Lupe’s most current single “Bitch Bad,” (the song that frenzied the feminists), holds a special place in my heart because of intention, but the flow on the track falls flat and I still don’t understand exactly what it is that makes a bitch, a woman, or even a lady. His other single, “Lamborghini Angels”, speaks on material-worshipping and street saints, with many metaphors, concepts and allusions to current events that might go over a few heads.
“Heart Donor”, featuring Poo Bear, seemed to be one of the more misplaced songs. The hook literally made me LOL, but I suppose the title explains what this album is: Lupe Fiasco’s ripped organ, bloody in his hands, handed to his fans. It is everything that he holds important, proven by the very personal song “Cold War”, a memorial to his deceased brother. If he willingly donates his heart to music, though, I wonder if he’ll really quit the rap game after this album to become a teacher. I’d warn him that either profession requires a donated heart. I should know. I do both.
“Put Em Up” is one of the few songs on the album that separates itself from a heavy message over a catchy beat, and focuses solely on similes and Lupe’s lively lyricism. Another, the love song “How Dare You” featuring Bilal, is definitely single-status, though It’s no “Paris, Tokyo” or “Go Baby”. Post-breakup song “Battle Scars,” featuring Guy Sebastian, can also be a good candidate for a single if Lupe is trying to break away from the message-heavy songs that he has released thus far.
Listening to the whole album in two sittings was a lot to take in, and that rewind button was my best friend. It is clear that this project was a weight off of Lupe’s shoulders and a teachable moment for him and his fans. At the Kendrick Lamar show, Lupe told the Compton rapper that he isn’t “going nowhere… understand the OG’s is still here.” After this project, however, I don’t think he needs to worry about any of the up and coming MCs driving into his course. He created his own lane that you probably don’t get to traverse down until you have gained that creative freedom, and definitely not until you have graduated to rhymes like: “That’s why I sound so certain in my verses and my flows/ The verbiage just gets merciless, the Wordsmithness just rolls.”
Food and Liquor II bounces back and forth from a melodic and cadenced flow to a slow, almost talking style of spit. Sometimes you gotta talk to ’em… sometimes you gotta wow them with words, and Fiasco manages to do both. Though I’m sure his fan base has evolved with him, I’m not sure how receptive the general public will be to this heavy, humanistic album. If Ayesha says “times are changing… the revolution is becoming second nature”, maybe we’re witnessing the birth of a new direction for rap.
Lets hope so… Or we’re all going to have to become teachers like Lu.
dope shit pinky
[Spoiler Alert]- For those that buy a physical copy of the album, Lupe Fiasco adds to the experience of the album in a really clever way. So everything is black: front cover, back cover, cd, and even the booklet is a few all-black pages. Jokingly I said “I guess he saved a lot of money on artwork,” but of course I knew he was making a statement. Then I thought “well that’s cool, but I don’t even know the names of the songs and other important credit information (yes I actually read that stuff).” So I started listening to the cd and it just kept popping in my head “how did Lupe get away with not having any credits in the album?” While listening to the album, track 17 shows on my cd player and Lupe Fiasco’s voice says “For credit information, look under the cd tray.” So like a little kid on Christmas, I grabbed the CD and lifted the cd tray (almost breaking it) and there it was… All the credits to every song. I just thought that was super clever, had to share. Good job Pinqy, Peace
Great Write up.
Great work! Lets hope the future “rappers” follow in-suite.. We can all use a break from the mainstream music and finally get something to really LISTEN to.
Yo great read I bought the record this morning. I haven’t listened to it all the way though but I love what I have heard so far. Lu is one of my favorite musicians out right now! Midwest in the house 313