Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor

Now this right here was an album that I think was overall pretty quality. And I was especially grateful to Lupe for thanking me personally at timestamp 11:22 in the outro. Shoutouts to you Lupe.

7/10. I thought this was pretty good. The outro was quite excessive, but I can't blame the artist for that because it's not like anyone is forced to listen all the way through it

Good album but imagine if you thought you were friends with Lupe Fiasco and he left you out of the 12 minute shout out outro. That would be devastating. 8/10

I have never in my life put on a Lupe Fiasco track or album. The thought has just never occurred to me. So how come I instantly recognize about half of the songs on this??? It's impressive, because I don't really care for his voice or flow, and the lyrics are often hit or miss (rhyming abortion with deportion…). But that goddamn production is just superb, especially the drums and percussion. The samples fit together seemlessly and add a whole new level to the music with influences from Latin to prog. Impressive. So I guess I really dig this one - in spite of Lupe Fiasco.

I’ve spent years underestimating Lupe Fiasco. His music is so much more conscious and clever than the floating Nintendo DS on the album cover leads one to believe. The lyrics are strong, the beats fresh and Fiasco himself delivers some great bars even when the hooks occasionally leave something to be desired.

Not for me. It’s well made. Just too pop/kanye. Meh. Stopped after 3 or 4 songs.

A couple of nice songs. A couple of confusing gangster songs. A couple tweeners and a bunch that sounded the same. What a Lupe Fiasco.

I veered between hating this and quite liking some of the tunes, samples, vocals. Overall, not for me. But I'm bumping it up to a 3 due to the lovely Daydreamin'

Olinpas unohtanut tämän artistin! Alku on lupaava, biitit hyvät. Lyriikoissa jotain kendrickmaista mut kilttiä. Kick, push on tosi hyvä! Muuten petyin, tylsistyin, etenkin pituuteen. Monipuolisuutta ja koukkua lisää, pliis.

Reaktioni liikkuu akselilla ärtymys-hyväksyntä-nautinto. Levyn sointi on paisunut ja perustasollaan hieman juustoinen (huom. paljon kuunneltu Daydreaming), mutta biitti toisensa jälkeen artisti voittaa minut puolelleen musiikillisella ideointikyvyllään (huom. paljon kuunneltu Kick, Push).

Enjoyed the second listen more than the first. Fiasco’s cadence is relatively monotone, but the lyrics and the message are good. I might revisit this at a later date, 3/5 for now

Not my style at all.

"The instrumental" and hey "say she say" my favorite tracks on this album, "hurt me soul" and "kick, push" all the other songs were good but didn't stand out as much imo

Warrants the rating just from Kick, Push imo, love that song. The rest is pretty good too. Shame that Kanye tainted it with his future (ie, present) Nazism, but I highly doubt Lupe saw that one coming.

Un son très similaire à ce que faisait Kanye West à la même époque. Reste du hip hop très pop et convenu.

Hip-hop político. Un 4.

Bastante rollo. Le pongo un 3 porque la portada es chula.

I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did ! 3*

It was alright actually.

It was fine? Again the complaint I have so often is the album is too damn long. Like the last track is 12 minutes long and just thanking names. Neat but god is it way too long. Could have cut 30 minutes and made it a stellar album.

I feared worse

Bastante rollo. Le pongo un 3 porque la portada es chula.

Very good Hip Hop album.

I really liked this album. There were a couple songs i already knew but most of it was new. This is the style of hip hop I am most familiar with and it was a fun listen.

I enjoyed. But it didn't quite stick.

Not as bad as I thought it was gonna be, but still not really my genre

One of the better hip hop albums I’ve had on this list, I gotta admit. But man, hip hip gets tiring so goddamn quickly. This had some cool moments but the songs just drag on and on because of the repetitive nature of the music.

Honestly never thought I would come across a Lupe Fiasco album on this list. Lupe Fiasco's "Food & Liquor," released in 2006, is a thought-provoking and socially conscious hip-hop gem. The album showcases Lupe's intricate lyrical prowess and storytelling ability. Tracks like "Kick, Push" and "The Cool" delve into themes of urban life, personal struggles, and societal issues. The production combines both classic and innovative hip-hop elements, creating a distinctive sonic landscape. "Food & Liquor" is a lyrically dense and emotionally charged journey, making it a standout in the mid-2000s hip-hop scene. Unsure why the 12 min outro was necessary so I'm docking stars for that

Still an great album, the vibe hasn't changed since it came out

Upbeat, breezy and fun, but still socially conscious. I particularly liked the orchestral (synth) instrumentation. One of the most enjoyable hip hop albums I've listened to. Yet another sample or interpolation of 'Daydream In Blue". Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Daydreamin' Date listened: 01/11/23

3.32 average per track. Wish I could have excluded intro and outro because they brought the average down and the rest of the tracks are quite good.

Pretty good, ikke noe veldig spesielt men var ingen sanger som var dårlig heller, bare litt generisk kanskje.

Excellent. Really enjoyed the entire thing.

4.3

Mais um de rap.

r/iamverysmart

Rating: 10/10

Un álbum sumamente influyente, que creó un estilo de Hip-Hop que dominó los tabloides norteamericanos hacia finales de los 2000s y principio de los 2010s. Aun así, este disco es una pieza de época; envejeció sumamente mal salvo algunas pistas del LP, con decisiones artísticas que se ven muy ridículas a través de los lentes de hoy en día.

Un álbum sumamente influyente, que creó un estilo de Hip-Hop que dominó los tabloides norteamericanos hacia finales de los 2000s y principio de los 2010s. Aun así, este disco es una pieza de época; envejeció sumamente mal salvo algunas pistas del LP, con decisiones artísticas que se ven muy ridículas a través de los lentes de hoy en día.

