Album: Food & Liquor
Stars: 5/5
Fueled by two album leaks and a formidable list of powerhouse producers, Lupe Fiasco was primed to be the new hip-hop king. With his debut album Food & Liquor (Atlantic), Fiasco just might fulfill these expectations.
The first single off the album, "Kick, Push", hints at Fiasco's versatility. As a skateboarder, Fiasco unabashedly pulls from his roots, and on top of smooth beats, transforms skateboarding into a dope hip-hop ode to the tenacity needed for success in life. (Yeah, you heard it here: skateboarding is going to be the '07 equivalent of grills.)
Food & Liquor shines as a modern hip-hop accomplishment. From the soulful jazzy sound of "Daydreamin'," featuring Jill Scott, to the nu-metal beats of "Instrumental" (a.k.a. "Never Lies"), Fiasco shows his skills by internalizing several different styles and tailoring his lyrics to fit the form. Additionally, with socially conscious tracks such as "American Terrorists," along with revamped hard knock stories like "Just Might be OK," the album's cohesive strength establishes Fiasco as one of the best new rappers of the year.
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