10th anniversary repress! Perhaps the best effort from Lupe Fiasco, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool is a loose concept album built off of a song from the Chicago mc's debut, Food & Liquor. Dude can rap, that's a given, and his bars come in various speeds, cadences, and moods. The usual sociopolitical themes aside (the LP introduces characters, the Game and the Streets), Lupe keys in on his storytelling ability, and there are darker moments throughout; The rapper losing his father (diabetes), friend (Stack Bundles, murdered) and business partner (sentenced to 44 years in prison) during the recording process. On the production side, Lupe reaches far and wide but manages to stay coherent, from jazzy, Golden Era-inspired beats ("Paris, Tokyo") to the more rock/electronic-leaning style on the Unkle-assisted "Hello/Goodbye(Uncool)." Other highlights include the radio smash "Superstar," as well as "Hip-Hop Saved My Life," "Little Weapon," "Go Go Gadget Flow," and "Gold Watch."

• translucent 'black ice' colored double vinyl pressing (please note: vinyl color is very dark, may appear black under normal lighting)
• limited edition
• original release year: 2007
• music label: Atlantic 2023

reviewed by marble cake floors 05/2017