1. Intricate Lyricism: Lupe Fiasco's lyricism on "Food & Liquor" is nothing short of remarkable. He showcases an exceptional command of language and a penchant for intricate wordplay. He effortlessly weaves complex metaphors and vivid storytelling into his verses. Tracks like "Kick, Push" and "American Terrorist" are prime examples of his lyrical prowess. 2. Social Commentary: The album is notable for its thought-provoking social and political commentary. Lupe addresses a wide range of topics, from the struggles of the African American community in songs like "Hurt Me Soul" to broader issues of American society and global politics in tracks like "American Terrorist." His ability to combine storytelling with deep insight sets "Food & Liquor" apart. 3. Conceptual Cohesion: The album demonstrates a strong sense of conceptual cohesion. It explores themes of duality, the struggle for identity, and the contrast between good and evil, symbolized by the references to "food" and "liquor" in the title. This thematic consistency makes for a satisfying listening experience. 4. Diverse Production: The production on "Food & Liquor" is both diverse and impressive. Producers like Kanye West, The Neptunes, and Soundtrakk contribute to the album's eclectic sound. From the jazzy and soulful beats of "Daydreamin'" to the gritty and energetic production on "I Gotcha," the instrumentals complement Lupe's lyrics effectively. 5. Unique Storytelling: Lupe Fiasco is a master storyteller, and this skill shines through in tracks like "The Cool" and "He Say She Say." He creates vivid, emotionally resonant narratives that draw the listener into the lives of the characters he portrays. 6. Memorable Tracks: "Food & Liquor" is packed with memorable tracks. "Kick, Push," an ode to skateboarding and love, is a standout single, as is "Daydreamin'" featuring Jill Scott. "The Cool" and "American Terrorist" are other tracks that leave a lasting impression. 7. Thoughtful Features: The album features collaborations with artists like Jay-Z and Jill Scott, who enhance the project's overall quality and message. 8. Impact and Legacy: "Food & Liquor" is often cited as one of the most influential rap albums of the 2000s. It introduced Lupe Fiasco as a socially conscious and intellectually stimulating rapper, inspiring a generation of artists to embrace storytelling and lyricism. 9. Criticism: While the album received widespread acclaim, some critics argued that it was too dense and intellectual for mainstream audiences. However, this complexity is also what makes it a timeless classic for fans of conscious hip-hop. In conclusion, "Food & Liquor" is a masterpiece of hip-hop artistry. Lupe Fiasco's intelligent and intricate lyricism, combined with the album's conceptual cohesion, social commentary, and diverse production, make it a landmark release in the genre. It continues to be celebrated as a vital contribution to hip-hop's legacy and is a must-listen for anyone appreciating the fusion of thought-provoking lyricism and innovative production in rap music.

Great album.

Actually incredible album favorite was kick push 1 and 2

Wow, I really liked this. Well written, thoughtful lyrics. Good shit here. Would def listen again.

Meh rap album.

I remember when Lupe blew up but I never really gave his records a chance. Wow I was missing out on a lot. What a strong debut album. First of all, the production is crazy. Second, almost all the tracks are strong, except for the super long and obnoxious outro track. I'll give that one a pass because it was certainly a product of the times. The main highlight for me was "Kick, Push". As a skater kid growing up, this one hits home incredibly hard and might be one of my favorite tracks right now. Very impressed.

I didn't feel it.

Nice, good songs. Bad outro.

not really for me, liked some of it

Only a 2 because there are probably worse rap albums out there

Very solid hip hop album. I'm surprised I haven't really heard of the artist before

Really great. Surprisingly good for something from 2006

Dansons sur la tombe du gangsta rap

la cover il a trop abusé

Making the poetry rap connection explicit. Sounds are slightly outdated but it’s ultimately sweet and heartfelt. Not for me!

Die Platte sollte 'Kanye rap and soundalike fiasco' heißen. Unnötig.

Not good, not terrible

Very good beats. Proper music

I usually don't enjoy hip-hop and the intro had me worried, but the rest of the album was catchy and groovy. Pretty enjoyable!

Lupe is an accomplished student of rap. He has the lyricism and technique of his idols. He just lacks personality as a rapper. Just like J Cole he can imitate the greats but it just feels like a pale afterthought. There is no acuity, no urgency, no boundary pushing. Food & liquor has the production values of a Kanye album but it lacks the rewards. I really like the self referential world of hip hop, but some artists are *just* references. Lupes from the generation who grew up on rap, forming their whole persona. This makes him feel like an echo of the 20 years of rap that came before his debut. Sometimes Lupe successfully transforms that echo into fresh point of view, but oftentimes he comes off as an amalgamation of his inspirations. Who is to blame him though, aren’t we all?

Pristine work of art. Not a mediocre track on the album.

Rapzao tri massa com instrumental diferenciado, groovezao

I thought the production on this was great. I nearly went with a 4* but then he ruined it with Outro, so it's a 3

I was not aware of Lupe Fiasco, and this album is entirely fresh stuff for me. I was initially surprised by the heavy partners they have for his first issue, and the songs were unknown to me. I was truly surprised by the quality of this album. If I got it correctly, reading Wikipedia and some news about Lupe, he is involved with some very problematic opinions, which is sad since his work is excellent even in this debut album. The production is perfect (the Jay-Z and Kanye names in the credits indicate the reason, of course), and the lyrics and voice work. Excellent sample selection and the amazing job that, unfortunately, is now marked forever by Lupe public person. I'm happy to see this album on the 1001 list, and I think that is the first post-90 hip-hop album that really catches up with me.

