Lupe Fiasco - Food and Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album

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Lupe Fiasco is the pure definition of the struggle of the purist emcee vs. modern day record company, media, and fickle hip-hop fans. Lyrical and creative genius, classic mc, full of integrity that wants to give the world his heart, yet the record company wants him to compromise his art.  Media, fans, and record company like him and recognize that he could be one of the big artists if he toned it down a little or in his own words “dumb it down”. But when you’re determined to do it your way, with integrity, and respect for the culture, and you’re sick of the messages and lack of creativity that plagues society, the industry, and the hip hop culture. When you’re sick of the gimmicks and bullshit, and politics, and you long for days when the music just spoke for itself and artist were forced to show and prove, Food and Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album is born.  Black Cover, no words, pictures, symbols nothing.

            No stranger to controversy, for his music, opinions on; other artist, criticism of the industry and culture, the all black everything cover is no surprise really, it makes a bold statement.  Not even a track listing or producer credits.

In different fashion we don’t even jump into the music, it starts with a piece of poetry that sets the tone of the experience of the messages you are about to receive. Without doubt the Lyrics are some of the best in the business, as to be expected and proven time and time again. Sonically, its top notch also, because Lupe definitely makes a type of music, which is unpredictably predictable, because he can rap and make a song over any beat. The Production is most serviceable, with not many over the top beats, but good enough to head nod, or get your attention. Not even the production is being used as a gimmick, so no Dre’s, Kanye’s, insert your favorite celebrity producer here and no features that don’t fit or over shine the primary purpose.

What makes this album special is the technique, the attention to detail. This is a master at work still honing his craft. Besides being lyrical, Lupe has a huge subject range, seeming to leave no relevant and important subject untouched. His flows are the star of the show on this album, with him rocking multiple flows on certain tracks. The other big shining star is the song making ability, total song production, not just beat making. The songs and stories come alive and put you in them they’re not just being delivered.  The entertainment value is high numerous songs that jam and a number which have the possibility to be on radio.

 All of the songs deserve to be checked out, but “Bitch Bad” is a classic, and it’s the type of storytelling and stitching scenarios together that he does better than anyone else.  “Around My Way (Freedom Aint Free)” puts up a hell of a fight for best song on the album.  but also check “Lamborghini Angels”,  “ITAL”, “Putt Em UP” “ Battle Scars” which may get non urban radio play, “Cold War ft. Jane” , “Form Follows Function”.   For all its ups positive the only thing negative about the album is that it seems a lil preachy, not in a horrible way though. Meaning that, it seems that Lupe was so focused on getting positive messages out , that he put undue pressure on himself to have some in every song, and he doesn’t seem to be having fun. I’m all for positive messages in music, especially with the lack of substance in music these days, but it seems like Lupe is trying to balance the industry all by himself. A few more songs where he just got in and just let his creativity take control and just rip emcees a new lyrical ass hole would have created more balance. Most importantly just hearing him sounding like it was fun and not just a job or labor of love. Never the less, I give Food and Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Pt.1, 4 out of 6 stars.  It will contend for album of the year, cant wait for Pt.2

                                                                               

GOOD Music - Cruel Summer / DMX - Undisputed

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Every since its been leaked that Good Music would be doing a compilation album the expectations of what could possibly come from the house that Kanye built have been crazy, making it one of the most anticipated albums of the year. And considering the Good Music roster, and all of the people that have been assembled and affiliated with GOOD and Kanye we pretty much expected if not a classic, an album that would rival for one of the best albums of the year.  Well hold up on the high expectations, because as with most compilations it’s a different product than an album. I think many of us expected an album that sounded and felt like collaborative album rather than just a mixtape or features of GOOD music artist. Its like any other compilation album really, no real focus, direction or theme. I don’t even think it represents the label as a whole. Yasin Bey aka Mos Def is nowhere to be found, Common and Cyhi only appears once, John Legend, Kid Cuddi twice. The album doesn’t really seem like a unified team effort, to make people aware of everyone on the label and the firepower they should be looking out for in the future. Honestly it doesn’t even seem like fresh material or material not rushed for the album, it doesn’t seem like everyone was working on the album together in a truly collaborative effort, or they just don’t work well together, which is possible with strong minded creative artist used to being in control. All of the songs that stand out have already been heard and played to death; “ The One” is probably the only other song worth checking for. The production, originality and creativity is especially disappointing and doesn’t live up to expectation of anything Kanye West is associated. Cruel summer is average, and not even Kanye average just average. I give it 3 stars

 

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DMX  - Undisputed – Its been a long time since DMX has blessed the Mic, after being away doing other project, and dealing with things in his personal life the Dark Man returns to the scene with a brand new album, his first in 6 years Undisputed.  DMX is the same as we last remember, which is both a gift and a curse.  He has never been a lyrical heavy weight or gymnast, so don’t expect any of that from him on Undisputed, its simple straightforward heartfelt passionate, emotional, and hype music as always.  The song making ability is average, the versatility of flows is low but the subject range is vast.  The production is average, a few samples that were unexpected no great standout beats. The replay value and entertainment value are kind of low. Honestly this album is out of its time, there has been no growth in DMX style musically since the last time we heard him. It’s a flat consistent line, no growth or decline. It would have been a good album in the late 90’s or early 2000’s but it doesn’t compete well with what’s out. I’m not sure there’s a radio single and its average. It’s not what we expect from DMX, but its what we expect from DMX at the same time, he just hasn’t changed with the times. Many of the songs sound remind you of songs he has already made. I give the DMX Undisputed album  a weak 3 stars due to the lack of a stand out track.