Cool Out: Lupe Fiasco Provides Continued Quality

Published March 4, 2008

By Peter Casasa-Blouin

Lupe Fiasco’s second solo album, “The Cool” was released recently and stirred the hip-hop world much like his debut — “Food and Liquor.” His lyricism shines through in this album as he sings between different worlds of hip-hop and society generally. By prefacing this album with a poem called “Baba Says Cool for Thought,” he sets the stakes high for what follows. Read by Iesha Jaco, this poem is a scathing criticism of the mindless atrocities that shape the culture of fear in America.

The different identities he assumes throughout the album validate his “Go Go Gadget Flow” which he clearly has mastery of. Whether he is praising the superstar in all of us, providing the subconscious of a six year old engaged in economic warfare, or subversively refusing to “Dumb Down,” Lupe’s flow is consistent with the beat and the intended message.

Lupe writes sensitively about the anxieties of his authorship, those experienced by artists generally and how this affects those listening and how they listen. On my favorite track, entitled “Hip-Hop Saved My Life,” he explores the dichotomy between inner honesty and outward projection of honest rap. He reflects that whenever he is close to the edge by temptation or misguidance hip-hop is able to ground him. Although he is able to find solace in hip-hop, he reminds us that the fallacy apparent in pop-music may not be as apparent in one’s own life; this evokes a sense of the uncanny as he relates the story of a rape victim unable to disassociate her past with her present.

While Lupe is able to touch on subjects with objective, personal eloquence, this album could be listened to as an instrumental. By featuring other artists on the album, a sense of unity becomes apparent through the sound they achieve. As Nikki Jean, Matthew Santos, and Gemstones appear sporadically across the album it creates a curious effect of continuity. Each collaboration bears a different fruit than the others yet all the flavors mingle palatably.

Despite tension between Lupe and his label 1st & 15th Productions, the success of this album is obvious. “Superstar” enjoyed radio attention and Lupe’s voice has been the tempo for Sport Center highlight reels. I am not entirely aware of which songs capture the audience and my own preference is spoilt by indecisions. Lupe Fiasco’s “The Cool” is easy to listen to melodically and difficult to listen to intellectually, at points, but one thing remains, he undeniably “[Puts] you on Game.”

Print This Article

Comments