Not my jam

I have nothing to say

I like Lupe Fiasco. He brought something fresh and enjoyable to hip hop, avoiding the trap of rapping about b*tches and bulls*it, although failing to avoid the hip hop trap of an overlong album stuffed with filler. But Lupe has a nice flow and feels an heir to De La Soul, Talib Kwali and Mos Def.

first listen super solid record

Pretty generic album. It's not bad but I don't see why it is on this list

Very chill hip hop album. Had listened to this before back when it came out and wasn't a huge fan. Not that it's bad, just didn't connect with it. Listening again now gave me some added appreciation. Kick/Push is a classic we used to warm up to in theater class in high school. I did dig the long outro too, very cool he did one of those.

Whoa, wasn't expecting to see Lupe on here. Lupe Fiasco is a really talented rapper, frequently underrated and left out of conversations that he should be in. I'm not sure what it is, he's a great lyricist and makes great albums, but something holds him back from being widely considered one of the greats (though many do put him up there). This album has "Kick, Push," which was my first exposure to him back in middle school or something. A cool skater anthem, that I'm not even sure is about skating. Regardless, great album. Lots to enjoy here. Favorite tracks: Kick Push, Sunshine, Pressure, The Cool, The Instrumental, Hurt Me Soul. Album art: Pretty cool but also pretty weird. Lupe floating in space, surrounded by technology and the trappings of consumerism? Very of the era if you ask me, so not exactly timeless but it's a cool image. 4/5

Bit of a left-field choice for this list, but it's certainly more enjoyable than many of the albums I've had to power through to get here. 3 skateboards out of 5 🛹🛹🛹

Wasn't as good as I remember but still a solid album.

Riding the line between a 3 and a 4. It’s just all a bit too epic and cinematic for me, ChiTown/post Kanye production I guess. The lyrics and flow are cool, always loved Kick Push (as a skater). And I feel the core concept is a bit daft - like, there’s bad food and and Liquor is pretty great some times?

Just a towering achievement

There's a lot to like here, production wise, lyrically, musically and of course a great band name. Reckon this will get a few summer plays, it's a keeper.

Wasn't too sure what I'd think about this one going into it. However, I found myself enjoying this quite a lot, and I ended up recognising a couple of songs. It had some great instrumentation and impeccable flow, and everything came together to make a record that was a funky, groovy vibe. There's some really good storytelling and social commentary here too! Mm, just a really good 00's rap album. Favourite: Kick, Push

-Didn’t write a BL- AL: Food & Liquor is a compelling socially conscious rap album from a creative and lyrical MC. Highly recommend a listen for any fans of golden era lyrical and socially conscious hip hop. FT: “Kick, Push” 4/5

Very very good but the sounds were just too much at times? Not sure how to describe it. Just a lot of orchestral at once

Pleasant hip-hop... Technically very well done. Avoided gratuitous use of vulgar language/ used sparingly

-1 for ham soccer

Some of this reminds me a little bit of early Pharrell Williams / NERD.

Nope

Decent. Not a huge fan of rap of the era. 3/5

Somehow I actually knew some of these songs. Overall it was a pretty good experience, it didn't blow me away. 3 seems to low. 4 seems too high but 3.5 ain't an option l.

Really solid.

Enjoyed it. Not my bag but was pretty decent

This is not my style of music... but I don't hate it. I don't understand why he needs to insert his moniker in every song though.

Decent. Kick / Push is a tune

Pretty cringe

Enpä ollut tästä ennen kuullut. Lepposia biittejä ja oli kevy kuunnella.

Viihdyttävää räppiä kaikin puolin

Wow. Knew absolutely nothing about LF before I began listening. This isn't what I was expecting and was pleasantly surprised. First of all, LF is not a femme. Currently working on a second listen to pickup some of the hidden gems. Has plenty of energy, it's musically diverse and captured my attention all the way through.

Hot take: Lupe Fiasco > Kanye West I mean, not even now after West's continuous descent. When they were both breaking in during the mid 2000s, and comparing their debut albums, Fiasco was better. I think West's early work is really good. But "Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor" is a top notch alternative hip hop album. I wasn't really listening to hip hop much at the time though, and despite hearing and enjoying "Kick, Push," I never listened to the whole album. The whole thing is consistently amazing. I recognized "Daydreamin'," and while that stood out, there were so many tracks nearly it's equal. I now wish I had listened to more Lupe Fiasco, and am hopeful that his later career kept up these heights. I did learn in reading about his work that he worked with the Neptunes, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, on "I Gotcha." As far as I can tell, the Neptunes produced songs on a few 1001 albums, but none of their albums as the Neptunes or N.E.R.D. or Pharrell's solo albums made the list. That's probably to be expected, but their role as hitmaking producers over the last 2 1/2 decades deserves to be recognized. I had no idea that their big breakthrough was writing Teddy Riley's Riley's verse on Wreckx-n-Effect's 1992 hit "Rump Shaker!"

This is a refreshing hip hop album. On first listen, I thought he was rapping about b*tches and h*es like many other “gangstas.” But of course when listening closer the second time, Lupe is rapping counter to that sector of hip hop. The drama is palpable when strings are present. My favorite song is Daydreamin’. It turns out Lupe was forced to put it on the album by a record company exec. He won a Grammy for it, but receives no royalties.

A really good hiphop album.

