The greatest rapper of all time that was never the greatest... Anybody that has the nerve to try and denounce what this man once was talent-wise is a fool, simple as that. A young rapper doesn't just come along and get Jay-Z wanting to sign him, turn down his offer with no second thought, then end up having him executive produce AND feature on his debut album.
Matter a fact, it wouldn't have even mattered whether or not the stars had literally aligned or not for Lupe like they did. He still would've been heard, and in a city like Chicago where hip-hop superstars such as Kanye West were reigning supreme, it was destined. All eyes were already on his city. Yes, I understand that Lupe's music isn't for everyone. He literally forces you to pay attention while listening to a song of his. He'll say a line like "It’s hard being a Lupe fan, go to Harvard to be a Lupe Stan" and have you thinking he's just being self-loathing, but that line is so truthful. You simply cannot listen to his songs without being prepared to think and analyze his verses bar for bar after first listen. This is exactly why he's my favorite rapper of all time. In an era of hip-hop music where dumbing it down is so of the norm, and almost every song you hear is literally for the moment and temporary, artists like Lupe are extremely appreciated by someone like myself. It's sad, because you'll always come across the majority that will look at a lyricist such as him and say he's "boring" all because he isn't rapping a dumbed down verse or chorus. Realness isn't for everybody, nor should it be expected from many... Mr. Fiasco's 5th studio album releases on January 10, 2015 via Atlantic Records. Below is the official cover art.
His visual is forever vivid.
