After clashes with his record label, Atlantic Records, claims of retirement from the music industry, and release of the mediocre pop-like 2011 'Lasers' album, 'Food & Liquor II' marks Lupe's dramatic comeback.
Ayesha, Lupe's sister, opens the album with a hectic juxtaposition of imagery through the poem ' Ayesha says'. The poem practically serves as the summary of the whole album. It sets a serious and gloomy atmosphere and presents the subject matters that the Chicago native touches on in his verses.
"I know you're saying, 'Lupe rappin' 'bout the same shit', well, that's 'cause aint shit changed, bitch...", raps Lupe at the beginning of the second verse of the third track, 'ITAL (Roses)'. Yes, he does rap about politics, and he still expresses denunciation of the American political system, and that he will not vote. Whether you agree with him or not, he has always had strong opinions on societal issues. He has always been a controversial figure, be it in his lyrics, interviews, him calling Obama a terrorist, boycotting media etc.
If you are conservative and naive, you won't like this album. But, if you are open to new thinking, conscious about your surroundings, and ready to accept the flaws of our society, you will certainly appreciate the work that Lupe Fiasco put in, and you will get his point of view.
Through this album, one could easily tell that the 30 year old rapper is a voice of rebellion. He touches on deep topics such as slavery. "...there was nothing equal for my people in your math, you forced us in the ghetto and then took our dads", he expresses his anger on the Soundtrakk produced song 'Strange Fruition'. I think it is an unnecessary track, though, because slavery is a subject as old as time - people must be able to forget, reconcile and move on. There is no need for opening old wounds.
The 30 year old rapper shows displeasure of the hip hop culture through profound condemnation of the use the word 'bitch' in most of the hip hop songs. While his peers endorse the lavish lifestyle, Lupe attacks materialism and all these images portrayed by the hip hop industry. Ironic, isn't it? Racial prejudice, religion and sexism are some of the subjects touched on in this 17 track album. Tracks to look out for are 'Bitch Bad', 'ITAL, (Roses)', 'Lamborghini Angels' , 'Put Em Up', 'Brave Heart' and 'Cold War'
In a nutshell, Lupe gives us a provocative and insightful album through his clever lyrics.