It's good rap, quite indebted to its time and place but that's not necessarily a bad thing. You can feel the indirect (and sometimes direct, given the credits) influence of Kanye and Jay-Z all over this. And the socially conscious lyrics here and there can't hurt. I've browsed through the rest of Lupe Fiasco's discography, by the way, and it was interesting. It seems like there are two threads alternating during his close-to-twenty years career. One where he panders to the rap trends of the day, with a few good results overall, but also others that won't age very well, you can bet your boots on that! And one that's more experimental and leftfield, which sounds far more promising in the long run. In a way, you can find the origin point of those two trends in this debut album. Older boom bap alternates with soul-flavored Kanye shenanigans and other lush, glossy Jay-Z stylings typical of the naughts. It's the sort of "either/or" dynamic that is to be found in the rest of the rapper's discography. These days, Lupe goes from a jazzy and electronica-tinged style to a trap sound that sounds a little opportunistic, and probably less relevant that what the true originators of this subgenre have released over the recent years. Once again this situation can produce results that can either hold water or tread it, no matter what style is used on a given moment. And this sort of dynamic points to the only real issue I have with the American rapper: a relative lack of *identity*, often preventing the listener to fully invest in his music. It's only *one* issue, yet it's still a major one when it comes to "essential" music. And this issue can already be felt in Lupe's debut here. Which is why I will put the latter in my "waiting list". Besides, who knows? Maybe some later album of his can come up sounding more "relevant" if I dig further into them? As a consequence, my grade for *Food And Liquor* is 3/5 for the purposes of this app. Which translates to a 8/10 grade for more general purposes (5+3). Next, please. Number of albums left to review: 513 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 232 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 113 (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 141

According to my stats I listened to this 3 times in 2011 and never since. I'm guessing there's gonna be a heap more hip hop in this generator, hope more of it is like this

Of its age... essentially has 2 intros, the terrible outro, attempts to sing without a singing voice (-1*). Also, luxurious beats, really lovely production, decent lyrics, a few real bangers (kick push 1 and 2, daydreamin', etc).

Still sounds as new and revolutionary as it did back then. Top class lyricism, flow, storytelling, impeccable production and guest musicians.

Very reminiscent of Kanye, like a mini version, going in the same direction, just not quite as good. But on its own it's still a good enjoyable album but just a bit too long and lacking maybe one or two standout songs for 4 stars

Let's see, the only track I liked (Daydreamin) was a cover of a cover which covered a cover (no joke, look it up). The rest are so generic and cliche'd as to be indistinguishable from thousands of other songs in this genre. It goes to prove you can fool a hell of a lot of people most of the time and get away with it. This guy is a businessman.

Fair. Probably easier to listen to than some rap Not my thing

This album has a Real nostalgic place in my heart. I listened to it a lot back in my teenage years. Blasting it while playing Need for Speed Underground 2. There are some peak '00's poppy hip hop bangers on this album. The production is really of its time and at the same time still fresh over 15 years later. The hooks and choruses are so catchy and forever imprinted in my mind.

Fantastic album covering Lupe's youth. Loved it to bits

Better than expected. Still not my cup of tea. Good for what it is. Standout: Daydreaming 2.5

Very good

Didn't expect to enjoy this but I was pleasantly surprised

I think this is one of those times where the album would be more highly rated if it weren't background music to my working and was a dedicated listen instead

Enjoyed this more than I expected to

Solid rap album

Pretty good album. A few really good tracks, and none that are awful.

Good album, kick push a classic

This kind of lush hip hop with fast paced and intricate lyrics is a side of the genre I hadn't gotten into much. It's very good, and interesting.

Loupé Fiasco avait tendu le baton pour se faire battre avec un nom pareil, il n'en sera rien. Un véritable régal pour les oreilles est cet album de rap à la pochette d'un mauvais goût inégalable.

Comme prévu, Lupe Fiasco vient ici nous prouver qu'il est un rappeur moyen, n'en déplaise au malade robpissaladière.

Heck of a debut - great songs, fresh perspective, big time collaborators. Too long though.

I must admit, I missed this one when it came out, as I was losing touch with hip hop at the time, but that was a mistake. I rather enjoyed this. That outro was kind of ridiculous though. Guess you can't say he isn't grateful. Fave track: "Pressure" w/ Jay Z Skips: "The Instrumental" w/ Jonah Matranga

Lupe Fiasco was heralded in my college years as one of the more "conscience hip hop" artists, but that was mostly with his next album. This one definitely has a Kanye-style production/epicness around it. I will give him credit for his general deliberate choices to focus on "the issues" which I think is where hip-hop has its most power; talking politic. That said, it's good but feels too produced for my tastes. Just not my style. Strong debut though.

Vähän tuommoista mahtipontista hiphoppia JayZ/Kanye tyyliä, mutta oli hyviäkin kappaleita. Kick, Push ja The Instrumental parhaimmat, Daydreaming oli ennestään tuttu. Lopussa vähän outo 12 minuutin outro missä lupe kiittää ihan kaikkia, mutta sekin kuunneltu kokonaan

Thought I wouldn't like this and it is a little overproduced and has features of the worst of modern hip hop (no tine changes, sample after sample after sample) however it's a fresh sound. 3

Somehow this passed me by at the time, but it's good. Very much in the Kanye West mold, which is no bad thing - I might be wrong, but it seems like West helped hip-hop break out of its gun-totin' misogyny and become more tender and inward-facing. "He Say, She Say" is heartbreaking, while "Daydreamin'" takes a sharp satirical knife to hip-hop culture.

10/10 no notes needed, a trip down memory lane and just an absolutely incredible album.

Honestly I enjoyed it, which is saying something given my history with rap. Kick, Push and Kick, Push II were both fantastic. My main complaint was the length of the album. By the end, I was checking my phone and bemoaning that there was so much left.

et saatana ei ole aikaa olen niin suatanan myöhässä KAIKKI TURHAT PUHESKELUT SKIPATAAN.. SKIP..NEXT... noniin ja sitten albumista sen verran sanon tota erittäin aikakautensa kuuloinen. eli aivan mid middle, middle of the pack type beats... r ja b dingsbums...tylsää siis, pistä rohkeasti esimerkiksi rubab rabab lickki keskellä biisiä miksi ei. sanompa vaan sen verran. daydreamin heh parasta biisiä kuuluisasta, kuuluisasti cover biisi ei kukaan luule original teokseksi heh......

