Top

music

Stories

 

No One Wants to Smoke a Blunt with Lupe Fiasco

Nerd alert

The Cool is a showcase for Fiasco’s restless ambition, an hour-and-10-minute sprawl that encompasses double-time rapped odes to his hometown (“Go-Go-Gadget Gospel”), Midnight Marauders–esque love ballads (“Paris, Tokyo”),novelistic portraits of everything from aspiring Houston rappers (“Hip-Hop Saved My Life”) to conscripted African child soldiers (“Little Weapon”) and even a call for better health in the ghetto, rapped from the perspective of a cheeseburger. Somewhere in between is a convoluted mini-concept album featuring characters called The Streets, The Game and The Cool. The fact that he makes it work is both a testament to Fiasco’s inherent genius, inordinate technical rapping ability and vertigo-inducing wordplay. Even if Fiasco might never make the old guard want to smoke a blunt with him or even call him up on the land line, it’s all right. He’s prospering in the age of the iPhone.

Lupe Fiasco performs at House of Blues on Thurs., Jan. 17.

<< Previous Page | 1 | 2 | All
 
My Voice Nation Help
4 comments
valdes.judit
valdes.judit

"...and even a call for better health in the ghetto, rapped from the perspective of a cheeseburger"? Like, really? Even I understood that song, and I'm not from an English-speaking country. So.

Ian
Ian

What's all this hate on Lupe for? Lupe was a Jazz fan growing up and doesn't hide that he did no get into hip hop until he heard Nas's It Was Written. Lupe is far from soft either, he grew up in a much harder environment then half the posers that are now popular. Just because he has his priorities straight and doesn't rap about cars, money and bitches doesn't mean he's not hip-hop. He's miles more hip-hop then any of the other popular rappers today. And yes I would smoke a blunt with Lupe....

A094H2
A094H2

I'm glad Lupe hasn't jumped on te mainstream hip-hop bandwagon. #occupy

Jonah Bromwich
Jonah Bromwich

Go-Go Gadget Gospel is a Gnarls Barkley song. The Lupe song is "Go Go Gadget Flow." Interesting article.

 

Concert Calendar

  • May
  • Wed
    22
  • Thu
    23
  • Fri
    24
  • Sat
    25
  • Sun
    26
  • Mon
    27
  • Tue
    28
Los Angeles Event Tickets
©2013 LA Weekly, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Los Angeles

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city