A Review of Lupe Fiasco's The Cool

A review of Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool

After his first outing, Lupe Fiasco set the bar rather high for himself. Instantly cementing himself as a top lyricst in the rap game, he had better delivered if he hopes to maintain any form of momentum. Luckily his next album, The Cool, not only reaches the bar he set previously, but soars over it.

1) Baba Says Cool For Thought- This is just a spoken word intro and as such can’t really be rated for musical quality. Honestly, it’s the weakest part of this cd. Lupe, Def Poetry Jam is never cool. N/A

2) Free Chilly- This is a better intro for the cd than The first track, but it would also mess up my scoring system so I won’t give it an actual score since it is essentially another intro. I will say it is very soulful and if you know the meaning behind the song, it is very heartfelt.

3) Go Go Gadget Flow- Lupe runs the hundred meter dash lyrically in record time. His spitfire bouncing vocals and string heavy beat, mesmerize and entertain with a dizzying flurry of verses. 8/10

4)The Coolest- Consider this part one of the conceptualization of The Cool. One of the darker beats on the Cd with choir vocals aiding an air of epic flavor. The shining beacon on this Cd is Lupe beginning the story of Michael Young History. His lyrics go above and beyond giving you a narrative from this characters mouth and is overall, delivers an atmospheric monologue complete with dominating vocals. 9/10

5) Superstar- Another example of Lupe putting everything together, creating phenomenal music. Superstar is in fact a Superstar of tracks. Matt Santos dominates the hook and manages to keep up with Lu on this track, not being out shinned by the lyrical genius that flows from Lupe’s mouth. Easily a perfect choice for a first single. 10/10

6) Paris, Tokyo- Probably the smoothest track on the Cd. The beat is very laid back, almost jazzy. And Lupe provides an even paced, melodic flow depicting his obligation to travel for his music and how it separates him from someone special. Very intelligent, warm song- 9/10

7) Hi Definition- The beat on this track is far from traditional. It has an almost sporadic feel to it that manages to grab you long enough for Lu and Snoop to really give you something to bob your head to. It’s not often I say Lupe is outdone on his own track, but Snoop spit’s a very entertaining flow with his signature Snoop Dogg swagger.- 9/10

8) Gold Watch- This track let’s you know who Lu is and what he’s all about. Lu catalogues his unorthodox style and outlooks on life with a near perfect flow and clever word play. With references to Comic books, Japanese culture, and Go-yard Lu gives you a track that is far from ordinary for any rapper. The beat is near perfect, the only complaint I hear most of the time is the looped vocals in the background can grade on some people’s nerves. Shame too. This was almost a perfect score. 9/10

9) Hip Hop Saved My Life- Lu does what he does on this track. He writes a narrative and draws you into it with a piano and string heavy beat, perfect rhythm thoughtful lyrics and a haunting chorus from Nikki Jean. The song is so positive and inspirational, it is impossible to root against it. 10/10

10) Intruder Alert- This is another very dark track. The song follows three separate stories following a victim of rape, a drug addict, and a father sending his child to America illegally for a better life. The chorus by Sarah Green is so heartfelt and sad, it will actually stir up emotion in the listener. Then Ms. Green goes off at the end of the song almost stealing the show from Lu’s dark and insightful lyrics. Almost. 10/10

11) Streets On Fire- Lu continues his hot streak on this album by delivering a drum heavy beat with speedy vocals, and even more thoughtful Lyrics. Lu creates a situation of an unstoppable disease killing people off on the “streets” and the kind of effects it would have on society. It almost comes off as more of a social commentary than a song at some points, but ultimately entertains in a way only Lu could makes a song like this entertain.-10/10

12)Little Weapon- This is one fantastic showcase of music, not only for Lupe but the entire First and Fifteen label. Taking another serious topic in the form of Child soldiers in Africa ( The Invisible Children) Lu creates a sinister and evil atmosphere almost nonchalantly. Then we are treated to even more vocals from Nikki Jean and a sick verse by Bishop G. The beat is produced by Patrick Stump of Fallout Boy, which should give you some kind of idea how this isn’t a typical rap beat. 10/10

13) Gotta Eat- This song is probably the weakest on the Cd, but it is till one of the most creative tracks in all of rap history. It appears as if Lupe is rapping from the perspective of a Cheese Burger. That wasn’t a typo. The beat is almost completely void of any form of bass, depending on string play and drums. Lu manages to deliver clever word play, and melodic vocals, but the song still manages to miss something, might be the annoying chorus. Either way it is still an entertaining and clever song. 8/10

14)Dumb It Down- Lupe’s word play has never been stronger. I cannot even do justice to how clever Lu’s Lines are on this track, and they aren’t just one-liners. These lyrics are designed specifically to go over people’s head, a contrast to the title of the song. The song is mainly about how Lu refuses to “ Dumb it down” to be more mainstream or sell more records. Funny and entertaining while holding on to a pinch of rebellion and arrogance, Lu basically refuses to change on this track. 10/10

15) Hello/Goodbye (Uncool)- This is the only Lupe Fiasco track I have ever heard where the beat outshines the vocals. The Track is produced by Unkle and is so sporadic, heavy, and creative it really distracts from Lu’s lyrics, which are not throw away lyrics mind you. The only weak point is a chorus that seems to dull against the back drop of this beat and Lu’s verses. 9/10

16)The Die- This track chronicles the last moments leading up the death of Michael Young History. Also known as The Cool. Lupe and Gemstones manages to deliver rapid fire lyrics from both sides of the death. Lu portrays a confidant of The Cool while Gemstones portrays the man responsible for his death. The beat and the hook struggle to keep up with the verbal onslaught by Lu and Gemstones, but manage to not hurt the song in anyway at the same time. Amazing track- 10/10

17) Put You on Game- Easily one of the darkest beats I have ever heard. Steady and slow, almost lumbering in the background away from Lu’s Lyrics which introduce us to a new character, The Game. The game is a manifestation of all the evil of the rap game, the drugs, guns, violence, sex, the death. Lu raps from his characters perspective creating a truly evil, almost satanic, representation of this character. If I could give this song more than ten out of ten I would. 10/10

18)Fighters- Everything about this song is perfect. Lupe and Matt Santos deliver something similar to a swan song, but still leave the door open for Lupe’s next and presumed final album, LUPend. The beat is very soft and melodic, just enough to keep rhythm with Lupe’s rhymes which sound to be the most personal his words have ever been. 10/10

19) Go Baby- This song isn’t the best, but Lu dedicated it to a group of fans of his that ran a web site dedicated to him. He never met the girls, but was so impressed by what they did, he dedicated this song to them. The beat has a nice bounce to it which will have your head bobbin before you realize it. This song is pretty much the antitheses of The die. Lu and Gemstones provide a happier, brighter song dedicated to special ladies in their lives. Not the greatest track to end on, but not a bad track by any means. 8/10

Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool, is a brilliantly put together, loosely conceptualized and one of the best Rap Cd’s released in a very long time. We often hear about the sophomore slump for a majority of music artist. Lupe manages to avoid the slump and actually excels above and beyond his first outing. It is truly a tragedy we can only expect one more album from Lu because if is next one is anything like The Cool, It will leave us wanting more. See you all next time when I review Kanye West’s debut album, The College Dropout.

9.4/10