3.5

It was a good 2006 rap album. Not great, but better than Fiddy or Asher Roth, for example. Not sure why it's here - suspect that future editions will replace it.

I just can't stand to listen to this, it's awful. I don't like rap and the more I hear of it, the less I like it.

not bad.

this grew on me. im surprised i'd never took the time to listen to this. for some reason lupe has just never been my favorite. i've liked some songs, i've liked some verses, but could never get with him totally. i still feel the same after this, but i did add quite a few songs to playlists so that's something!

Also this one was removed from the latest editions of the book. 3.5/5

Kind of a strange decision to include the debut for an artist that found his full voice later and spent half of this one trying to be Jay-Z. Drogas Wave should have been on this list instead. Best track: Daydreamin'

This is actually a cohesive album. The first two tracks are relatively unnecessary, but it's not bad.

epico

Interesting sounds and really boring lyrics. Yesterday's album was a British group from the '80s with exactly the same problem. Socially conscious but lacking any imagery or imagination. Pity, because he sounds OK. 4 tracks later. Attention starting to wander because it is hip-hop. I need songs, not talks. There is a lack of light and shade when someone keeps talking over a beat.

You may know Lupe Fiasco from his guest verse on Kanye West's hit single Touch the Sky. I like that song. Despite this album's bombastic first few tracks, the album doesn't really kick in until the track Kick, Push, which has a jazzy boom-bap beat that Fiasco effortlessly floats on. His lyrics are very socially-conscious, which feels like a growing trend in the early 2000s as a reaction to the more violent hip hop of the 90s (and perhaps the violence of 9/11). I think this is mostly corny. The production is fine, it's just Fiasco's whole vibe that kills any of my interest. On top of being overly long, dated, and corny, the outro is effectively a waste of time. Few albums attempt to aim for grandiose and epic reputation, only to end up falling so short. I can only shrug.

Whoa. I was not in the mood for a generic hip hop album today - and so I braced myself when the first tracks hit - but when ‘Kick, Push’ came up not only did I realise I was not listening to your average ‘guns, cars and ho’s’ hip hop album but a true delight of a record. The Jay-Z sound puts it squarely in a good mood place and every track is impeccably produced - and Lupe rhymes with gusto and panache from start the finish - loved this one and what a pleasant surprise. And can’t commend enough a hip hop track that rallies against misogyny in the genre.

Very middle of the road.

I don’t know. It was too lengthy for sure for such a similar sounding album throughout. At first I was intrigued but then it just kind of sounded similar to other artists and it got boring. It was interesting but 🤷‍♀️.

I don't know ... it's definitely ambitious, I'll give him that. Dense; there's a lot going on. I just don't *like* it, and I can't exactly pinpoint all of the reasons but the hefty share of the blame goes to his flow - there's an Eminem kind of vibe to his verses of whom i'm definitely not a fan at all. Monotone with jamming a lot of words in - might be a 90s hiphop thing/style? Weird - there's almost so much trying to go on, with too many words...the whole thing was just boring boring boring. I could see how or why people like it but i've been introduced to so much great hiphop through this 1001 and this one is just not my thing at all and was a struggle to finish. 3/10 2 stars.

Album 39 of 1001 Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor Favorite Track : He Say She Say, Real, Daydreamin' Rating : 4 / 5 I wasn't supposed to like this, but I did. I enjoyed it immensely. A reminder of why I'm doing this.

Oh, this is good. I enjoyed this album, and I'd not heard of the artist or any of his music before. Really well done. Superb groove, great delivery of the lyrics, and I am glad I've been introduced to this record. Nicely done, 1001 Albums Project.

3.7 - It’s ok, it’s pretty good. The spitting isn’t what’s exceptional so much as Lupe Fiasco’s unique worldview. He presents himself as a devout black Muslim growing up in Chicago, and his mindset represents that upbringing completely. He speaks with wisdom about all that is haram, more as a man who’s managed to largely steer clear of those vices rather than as a dabbler-turned-evangelist. Lots of nods to Kanye-style production - fat, blingy beats. LF’s flow is clear and his message resonant. He only stumbles when he tries to “sing-rap” - he obviously is not much of a singer. “Outro” is one delirious ejaculation of shout-outs, the likes of which I’ve never heard before. See also “Daydreamin’”

"Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor" is the debut album by American rapper Lupe Fiasco. No less than eleven people produce including Jay-Z, Prolific, Soundtrack and The Neptunes. Categorized as hop hop and conscious hip hip, lyrics deal with poverty, Islam, terrorism, poverty and individuality. This is all done in an uplifting way. The album received four Grammy nominations winning one in Best Urban/Alternative Performance for "Daydreamin'." "Intro" starts in spoken word as Lupe's sister, I believe, describes the food (good) & liquor (bad) stores in Chicago. God. Islam. Strings goes to a beat. The second song "Real" adds backing vocals by Sarah Green as Lupe describes making music he doesn't have to be ashamed of. A nice sample of Harvey Mason's 1981 "How Does It Feel." Speaking of samples. The first single "Kick, Push" opens with a "Bolero Melody" sample by Celeste Legaspi. Heavy strings. Lupe's love for skateboarding and, in general, being criticized for doing what he loves. "Kick-Push-Kick-Coast." The second single "I Gotcha" has some great peppy piano, synth and production by The Neptunes. Describing himself and his rap style...Lupe's got cha. "Daydreamin" samples a cover "Daydream in Blue" by I Monster. A middle-eastern beat. Soulful. An adventure though the eye of a robot critiquing hip hop. An original, busy song. The originality continues in "American Terrorist." Jazzy. More Middle Eastern music. Matthew Santos guests and there's a Latin flair. Misconceptions of Islam in America and racism and gang culture. Lupe covers a lot of topics and it's done in more of a poppy and life affirming way. I think the use of strings and production give it that feel. Nice use of backing vocals and guests. Solid rapping. Definitely worth a listen.

