melodies, meaningful lyrics…) are just everywhere on The Cool it becomes regular. It’s actually possible to make good rap music without it being an exceptional inspiration.
History’s been made indeed: this is (one of) the best you can get from the past, present and future of rap… definitely worth buying! Thanx Lupe!
i have just picked up Lupe Fiasco- The Cool i must say it is the best album i have ever heard... seriously he is my favorite artist.. he to me is simply what hip hop is about and he is the best artist out now... before i went and bought Food and Liquor several months ago i was into the whole gangsta gangsta music...but as u grow up u learn to like and respect more things and ur taste in things change... and to me that is the talent of Lupe Fiasco.. Food and Liquor is a classic and now The Cool is too... to hear that his next album will be his last is like a stab to the heart but if thats what he decides i dont blame him.... i hope he doesnt retire after only 3 though..... ne ways everybody should grab $15 roughly and go cop this album immediately 5/5
I listened to this album over and over again on MTV's the leak... Now it's here and I could buy it! There wasn't a single track on here I didn't like. You can't describe it's excellence with words... just listen to the album. Defly 5/5
This Album Is The Best Album Of 2007. They Saved The Best For Last. Lupe Please Dont Retire We Need You. Now I Gotta Get Back To Lupe Fiasco's The Cooooooooolllll!!!!
This CD is colossal sucess…. far from a fiasco. We are witnessing history the cool will have an immeasurable impact on MUSIC not just hip-hop. His mind-blowing unique wordplay mixed with very deep insight Lupe will lure new fans to hip-hop, the fans want a feeling of a tribe called quest but all they have left is this guy called LUPE and west. I have loved Chi-town music way back to like 1995 with Do-or Die then twista, now common, kanye and Lupe.
Untold part 3 the last cd in the trilogy lupEND will be great……………..to pass the time until then check out his mixtape Revenge of the nerds. Revenge of the nerds is a GREAT cd
Lupe got me when he dropped his first album. Sad to say the fans finally came through this time around, and it even kills to me to think of LupEnd. The Cool - Classic! The album takes me back to the early 90's with its beats with a modern flow. Metaphors under metaphors within metaphors, deep as FxCK. Personally "Ntruder Alert" is my favorite along with "hiphop saved my life". && might i add, that was definitly the best Review i've read. PropS Nathan S.
I absolutely LOOOVE Lupe. Both his albums are great and i think its a shame that so many people have slept on him just because he doesnt rap about the norm. I def think his fan base is growing tho, especially after THE COOL. Hip-Hop saved my life, Streets on fire and Little Weapon are my faves, closely followed by every other track :)
I'm sticking by what I said. Future of hip hop. My faves; "Streets On Fire", "Little Weapon", "Put You On Game", "Gadget Flow" & "Paris, Tokyo". In no order.
I was telling everyone who would listen (my wife just added "and some who wouldn't, including her") about Lupe Fiasco and how great "Food and Liquor" was. I urged everyone to at least listen to the album, beyond "Kick, Push". My wife became a fan of the album. Lupe was what was missing from Hip-Hop and it was a breath of fresh air. My wife told me that "The Cool" was out, so immediately dropped what I was doing to get the album. I invited my wife to join me for the first listen. Suddenly, I was hurt, disappointed, and a bit confused. This is not a Lupe Fiasco album. I know it and he knows it. Read what he has been saying lately about the music business. I am a Lupe Fiasco fan if "Food and Liquor" is Lupe being true to himself. With 19 tracks on "The Cool", only roughly 3 tracks sound like what I would expect from him. If you like the first album, this one is a complete 180 from what you would expect. What album is everyone who is praising this listening too? Did I get a bad copy of the album? Because I'm not hearing an instant classic like I did with "F&L".
Hey BKScorpion...take a look at the other 50 reviews on this page that all gave 5/5 stars. Obviously something is wrong with your taste in hip hop if you can honestly say that is is 1 star= garbage and dissagree with everyone elses opinions that it is a classic hip hop album. I respect your opinion, but come on, you and i and all of djbooth all know that this is better than 1 star.
