Before I rip into Lupe Fiasco’s latest offering, I must first say that I am a big fan of his prior work. I enjoyed the FnF mixtapes, Revenge of the Nerds was in my deck for months. I loved Food & Liquor, I even own the unreleased version of the album. I was a great supporter of The Cool, and still bump it from time to time.
The hype for Lasers was big, Lupe’s next album was supposed to be his last. Originally the title for the album was LupEND singling the end of a career. Then we heard that the Friend of the People mixtape was dropping, then we heard the big news that Lasers was NEVER coming out.
Lupe’s career came to a standstill and angry fans protested against Atlantic records. Finally, an agreement was reached and a release date for Lasers was set. We received a great commercial single with The Show Goes On and the stage was set for Lupe Fiasco to drop another classic album.
Unfortunately, we were presented with a steam heapy pile of peaches and skeet known as Lupe Fiasco’s Lasers. So now pause with me, as I break it down…
Track 1, Letting Go (feat. Sarah Green)…
Sarah Green has worked with Lupe before, most famously on the Paris Tokyo Remix. As the song starts the beat is acceptable then a weak ass intro/chorus hits you with “oooh oooh oooh.” I feel like I have been hit with a cereal commercial for Honey Bunches of Oh’s. Then comes the verses, Lupe sells out and spits with a voice filter ala Kanye West speaking thru a megaphone, that was played out on Runaway, it should never be heard again. Such a sad excuse for an intro. Moving on…
Track 2, Words That I Should Have Said (feat. Skylar Grey)…
Oh Skylar Grey, you we’re great on Recovery. This track sounds like a damn carbon copy of I Need A Doctor by Dr. Dre and Eminem and that track was a carbon copy of The Way You Lie by Eminem and Rihanna. The beat is boring and the hook is played. I see a trend here for Lupe, PLAYED, DATED, TRENDY.
Track 3, Til I Get There…
Now this is what I’m talking about. This track sounds like it could be on Food n Liquor or The Cool. The beat is on point on some chill music, very similar to Paris Tokyo but in a good way, furthermore I can put this along side Kick Push. Lupe does his own chorus which is dope. The lyrics are on par. This is the first good track on the entire LP. Props. “The world is so cold, I’m glad I brought these skis.”
Track 4, I Don’t Care Right Now (feat. MDMA)…
Electro time! This track reminds me of the of horror which of that was this year’s Super Bowl half time show. Black Eyed Peas. Did Will I Am produce this track? Because it has Fergie queef written all over it. MDMA is a fake remake of Akon mixed with a little swamp butt. This track is horrible. This is the type of music that made people jump out of the World Trade Center windows to their untimely deaths.
Track 5, Out Of My Head (feat. Trey Songz)…
Sad attempt at a ladies love jam? I think so. Overall, it is an average track, has a very catchy beat. I can hear this being played on commercial stations. Lupe actually comes legit on the verses and Trey does his usual thing. Just doesn’t seem to fit with Lupe’s style, over use of synth as well.
Track 6, The Show Goes On…
One of the best tracks of 2011. Kane Beatz delivers on the beat with the Modest Mouse sample. Great video, overall a dope song. Those of you that know me, know this is my theme song. Lyrics are fresh and flow smoothly, plus substance. Funny, how Lupe said he hated making this song when in the song he is actually talking about his problems with Atlantic. No matter what happens, the show goes on. Great single.
Track 7, Beautiful Lasers (2Ways) (feat. MDMA)…
What in the deuce is this guy thinking? MDMA again? Immediately you are ear molested by MDMA’s crappy voice over electro wannabe beats. This crap sounds like it belongs in a bad trance rave, everytime the chorus hits I want to stab MDMA with a spoon. It’s bad enough this guy is named after a drug better known as ectasy. Wow, you’re coal braaah. Worst song on the album.
Track 8, Coming Up (feat. MDMA)…
I better not catch MDMA on the streets… wait a second, this song is actually good. Beat is a head nodder, Lupe flows nicely spitting fresh lyrics. Oh wait, the chorus hit, nevermind. Overall, this is an average track, MDMA tried on the chorus, it is acceptable. This is more of Lupe’s style. I guess Will I Am wasn’t available this day.
Track 9, State Run Radio (feat. Matt Mahaffey)…
Who’s this Pharrell? Oh never mind Travis Barker with the craptastic wannabe rock beat. This track I gave special attention to since it is discussing radio. My radio station and DJ’s supported Lupe throughout his entire career, and he served us a nice plate of hot cherry poop juice. Lupe fails on the lyrics on this one. Interesting fact, when Lupe was asked in a RADIO interview recently what his next move was, he said he was going to move to Africa and make rock music. Please dont, Blink 182 got you homie.
Track 10, Break The Chain (feat. Eric Turner and Sway)…
Is this Sway from the Wake Up Show?? OMG!!! Oh never mind its a unknown rapper with the same name who raps with an accent. When listening to this song I am reminded of Black Box from the 90’s and Rhythm Is A Dancer by Snap! Learn you 90’s history or google it trick.
Track 11, All Black Everything…
Not sure how I feel about naming a track after a Jay-Z line. Jay made it a hot line, Lupe made it a hot song. Nothing bad to say about this song. Lupe came legit with every single verse. The beat knocks and remains unique with the opera voice in the background, nice track. Once again Lupe should stick to doing his own choruses. *Bravo* Peep his Rat Pack line, tis true…
Track 12, Never Forget You (feat. John Legend)…
What is with 12 track albums now? We went from Double CDs to 18 track LPs, to 12 track albums, we are almost EP status. Anyways, great track to end the album. It is like the ending credits rolling thru the album. John Legend delivers, we would expect nothing less. Lupe is at his best when he delivers emotion filled memory trip raps. This is a stand out from the album, Lupe at his best.
So that’s it! That’s my Lupe review. I think many songs were left off this album due to Atlantic Records, so I don’t blame him. He is still on my top 5 emcees in the game now. What happened to the track You Can Go To Sleep? I guess the label didn’t approve. Lupe is one of our most talented artists in the rap game, why would you put him a box to do trendy hipster music? The man himself was hating on his own album on twitter, yet it is number 1 on iTunes this week. I guess bullshit sells. Keep making great music Lupe, and they can go to sleep.