Not for me, daydream is just a rip off, not so much a sample, as nicking daydream in blue. Not a fan of this sort of rap, yee-ah. Uh. Sounds quite creative though and I can see why fans of this genre are fans. I prefer it to anything Ye has done. Uh huh. Ye uh. Some of them have a cool groove like, Kick, push II. Also... It's too long. Not the most unpleasant listen, but not something I'll be reaching for again.

Alright we're just making up albums now. You can't convince me this existed before this exact moment. This album generator is a psyop - wake up sheeple. Objectively a "cool as fuck" record, but I am begging hip hop artists to shorten their albums. I will be returning to some of the songs here, like "Daydreamin'" (banger), but a big part of it is filler. Near the beginning especially - a rare phenomenon where the second half is better than the first. Also very cool of him to personally give a shoutout to every single person who has ever existed on planet Earth in that final song, very cool. Very glad I listened to the entire 12 minutes of that. Shoutouts to the western diamondback rattlesnake I ran over on the lunar eclipse of November 9th 2003 near Las Vegas strip. Rest in peace, bless his family.

Most of this album is really boring, especially the introduction. Some of the beats are okay, but really, who would buy this album?

pretty confident in saying that this is my favorite rap album i’ve ever listened to

The deluxe version of this thing came out as a fifth anniversary edition, telling you all you need to know about the suspension of disbelief necessary. Lupe earns it fairly, backed up by a stupendous producing cast, covering all sorts of ground with a voice that remains unique. Plenty is immediately moving, but the vision is always broader than that, always pushing what could possibly fit on an LP. The outro is particularly bizarre formally, but always brackets the listen well.

Some good songs on here, and good production, but it's not something I'd listen to again. Which is surprising, because I thought it would fall into the bucket of hip hop I usually like.

This one was an interesting one. It was pretty long, but I didn't really begin to feel that until the last couple songs, mainly the outro. I liked the beats more than I expected to and I quite liked the flow. The songs had interesting ideas that made me like the album more than a usual rap album. The outro was, while long, a cool idea and funny at times as well. It was basically movie credits, but for an album. I'd say it's a light four, but that's pretty good considering I don't really like rap. My favourite songs were American Terrorist and Kick, Push.

classic Lupe album.

Veig que després de la primera edició del llibre, a les següents actualitzacions continuaven insistint amb discrets discos de hip hop, vulgars "un de tants" amb producció molt de l'época i un gust per buscar melodies properes al pop. Prescindible

Nearly breaks into low-3 territory with some inspired beatmaking here and there, but the lyricism just drags it so far down. The gratuitous 12-minute one-loop ‘outro’ (if you can call it that) is perhaps the most egregiously bad and self-indulgent/narcissistic thing I’ve heard on the list so far.

It's OK to judge this album by its cover. Then you even have to bother listening.

I almost loved this. I WANTED to love this. I tried REALLY HARD to love this. But I didn't. It's got too much Jay-Z stank on it. Too much "Uh. Yeeah. Heh." and bars repeated ad-nauseam. The production is all glitter and sparkles and J.J. Abrams lens flares. All the slick shine and over-stylized vocal hypes hide the quality of the content. Which, if you strip it all away, would be really REALLY solid. I want this same album but spit raw with the energy of a street cypher. I want more of what I heard from Ayesha Jaco in the intro track and less of Lupe trying to mimic Jay Z and Kanye. I want what I can tell is there but remains hidden. Passion. Skill. Heart. I was so disappointed by this one. It had so much promise.

20.04.23. Не люблю рэп, но этот альбом получился весьма приятным и изобретательным.

The whole album is just a good vibing flow.

This is an album I’ve been meaning to get around to as I’ve heard be referred to as an underrated ‘classic’. Also, since I’m a fan of Lupe’s newer releases I had high hopes for this record and for the most part they delivered. Firstly, I love how this album is presented, it’s more of an introduction to Lupe, as this is his debut album, which makes sense and is evident by the use of an intro and outro where Lupe introduces himself and also thanks everyone that helped/inspired him at the end. This means that within the album there’s not a lot of diversion in quality, there are definitely some stand out tracks, ‘Kick, Push’ definitely being one which tells of a young kid going out and skating all day, being moved from place to place as security tells him he can’t skate round here, he meets a girl who also skates on the way. It’s a perfect skating song filled with trumpets and smooth strings in the back, definitely a key moment. However, the quality of tracks doesn’t change from here, for example, ‘The Instrumental’ speaks on the rise of technology and how young kids are fixated on screens, more specifically TV, and what it tells them. The track is led by some groovy drums which really brings out Lupe’s rhyme scheme which is just fantastic. Another track is ‘Daydreamin’ where Lupe raps about his home town Chicago and also dreams about classic hip hop videos, the track is beautifully paired with a hook by Jill Scott who is also layered into the song later on into the track, a brilliant addition to the track. My favourite track, the stand out to me, is ‘He Say She Say’ which looks at the departure of a father from a family from 2 perspectives, first the mother of a child who complains to the father about how he’s not there for his son. The 2nd verse is almost a copy but from the son’s perspective which brought me to tears it’s a really honest performance from Lupe. I’d also like to mention the features on this record, for the most part they’re usually singing features which are great to add a bit of R&B/Soul to the tracks, especially on the hooks. Whereas the only rap feature is Jay-Z on ‘Pressure’ where he has a confident verse on the back end, definitely a stand out moment. I really really want to give this record 5 stars, there’s just so many quality tracks and I absolutely love the variety of content that is contained within these tracks however there’s just something missing for me, it’s a great record but it’s not perfect and with a run time of 1 hour and 12 mins I’m not sure I can justify 5 stars. Nevertheless this is an album I can say I really enjoyed and it will be something I return to.