Hey BkScorpion...I agree with you to an extent. OK, now once again before I become public enemy #1 for my rating...I would like to say that I was surprised how good Lupe was in his first album "Food and Liquor"...I thought he did very very well for his first album and I actually slept on him and thought he was just some skater dude trying to act like he knows what's going on...Boy was I mistaken. He speaks of the truth, the struggle, and the grind on everyone's mind and he is very easy to relate to. All this being said...I think the first album was also better than this one. And cb126405; you can't knock other people for having different tastes in music just because everyone else on this site likes it...He didn't sell 400k his first week did he? No; he didn't; so obviously everyone doesn't like him...actually far from it. So everyone is entitled to their own opinion. This album is definitely very different from the first album. The sound is still good, but it seems that Lupe isn't as good as I originally thought he was. This album actually exposed his style somewhat. He definitely has something to say that relates to people instead of the normal rap talk; but his verses and rhymes sometimes lose rhythm, making his flow hard to follow. He stops abruptly in the middle of verses or doesn't rhyme at all. He is definitely saying something worth listening to, don't get me wrong...I just think his delivery isn't as great as I thought it was when I heard the first album. This is my gripe with many, many songs on this album...he has something to say, so you will listen to the entire track, but his verses aren't like the traditional layout of rap songs. Very good attempt at being unique; but It sounds incoherent at times. I still give credit due where it is due, but there are many more albums on this site that deserved better ratings from the people that they didnt get...Oh well...it is what it is...I like the following tracks:
Go Go Gadget Flow, the coolest, gold watch, and gotta eat. In order for someone to recieve a perfect album rating from me; it has to be track for track hotness with a continuous flow which Lupe has not done on this album...My previous 5-star albums are All eyes on me 2pac, DMX first album, Jay-Z Blueprint 1...No album from 2007 deserves a 5-star rating...and apparently even Nathan thinks so...that's why this is a 4.5-star from him and not perfect...Good review Nate! This is an average album to me...maybe a little more, so he will go into rotation on the IPOD for a lil bit...
This CD is up there with the greatest...man you really can't say enough about this CD...don't bootleg this CD actually go out and buy it and be apart of something realy great...my favorite track is 9
Record sales doesn't have anything to do with his skills. Did 50 pass 400k first week either? Correct me if I'm wrong, but he didn't. I think he's still working on plantinum. Bone Thug's BARELY went over GOLD, and if they aren't skilled rappers, well, idk. Also, when you around 4.5, you get 5. That's probably why you don't see fours. There is no option for in between, so you round it.
Blaze Lupe didn't sell 400k his first week because 1) he doesnt like the spotlight and all that promoting shit and 2) 13-17 year olds in the subburbs are not going to go out and buy an album like this as opposed to 50 who has had more success on the pop-side of the industry. You cant deny that bro
First off this is a hip-hop masterpiece. Lupe with his sophomore album proves that he still goes strong. With lyrics like Hip-Hop saved my life and creativity that shows in Go Go Gadget Flow proves Lupe cannot be stopped. This album will be remembered because in an era of trash music such as Soulja Boy it takes talent to make lyrics appreciated, Lupe does an excellent job of that. And again this fool DJ Blaze doesn't know shit about Hip-Hop if he says Lupe is average. If y'all agree with me, show it cuz this fool DJ Blaze is giving talented artists average scores. If ya feel me holla back.
Yeah, I feel you SightStarr, but Lupe’s greatness is so evident that when someone can’t see it like Blaze or the other dude who rate it 1 it’s just ridiculous… you cant even argument with someone like that because you already know they don’t know nothing about rap or are just being snobbish.
i lyk da whole album except for gotta eat. lupe gives good lyrics so much dat u start expectin them from him, and wen they do come along u generally don't notice until maybe the 3rd or 4th time u listen. i lyk hiphop saved my life, put u on game, dumb it down, intruder alert, and the fighters
This album is ridiculous. Nothing can touch this album at all. Definitely best rap album of this year, and best one in a couple in my opinion. Great follow up, and no sophmore slump for Lupe. I just wish that "We On" with Lupe and Gemini would have gotten more popular. But Streets on Fire makes me relax mad..... AWESOME JOB
Yea this album is awesome. But some people do have the right to say wat they want. Its in our constitution. but tha whole thing wit hip hop is that u have to offer different things for different ears. Food and Liquor was purely dope and the sampling was awesome. it was full of soul and fresh compared to the whole commercialized scene hip hop is in. this time, he offered somethin that ppl in other regions wuld like, he has the serious tracks, he has a couple bangers like "High Definition" and "Gold Watch", he has to do that to attain an audience bigger than wat he had before the release. this album sold more than Food and Liquor in its first week, and ppl are startin to see that lupe is for real. last year, i mentioned his name nd ppl was like "who da hell is dat??!!" nd after his album came out, tha same people was singin "Superstar". Expect his next album to exceed the expectations and this one will be a classic. first album was close, the cool came closer, nd hes gonna get it next album.
I will just put it this way. It has been a lil more than 5 months since i bouth this album, and i still play it more than any album I have. Well, its equal with Food & Liquor, Stllmatic, Illmatic, Ready To Die, and Americaz Most wanted. I am putting it in my top 10 albums of all time and that may mean nothin to you, but I don't give a sh*t. Anyway, this is fire. Every song on here is hot. The only song that i wonder about is Hi Definition, but that beat is so insane that I would at least rate that song a 3 star, but every other song is at least a 4 or 5. Anyway the concept is insane, and in the end is undeniably CLASSIC!
Posted on May 01, 2008
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