The Cool

Lupe Fiasco is one of the best rappers in the game right now because of his unique flow and in this albums he shines. This is a very good album from start to finish and if you haven't bought it yet, trust me you should. Food and Liquor was also great and both are must haves.. This is real hip hop at its best and music people should appreciate artists like Lupe Fiasco. GO COP IT!!!!!!!

This is one of the better albums of the year in the hip-hop/rap genre. I saw him open for Kanye West and he served his music well. Lupe certainly does not "dumb it down." If you are looking for songs about 24s, booze and broads, this is not the one. His smart and fluid lyrics along with great production.

Any of the songs with Matthew Santos is great - he adds a great vibe.

Get this album - you will not be sorry.

First let me just say that I'm big on good music and this cd is amazing!!! That is if you like real music and not cramp like "Soulijah Boy"!!! Sorry just being real. Each song delivers a message and we need more artist like him.

I own every cd ever made by Lupe, including mixtapes. This is only second best to Food & Liquor which was his first. Every track is solid. No lag in content or beat. Definitely a must have.

Lupe Fiasco's first ever single was called "Kick, Push." The public enjoyed it namely because of its catchy hook. But what drew me toward Lupe Fiasco was the fact that he was different. He is nothing like any rapper of today, yet he is so confident and, to quote him, he's so "cool." I saw the video for "Kick, Push" the other day and that's what motivated me to listen to his sophomore album, "The Cool." I was so impressed with his lyrics and cool delivery. He gets his point across but he never has to show off or go all out because he will be heard regardless. His voice is unique as well so that is even more of a bonus.

As soon as you pop this album in you will know that the beats found here are quite eerie and haunting. Some of the production sounds like background music for a haunted house, but this sound works for this artist. He has never been a commercial artist. In fact, the only commercial songs you will find here are his first single from this album called "Superstar" and "Hi-Definitions", which features Pooh Bear and Snoop (but lately, isn't everything Snoop does lately commercial?). "Superstar" contains a great hook, a good beat and very interesting lyrics. This song was a success for Lupe and there is no wonder why. This Muslim rapper has no filler on this album. "Superstar" is the only five-star song on this album, but the rest of them are definitely worth listening to. "Intruder Alert" is about a woman who was raped and now she's having a hard time trusting men. The beat is haunting but I really like the hook and lyrics. "The Coolest", "Hip Hop Saved My Life" and "Put You On Game" are all fantastic numbers and you'll find Lupe spitting some of the best rhymes you have heard in some time. "The Coolest" contains a nice string, drum and piano arrangement.

While I do recommend this album, a mature person would enjoy it a lot more because his lyrics aren't the easiest to depict. Too, those who are into that snap music, commercial rap and R&B and that simple stuff that is incessantly played on the radio, you might not really take much from this album. I enjoyed it, though, and so did everyone who I talked to about it. 4 shining stars.

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "Superstar"
2. "Hi-Definitions"
3. "Hip Hop Saved My Life"
4. "Little Weapon"
5. "Dumb It Down"