An instant classic from an MC who just can’t miss. Check out his album Tetsuo & Youth for a bonafide hip hop masterpiece.

I simply don't enjoy rap in general and Lupe Fiasco is no exception. I managed to listen to about half of the songs halfway through and the one and only thing I enjoyed were the samples on Daydreamin'. That just isn't enough.

Not Jeremy music, and that's OK

This is my first time listening and it's not bad. I like my hip-hop a little grittier. The production seems a little too clean, almost sterile. 5/10

Cat: I really like how they sampled music and the beat they matched them with. He’s a talented guy. I liked Kick, Push, Daydreamin, Hurt Me Soul and Pressure. Good lyrics, paints a picture. Not my favorite but it’s good! He talks about not being into the standard hip hop message. I liked how he did his thank yous as a track. Not gonna listen to it but that’s nice. AJ: Feel like the last person who should have something to say about a hip hop record, but here goes. Really dig the music and sounds. Really dig that he seems to have something to say about things he should have something to say. Smart kid. I can hear what he saying. Is Jay-Z the goat? Every time I hear him I get excited. Feel like if Jay is hanging then we should be too. Skateboard track was really cool. Storyteller. The imagery in Daydreaming had me slowing down to feel the sunshine. The Instrumental was on a video game I played a lot, probably knew every word at one point. He’s cool. Not The Cool, but cool.

If "Lupe Fiasco's Food and Liquor" was a restaurant they would serve a well done steak with undercooked fries and old lettuce, paired with a flat beer; unsatisfactory and a total waste of money and time. This is just a total fiasco!

Good beats, good lyrics, good delivery, but for some reason it all sounds boring as hell.

First thought it was boring then I got into it and the beat made it sort of nice background music and then it was boring again

A lot of it flows pretty nicely, but some parts made me feel nervous for some reason. The outro was a very long list I don't have to hear again

Pleasanlty surprised. Tacky album cover lowered my expectations quite a bit but the guy has a pretty nice flow.

Never heard of this guy but the cover looks annoying, omg retro things 'member them? Song titles mostly say "feat. xxx" and that's always a red flag. Guy sounds exactly like Jay Z in places. Music sounds like.... Jay Z. According to Wikipedia, it comes from the Kanyesphere. Goes for over an hour. Better than Kendrick Lamar to be fair, but still just more proof that "black" music genres ran out of ideas in the 90s. 2/5.

My problem with this album isn't that it's rap, which I generally don't care for. But this was the EXACT same vocal track with different music backing. If the music were interesting, then I can live with that (Tupac's "California Love", The Coup, Jurassic 5). However, this was just another album that I could have died happy never having heard.

Good! I liked the songwriting and the instrumentals.

NB

Amaze.

I liked this - the production is great. I don't think I'll listen to it again, though.

I honestly believe this is one of the greats. Lupes eloquent delivery mixed with some sick beats makes this a true masterpiece

I used to think Lupe Fiasco wasn't that great, I still do but I used to too. On further reading I found out he was connected to Jay-z and Kanya West and now I know why it's all the same musically and I'm not re-listening enough to find any pearls of wisdom in the lyrics I doubt were there in the first place.

Not too into rap but there were a couple okay songs. Nothing too stand-out besides "Kick Push".

the kick push song is good, but the rest of it is like kanye, which translates to shit.

All of the worst moments of my life summed up in a mix of shocking beats and lyrics. A disaster that leaps into your face as fast as a gang of nazis diving into your mum's gaping pussy.

Nonce

A decent alt-hip hop pulled straight out of the mid '00s. The album cover full of that nostalgia, with an original Nintendo DS, what looks like an early blackberry phone, CDs and wearing some Chuck Taylor Converses brings me right back. With themes of poverty, Islam, terrorism, racism, and individuality, this is one of the great hip-hop albums of the 00s. Although the Outro track was probably a bit self aggrandising, over 12 minutes for what is essentially a thanks track - the album is definitely better off without it, and lowered the score I am giving this album. Best: Kick Push Worst: Outro 2.5 stars

Good stuff.

Not impressed with the cover art. Listening to the first few songs I'm not sure why this is special enough to be on this list. Then I get to Kick, Push, and I'm like, yeah, this is pretty good. But pretty soon I'm back to thinking the album is fine but not exceptional. Then Sunshine and Daydreamin' caught my ear as exceptional. Overall the album sounds great and is easy fun and easy to listen to. I enjoyed it but I'm not blown away. I'm ambivalent about if it belongs on this list. 3.5 rounding down for outro.

Ummmm not my genre as I always say. Bit Kanye influenced. The production is very lush with strings.. his vocal delivery is very meh. Every track starts with a "uh" "all right" The Outro is tiresome.

You can tell a 00s hip-hop album by the intro, the lead single reprise, and the 11-minute outro.

