The Cool

A decade ago I ran a hiphop radio station in college... Since that time I listen less and less to hip-hop as the quality has fallen off a cliff. I'm relieved to have purchased this album... it gives me hope that some artists are still trying to make good hip-hop.

The Cool is all about touching on specific topics that Lupe feels no one else will. He puts far too much time into his lyrics and not enough into the flow of his music. There are barely any catchy hooks throughout the whole CD.

I first heard Lupe Fiasco on MTV one day when they were playing the video of "Kick, Push." I was just getting into skateboarding at the time, so the song really appealed to me and I really liked how it wasn't another track about pushing white or being a hustler. Next I heard Lupe collaborating with Kanye West on "Touch The Sky," which is on Mr. West's second album "Late Registration." By then I knew that I had to pick up his first album, "Food And Liquor," when it dropped. So I did, and I loved almost every second of it. I could tell then that Lupe was gonna be rap's next best story-teller, with vivid rhymes and a good selection of beats to back up his flow. Now, Lupe is back with his sophomore album, and from the start you already know it's no sophomore slump.

The intro is again powerful and short. It's followed by a quick interlude called "Free Chilly". Then we get to the first real song of the album, "Go Go Gadget Flow." I love this joint. I think it is a great way to set the tone for the album after the first two skits. "The Coolest" really conveys everything the Lupe is trying to get across with this album. I love the beat and the overall tone of the song is great. "Superstar" is a real laid-back tune with the perfect sing-along chorus from Mathew Santos. Trust me, this track will have you nodding your head singing "If you are what you say you are, a superstar, then have no fear, the camera's here!" I just love it. "Paris, Tokyo" is chilled out with Lupe rhyming about touring and leaving his girl. Again, it's got that vibe that just makes you nod your head. "Hi-Definition" is a track with Snoop that surprisingly works. This joint is another in the string of nod-your-head tracks. This one will make you feel good. "Gold Watch" bangs with irony, and "Hip-Hop You Saved My Life" is about a man who makes it big by rapping. So, easily to say, the first half of the album has enough songs to keep you listening to the rest of the long 19-track release.

"Intruder Alert" is a song I could put on repeat for days. He tells you the story of a woman learning to love after being raped, a drug addict, and a man trying to save his daughter from being deported. The vocals from Sarah Green are amazing. "Streets on Fire" has Lupe spitting just that about a disease that's killing the whole world. Mathew Santos gives an excellent chorus as well. "Little Weapon" has an engaging intro and Lupe raps about how kids pick up guns at an early age for different reasons. Fast-paced and enthralling, this track is another standout. "Gotta Eat" is not one of my favorites. It really breaks the monotony, but not in a good way. It's slow and honestly, boring. But however, the next track, "Dumb It Down", picks things right back up. It's got the beat to ride to and it's all about how he doesn't dumb down his music for sales. On "Hello Goodbye" Lupe shows off his flow which has improved from his last album. He gets political and the beat and chorus are great. "The Die" is fast paced and features GemStones, who shines along with Lupe. I love the guitar in the background as well. "Put You On Game" slows things down again but keeps the hard-edgedness up. "Fighters" once again features Mathew Santos and when you hear this track, which just want to close your eyes and hum along. "Go Baby" is the final track dedicated to the ladies. Being a lady, I'd rather listen to this song than some dirty track from Webbie or the Ying Yang Twins that just downs females.

Overall, throughout this 19 track release, Lupe brings enough fire, energy, and depth to keep you listening all the way through. His collaborations with Mathew Santos, Sarah Green, and GemStones all turn out great, and I look forward to his next album "L.U.P.End", which I hope feature more tracks with these artists. The beats are fantastic all the way through, and none of this material gets tiring. I have to say I'm surprised by the response to this album, because I find it much better than his first (which is great anyway) and one of the top albums of 2007. With this release, my expectations of his next (and supposedly last) album are very high. Please don't let us down Lupe. Pick this album up if you love Hip-Hop.

Another great Lupe album. fell in love with Food & Liquor over 2 years ago and this album does not disappoint. Would recommend this album to everyone....actually I DO recommend this to everyone!

Man In 2006 Nas Said Hip-Hop Was Dead And In That Same Year A Slept On Debut From Chi-Town Native By The Name Of Lupe Fiasco Dropped And Man Was Nas Wrong But In The Year Of 2007 When Soulja Boy Reigned Supreme The Cool Was Bestowed On Us Better Than American Gangster, Better Than Curtis, Better Than Graduation Lupe Delivers With Quick Wit Ans Intellegence "The Coolsest" Serves As A Prequel To A Track Called The Cool From Which The Album Gets Its Title And Ima Say Its The Greatest Hip-Hop Song Since I Used To Love H.E.R If This Album Would Have Dropped In 94 WOW But The Album Is Much Darker In Contrast From Food & Liqour with Tracks Like Put You On Game Which Bears Truth And Reality Too Bad lupEND will be his last album
DAMN THIS KID IS GOOD