Review: Lupe Fiasco – Food & Liquor II: Great American Album Part 1

BY SABRINA VICTOR

Since starting his career Lupe Fiasco has been known for speaking out about record label pressures & making bold political statements. He was an early & vocal advocate of Occupy Wall Street and performed on BET wearing a Palestinian Flag, calling the President “the biggest terrorist” because of his bombings that fuel terrorism as a result. When he released his album Food & Liquor II: Great American Album Part 1 on September 25^th he made sure to voice his opinions on each track.

Food & Liquor II: Great American Album Part I, is filled with Lupe Fiasco’s anti-establishment views on society. The album is split into two main themes: America and Rap. When talking about America, Lupe takes on subjects like poverty, religion, politics, and corruption.  According to MTV, Fiasco has said that this album is about the “the rise and fall of America.” In the rap-themed part of this album he emphasizes the negativity coming from hip-hop culture. This album is a success because it talks about a wide-range of topics & he raps with great intensity and flow.

Fiasco proves what a great lyricist he is on Food & Liquor II. He doesn’t shy away from airing his views on politics, past events, or even modern society. In the song “Ital (Roses)”, Fiasco discusses African American problems while also attacking mainstream rap for only talking about drugs and sex. While in “Lamborghini, Angels”, heavy topics like pedophile priests, exorcism, and racism are discussed. The most opinionated track on the album is “Unforgivable”, in which Fiasco talks about America’s past history. He criticizes Christopher Columbus, attacks Manifest Destiny and the genocide of Native Americans. Lyrics like these show Fiasco doesn’t just rap for the dollars, but to bring awareness of our unjust society.

Fiasco also uses the album to showcase his pristine flow. In the song “Strange Fruition”, about instuitional racism and how it connects to the ghetto, Lupe angrily raps with clever lines such as “There was nothing equal for my people in your math. You put us in the ghetto and then you take our dads”. While in “Audobon Ballroom”, a tribute to heroes Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, there is a simple and slow flow that uses great puns and metaphors. Lyrics like “Pimp you may move a mouse but what’s a rat to a cat store. It’s like a gig to an app store. I rap Black history, you can only see my past if you fast forward”, are attention grabbers that show Fiasco’s clever use of words.

Food & Liquor II: Great American Album Part I, proves what a great lyricist Lupe Fiasco is and that he will touch any subject he feels strongly about.