4 stars, groovy and funky, good guest spots

This is another album I remember listening to when I was getting into hip-hop in college. I didn’t listen to it a ton but I was obsessed with “Daydreamin’” and would play it whenever I could. I can see why there was a lot of hype around Lupe Fiasco at the time — he’s got the wordplay of Mos Def and the swagger of Jay-Z. But I don’t know, there’s also something about his flow that I find easy to tune out. I often caught my mind drifting off and not listening closely to the lyrics. Maybe it’s because there aren’t a ton of hooks in his rapping. There are hooks in the chorus or from a sample but not usually from him. (Man, you can feel the difference right away when Jay-Z appears on “Pressure” - he has such a strong presence.) Still, the beats are very good and Lupe Fiasco’s rapping is strong. He’s a smart lyricist and I appreciate that he avoids rap cliches and focuses on storytelling. The album is close to being excellent but just misses the mark. (Jeez, the “Outro” is ridiculous — it’s worse than an Oscars speech. He just lists everyone he knows 😂)

Really clean production. The bass synth in "Intro" is one of the tightest I've heard in this style in a while. I think he's worked with Kanye? I haven't listened much to him but I know that Kanye has said his name before in some songs and track 2, "Real", really sounds like a Kanye track. It's a cool sound and while I really like Kanye's music I don't always like him and maybe Lupe Fiasco can scratch that itch when I get it? It's THAT sound- it's like max volume max energy, in your face hits and slams, samples throughout, etc. "Kick, Push" is so sick. Damn I like this track. "The Instrumental" sounds like a Linkin Park track. This is a 3 for me. Not quite a 4 but I did really enjoy it. I think there could be more diversity in the music behind the vocal parts- it's a very cool sound but it all just sounds a smidge similar for me to appreciate the differences in the tracks.

Lupe…too long my friend

A fun rappy time. Kind of a Will Smith album for the new millennium (in an alternate reality where we aren't living in the Willennium, of course)... I like Lupe's rhymes and I like the perspective of someone a bit different (Chicago Muslim) than a lot of other rappers who are (vaguely) east/west coast christians.

Fresh and energetic and approachable, upbeat and responsible rap. "Kick, Push" and "Daydreamin'" are both great, likable and fun and different. The "food-liquor" dichotomy isn't exactly metaphysically impactful, though the religious and anti-sexism references suggest LF's heart's in the right place (as does the long list of gratitude shout-outs on the last cut [or remix or whatever]). However, creative and elevating it lacks a certain edge and urgency and feels a bit light overall, leaving one to wonder what he's done since.

I listened to this album when I was first getting into hip hop and was really struck by the maximalist production, the socially conscious lyrics, and Lupe's instantly identifiable flow. For the most part, this album holds up. Some of the music and mid-2000s synth sound a bit dated now, but for the most part, I enjoy the diversity of music that Lupe incorporates. The last track really drags the album down, especially after Kick, Push II. As far as I'm concerned, the album should have ended there.

Good stuff!

Kinda felt like a musical

I really like Kick, Push but not the rest.

Very, very good, with lots of light and shade. Some points where it is very funny, some where it is very serious, but overall it easily matches the standard of the big singles he had out. Only track that slightly grates is Outro - basically a list of everyone he has ever met!

Very surprised by this one. Enjoyed the beats and the lyrics. Could have done without the 12 minute outro though.

Completely new to me. Not bad, this. Some of the tracks feel a touch underdeveloped and repetitive, but they don’t detract much from the album. Skip the outro, though. Backing tracks are rich and layered. I’m finding I enjoy the back half of this album more than the first. Guess I like Liquor more than Food. Standout tracks: Daydreamin’, Pressure, American Terrorist 3.25

Never listened to this prior. Not a bad album, just not my preferred cup of tea. Good beats, okay lyrics and flow.

POV cillian murphy watching adrien brody give the longest speech in oscar history

This was the precursor to an era of music that needs to be forgotten to time - 2010 R&B pop. You know who I'm talking about. Usher's Raymond v Raymond album. Taio Cruz with his The Rokstarr Hits Collection. Even Bruno Mars and his Doo-Wops & Hooligans album. All music that has millions upon millions of plays, but is so trashy the garbage man won't even pick it up from the side of the road. This album walked so they could run. But hey at least he made Battle Scars, that song slaps.

He sounds like J Cole’s little brother, but not in a good way. Four songs in and this sounds like any other album from the 2000s that’s better forgotten. “The Instrumental” sounds like a Lincoln Park song. Having finished it I can say there’s not anything special ab this and it was kind of corny, listened to some J Cole after for some good music

so this is an album I love, but not top to bottom. Kick, Push, He Say She Say, Sunshine, Daydreamin’, American Terrorist, and Kick, Push II are all iconic to me. This album holds a special place in my heart, and I’m surprised it was on this list. Maybe there is hope for what’s to come… “My first picture was a lineup” - Jay Z, you performed at a Hillary Clinton campaign rally. Britney Spears has more street cred than you at this point. This outro seriously makes me consider dropping it to a 2. Wow. F*** you Lupe. “Shoutout Xhamster.com. That one vid I found on April 23, 2002 was amazing. I’ve searched for it for so long and still haven’t found it. Much love.”

I've been trying to find that Daydreamin' song glad I finally know what it is

This was ok. His voice and flow are good, but the choruses are often cheesy or don’t fit the rest of the song. It felt like the producer was trying too hard. “Kick, push” doesn’t have that problem and is great; will listen to that again.

Listened Before? N Nahhhhhhhhh. Another post-y2k rapper that is so boring I can't take it. Sounds like Jay-Z wrote the whole thing which would be okay but it's not Jay-Z. I'm good. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Kick, Push

This was way more fun than I was expecting.

No expectations but I quite liked it

This is not my genre, but I actually enjoyed it. Some fun beats and catchy songs.

Hip hop. No está mal .

I only ever heard single from Lupe Fiasco before, this is rather good.

4.0

Een van de betere hiphop albums. Ik deel de mening over veel vulgaire teksten en vrouw onvriendelijkheid ook wel