Lupe Fiasco Shows Off His Versatility
Lupe's versatility and fluidity is undeniable on "The Instrumental," as he spits over a rock-influenced beat, dropping gems in the process: "He just sits and watches the people in the boxes/ Everything he sees he absorbs and adopts it/ He mimics and he mocks it/ Really hates the box but he can't remember how to stop it/ So he continues to watch it/ Hoping that it can give him something that he can box with/ Or how to locksmith/ See the box is locked in the box/ Ain't got the combination to unlock it/ That's why he watches." Here Lupe argues that boxes (television) brainwash and dumb us down, rendering us mute, hence the name of the track: "The Instrumental."
Lupe dishes out social insight and commentary as well on the straightforwardly titled "American Terrorist," a political track focusing on the current war(s) in the Middle East: "The books that take you to heaven and let you meet the Lord there/ Have become misinterpreted reasons for warfare." From slavery to modern-day racism in the United States, Lupe retraces events that pose the question: who really is a terrorist?
Lupe Delivers on Food & Liquor
As the album's title would indicate, the key ingredient to Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor is balance. Covering a wide spectrum of topics and issues, Lupe maintains equilibrium between consciousness and intellectualism as well as care-free living. His ability to attract such a diverse audience, from underground to mainstream listeners, and from boisterous Linkin Park fans to even the most elitist of hip-hop purists, additionally indicates his great promise as the "future of hip-hop." With Food & Liquor, Lupe has successfully crafted a blueprint that will certainly influence and hopefully re-kindle hip-hop's flickering light, by sparking and inspiring the minds of the next generation.
Top Tracks
- "Kick,Push"
- "Hurt Me Soul"
- "American Terrorist"
- "The Instrumental"
- "Daydreamin'"
