Like his early mentor and Chicago homeboy Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco has done his growing up in public, working out both his complicated persona and his sometimes contradictory but generally laudable philosophy under the harsh glare of the spotlights. From the Star Wars- and videogame-loving urban nerd of “Kick, Push,” to his mid-period embrace of Pink Floyd and concept albums, to the current political history grad student and fiery alternative to Chief Keef and all that young rapper represents, Lupe’s evolution has not always been smooth or pretty. But it has been absurdly ambitious and thoroughly gripping, and never more so than on his awkwardly titled fourth album Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1.
As with last year’s Lasers, Atlantic Records didn’t share the artist’s vision for this release, which Lupe wanted to issue as a double album; whether as a dig at his corporate overlords or an aesthetic statement, the new disc takes a cue from Spinal Tap and features a solid black cover devoid of all markings.
