In the past year hip hop has been under a lot of scrutiny for its vulgar lyrics and lack of content. While some of the criticism is unwarranted, some is deserved because many artists may be talented, yet they make music about the same subject matter, drug dealing, sex, and money. Lupe Fiasco’s sophomore album, The Cool, is truly a breath of fresh air. After having a critically acclaimed first album Food & Liquor, Lupe has no sophomore slump and delivers a really good album. Throughout the album he displays his versatility. Tracks like his first single, “Dumb it Down”, shows Lupe’s refusal to water down his lyrics or content to conform to the industry to sell more records, and it shows just how complex he can make his rhymes.
Clever verses are not in short supply on The Cool so listeners will definitely be using their rewind buttons on their CD players.
Lupe does a good job of showcasing his ability to make records that are fun as well. Tracks like “Paris, Tokyo”, “Hi-Definition”, featuring Snoop Dogg, and “Gold Watch” prove Lupe is very well rounded in his musical capabilities. Lupe doesn’t disappoint in his storytelling either as the album is filled with plenty of narratives. “Little Weapon,” tells an interesting story that looks at children with weapons. On the first verse he details the life of 10-year-old African soldiers who kill for a living. On “Hip Hop Saved My Life,” Lupe shows that he is very fond of Houston rappers and tells the story of an up and coming rapper trying to break into the industry.
“Gold Watch” is a track about the personal likes of Lupe, which includes everything from Street Fighter, goyard bags, and playing the Nintendo Wii. The song “Put you on Game” is one of the most descriptive and chilling narratives on the album.
While Lupe’s album is good, it does have a few small missteps. “Hello/Goodbye (Uncool)” has a rock feel to it that doesn’t really flow with the album. While the verses are cool, a different beat may have enhanced the song. The song “Go Baby,” a song for the ladies, really belongs at the beginning of the album and not as the last track because it disturbs the flow of the album. In fact, the song “Fighters,” a track before “Go Baby,” really sounds like the last track with Lupe giving shout outs, thanking family and friends and telling the title of his next album.
With The Cool being such a solid album, Lupe’s should get a lot of play in CD players well into the summer. This album, once again proves that hip hop can be positive, fun, and have subject matter.