Lupe Fiasco - The Future Of Hip Hop

Nice article
written by B. Brantlin

The phrase “best rapper alive” is thrown around too often in today’s world of hip-hop. Originally made popular by Lil Wayne and through internet debates, listeners are quick to claim who the modern-day Tupac or Notorious B.I.G is. While I am unsure of who the best rapper alive is (although I’m certain it’s not Lil Wayne,) I have a better idea of who it is going to be. I am talking about Lupe Fiasco, the 26-year-old Chicago native who Jay-Z once described as a “breath of fresh air.” Fiasco proves to be exactly that. In a rap industry cluttered with souljah boys and the T-Pain voice effect, Fiasco sticks out amongst the rest as something unique.

Best known to the mainstream audience by his hit single “Superstar,” Fiasco has released two full-length albums: “Food & Liquor” in 2006 and “The Cool” in 2007. While “Food & Liquor” is still better than 90% of what’s out there today, Fiasco’s sophomore disc, “The Cool,” moves him closer to that bold phrase I started the article with. You see, Fiasco has a quality that most rappers or bands in general do not possess today: diversity. Not since Outkast have I heard a hip-hop artist with such a diverse collection of songs. From the catchy, upbeat “Go go Gadget Flow,” the personal breakdown of “Fighters,” to the street anthem “Put you on Game,” each of Fiasco’s tracks have their own sense of style and purpose. Not one of his songs sounds like the next.

read more here