Lupe Fiaco - Lasers

This is indeed a FIASCO! I had been seeing the chatter on the internets about how bad this album was. But as a true listener, student of music and fan of Lu I purchase Lasers ( I mean it's called Lasers -- that's a kick ass title.) The build up was epic. His fans rally for him get a petition signed for the label to let him release music. A few days go pass and Lupe takes a photo with a person from the label as if things are good to go.

The single comes out --- "The Show Goes On" produced by Kane beats. COOL! Dope message in the lyrics the beat is more bells and whistles then I'm used to from Lu but is nice. Another song hits the net. "Words I Should've Said" ILL!! Tells why he didn't vote for Obama and a host of other issues --- its deep! So now I'm listening to the album and its pretty bad. Trey Songz?? I fuck with Trigga and they are label mates and what have you but this is just wrong. The lyrics aren't bad the beat isn't bad it's just a bad combination ( sorry Street). And unfortunately the whole album pretty much plays this way. Very bad mixes of odd beats to good lyrics.

But where this really falls short are the songs that are very forced. These songs sound like reference tracks for another artist. Not Lupe though. I mean this is just bizarre. I am not all the way mad at him though. The machine needs its money and it's stars and he still pretty much said fuck the label on a couple tracks on the album so you can feel where he is coming from. This is one of those Prince, SLAVE on the face moments. Hopefully Lu can bounce back and make another classic with producers that we the fans have actually heard of and songs that we and Lupe actually enjoy.

LOSERS

DRAG

Mall Stalkers

Scenario....your walking in the mall (which by itself is a pain) in the distance you see some dude with a CD player (wtf ?? get an Ipod dude) and you start thinking how do avoid this dude. But you have to go past there....and here it comes...."excuse me....do you listen to rap (and/or) r&b???" Geez homie really?? Listen, its many avenues to get your music out, and the mall is not one of them. Its almost like homeless dudes on the street, its kinda ridiculous. I was in Lexington Market and this dude asked me do I listen to rap?? Really. Im bout to get a corned beef sandwich homie fall back! Im not gonna buy your Cd and Im not gonna remember you...Im only gonna remember the situation and have a jolly laugh with my friends about it. Most of the ppl that do this foolishness don't have enuff business sense to make a notch in your memory. Here's the usual...CD cover?? no....On the CD its the artists name and title written in marker (geez) .... Got a business card? no....But I have a myspace..yeah and so do 10 year olds so what...

Can I Ak You A Question?

DRAG

Best Rap CD's of 2008

Honestly I don't remember too many CD's of '08. I don't know if there just weren't alot of CD's or if they just weren't any good.

Young Jeezy's 3rd Album "The Recession." was probably the best rap album to me. Jeezy who has always been criticized for his lack of lyrically dexterity came out swinging on the entire CD. It was graceful, it was intense, and it was real. He maintained his "everyman" image. He still is a brand for the streets and still goes hard.

Lil Wayne's album " The Carter III" boasted big name producers and guest stars. But you know what...I miss Manny Fresh. It's crazy that I can listen to the Carter I and II and honestly say that those are better than The Carter III. While this album moved plenty of units and solidified Wanye as a rap superstar it did nothing for the fans that were riding with him since day one. The feature verses that he did throughout the last 2 years were better than the majority of the content on this album. But hey "long hair don't care."

The homie Chuck Taylor goes hard for his Coast! On The Game's 3rd album "LAX." He makes you feel the Cali love. From song to song he gives you the rundown of California life. This CD makes you wanna get a drop top lowrider and ride around blasting the CD. The Game once again proves that he doesn't need Dr. Dre or other writers to make a banging album.

T.I.'s post arrest CD "Paper Trail," is kinda amazing. In the sense that everybody heard a majority of the album months before it came out and it still did great on the charts. T.I's still KING.

Nas's CD "Untitled," was supposed to be called "Nigger." But to the delight of many older persons, the CD's name was changed to "Untitled." Honestly most of the hype around the album for me is that it was going to be called "Nigger," but when that fell through so did the anticipation for me. It was an ok album but nothing to mind altering, or earth shattering happened during me listening. But the odd thing is the mixtape Nas released with DJ Green Lantern "The Nigger Mixtape." Was way better than the album.

Ok so it's not technically a RAP album, but there are rappers on it and Ye is a producer and to be honest its on of the best albums and one of the most creative efforts of the year. Kanye's 4th album "808's & Heartbreak" explores Kanye's singy-er side. The production is great and the melodies are classic. He took flack for this album when he said it was going to be all Auto-Tune (that T-Pain), but really you don't notice it. Its a classic, he went there and he did it right!

Music Makes The World Go Round

DRAG