“Now as I wander through the city goin mad/I see the fruits
of planting evidence instead of grass/A swindled generation with no patience,
full of swag/Man, they so impatient with the stations that they have/As long as
they look good when they be doin bad/Then the separation from the truth is
gettin vast, fast/Be a slave at first or free at last/Double-edged choices make
a nigga wanna pass/Double-headed voices from the eagle on the staff/The pyramid
where eyes will split the spirited in half/Divided over money/Delighted by the
dummyin down of the importance of crowns we'll never have/That's why my sounds
and sermons are so full of wrath/Baptize your mind, let your brain take a bath/Swim
inside the river get delivered from the craft/Of the witches in this business
that be livin off your sad/Hatin on your happiness you hit 'em off with laughs/Smile
'til they surrender, then you kill 'em off with glad/Hello evil, I'm back” -Lupe Fiasco “Strange Fruition” (verse 2)
Lupe Fiasco recently released his third album via Atlantic
Records and presents a society challenging body of work. He expresses himself
with the intent to push the envelope, and to voice the social and educational
disenfranchisement of the people that hold a low socio-economic status within
America and across the world. With songs like: “Bad Bitch”, “Unforgivable Youth”,
“Strange Fruition”, and countless others. His newest 17 track musical offering,
Food & Liquor II: The Greatest Rap Album Part 1 embodies these struggles of
latter America.
The album begins with a strong poem from Ayesha Jaco. Jaco delivers a stark description of the social disparities which Blacks, Latinos, Poor Whites, the misrepresented and the politically ignored endure day in and day out. This introduction lays the ground for the content of Fiasco’s collection of music for the album. The music provides a vivid story of a misguided society and their psychological impairment brought to the average consumer by people who maintain certain agendas and capitalistic manipulation as the backdrop of society.
Nevertheless, there are hypocritical moments that are apart of his latest body of work. The irony is that Fiasco points it out effortlessly without hesitation. There should be a necessary respect given to an artist who will provide you flaws within their work. He understands that he does not solely control his musical direction with every song that makes up this album.
The album should receive the highest award for sticking to the true ideology of hip-hop and pushing the envelope. While providing content that could possibly change the world; he makes sure he gives you smashing 16 bars, top notch similes, superb double and triple entendres, and face cringing metaphors. However, he is conscious enough to provide 87% of his body of work which represents and OCCUPY’S ALL STREETS.
Fiasco has continued to vocalize in the last few years on various points such as presidential critiques, terrorism, direct attacks on Islam in the media, voting, and more. Instead of following mundane societal status-quos; he allows his voice to be heard in outlets that challenges society. This body of work proves no different. There is no political method or party/agenda that will change society, but through his music he stresses self help and self change can fight the powers the Public Enemy once opposed.
4/5
Album Review
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