Album rollouts don’t come much odder than Lupe Fiasco’s Tetsuo & Youth. Since the Chicago-emcee announced the project during the 2013 GRAMMY Awards, there’s been several delays and supposed singles. There was Ed Sheeran-featured “Old School Love” and “Next To It” with Ty Dolla $ign, both of which received videos. There was “Mission” and the remix “Remission” with Common and Jennifer Hudson which were dedicated to cancer survivors. There was “Pu$$y.” There was another testy exchange with Atlantic Records that resulted in the release of mini-EP, Lost In The Atlantic. And just when it seemed like Wasulu was embroiled in another corporate standoff, Anonymous threatened to e-attack Atlantic if it did not announce a release date for Tetsuo & Youth. Within 24 hours the label conceded. Seriously, the greatest stories in Hip Hop history have a hard time competing with that one; especially following that time Fiasco Fanatics organized a protest and actually secured Lasers’ release. Who else has made anything powerful enough to inspire an audience to literally fight to buy it?
But even with a release date in tow, from a marketing standpoint, the direction of the album was murky. Los Angeles isn’t plastered with Tetsuo & Youth bills, at least. None of the singles above were included on the tracklist. No media blitz coincided detailing the project’s concept like there was with 2007’s build-up to The Cool. Sadly, some may know more about Lu’s thoughts on Iggy Azalea and Kendrick Lamar than what his fifth studio album is actually about. Whether because of modern pop culture or parabolic strategy is a distraction. Tetsuo & Youth is a beautiful block of metaphor. Chiseling through it requires undivided attention.
“No Scratches” (produced by DJ Simonsayz) is not only one of the project’s most immediately memorable offerings, but arguably it’s most ironic. Lupe narrates three different instances of when it’s necessary to end a situation before colliding with heartbreak. The hook easily speaks to a fourth. Fiasco’s FNF Army has felt fractured in recent years in comparison to the excitement that surrounded him in 2006—arguably a result of L-U-P-Enigma’s contentious public persona coupled with back-to-back lukewarm offerings (Lasers, and Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album). Lupe’s aware of all of this, though. He addresses fans and critics on the S1 and M-Phazes-produced, “Blur My Hands” (featuring Guy Sebastian). “So you’re starting at the end / That’s the part where you begin,” raps Fiasco. “I skip the bullshit so we can start it where we win / Yeah, spoiler alert / I can hear you all saying ‘Boy you’re a jerk’ / But it’s cool, though / Know we got a rule, yo / Get it in / Then we win and do it all again, ho.”
Possibly the truest talisman to the evolution of Lupe Fiasco as an emcee is how keenly Cornell Westside weaves lyrical and stylistic contortionism in a fashion rarely attempted a city block outside of Battle Rap into super strong songs. The third verse on “Adoration Of A Magi” features an onslaught of assonance that can only be described as absurd (in a good way) partnered with an angelic chorus that subtly alludes to classic album covers:
“Why you Ready To Die? You just a baby / Why them tears up under your eyes (Tha Carter III)? You just a baby / Keep your head up in the sky (Nothing Was The Same), you just a baby / Quit chasing money, Nevermind, you’re just a baby / Why you wanna be Born Again? You just a baby / Why you playin’ in them streets? (Illmatic) You just a baby.”
The song appears to be a salute to today’s generation of rap superstars layered under Metal Gear Solid and Double Dragon metaphors, but let’s face it, this is Lupe Fiasco. You can listen to a Lupe Fiasco album for nine years and still pick up fresh nuances. Replay value is the most resolute quality of his most revered albums and it absolutely rings omnipresent throughout Tetsuo & Youth.
Those eight-minutes-and-forty-nine-seconds of mega-bars on “Mural” might as well be “Dumb It Down” on performance enhancers. “Dots & Lines” (produced by Lupe Fiasco) sounds hokey and is lathered in universal law and alchemy references and just might be a metaphorical shot at Atlantic Records, which makes sense since his contract is coming to an end (“You look just like how I’ma be / Sacred Geometry… Three angels in kind, on time, go straight, don’t sign…”). Perspective flips like “Madonna (And Other Mothers In The Hood),” the enlightening inmate versus correctional officer juxtaposition on “Prisoner 1 & 2” and “Deliver’s” pizza delivery approach to discussing economic disparity keep the album from drifting too far into the ethos, fortunately. It’s still grounded in reality. But there’s a ton going on on Tetsuo & Youth—enough to make a Fiasco Fanatic go A Beautiful Mind.
Perhaps that’s the way to digest T&Y: Lupe’s latest moves more like a collage than a stock collection of songs. DJ Dahi and S1 crafted the bulk of the backdrop and largely the outcome is an hour and 19 minutes of cascading lushness. Away from the seasonal arrangements (“Summer,” “Fall,” “Winter,” and “Spring”) segmenting the album’s moods, most tracks boast scenic instrumentals and orchestral movements connecting T&Y thematically. Terrace Martin’s saxophone solo on “Body Of Work” (produced by S1 and Vohn Beatz) deserves an award (any award), immediately. Dahi’s menacing behemoth, “Chopper” (which includes standout verses from Glasses Malone and Pyschodrama’s Buk, alongside more rapping guest appearances than all of Lu’s previous four albums… combined) fits sonically on the same LP as S1 and Vohn Beatz’ ethereal “Little Death” (featuring Nikki Jean), for example. Sometimes it’s jazzy; sometimes it’s bombastic. T&Y bathes in range. From mic to plug, the project is impressively assembled.
Outside of the disappointing “They.Resurrect.Over.New” (featuring Ab-Soul)—which connects conceptually, but sounds less dope doing so—Tetsuo & Youth glistens with maturity and imagination. Where the Judo Master Of Juxtaposition has grown more challenging lyrically, he’s also grown more naturally emotive. In place of frustration and petulance lives a warmth present for the first time in Fiasco full-length history; as if he’s reached a new checkpoint in the development of his patented simple-complexity; as if making music is again fun for him. Nostalgia is a beast no artist can evade, so comparing this album to his previous work is an exercise in ineptness. Whether better than The Cool or worse than Food & Liquor is a distraction. Tetsuo & Youth deserves its own exalted podium.
Great album. Lupe Fiasco’s beats selection and hooks usually fail for me in all honesty, but this album has great production and hooks. Lyrically on point as always.
Absolutely amazing is all I can say about this album. Will be looked at as a modern classic years down the line
Adoration of the Magi second verse is straight epic, best song off this album, Lu is the GOAT
Love this album so far
They.Resurrect.Over.New……..sheesh
Best Rap album in this young year.
His best album. Better than the cool and food and liquor
Album is flawless
Freaking amazing nearly flawless a record for the hip hop fans. This is art
Unbelievable album, one of the best I’ve ever heard. Lupe’s most cohesive and sonically diverse project ever.
His best album. That simple
Agreed with this article up until it said They Resurrect Over New was disappointing. Like bruh you are drunk lol, that track is crazy. From DJ Dahi’s production, Lupe’s flow and lyricism, and Ab-Soul’s flow and lyricism. The best track Ab and Lupe have done together imo, definitely a banger.
I hope they make a Single with a video out of that one. That song went hard.
Good review of a great album.
Incredible album, from the way it was structured to Lupe’s lyrics to the production.
Great review TCM
Great album
This album sucks.
Can someone actually break it down for me, becauee I thought musically it was all over and a little confusing, and I dont really understand what is so great about the lyricism… Im not tryna hate, I just honestly am wondering if someone can like give some examples of where he uses this “next level lyricism”? Also I feel like the production is just average? Then again I also liked his song “thieves” better than most of the songs on this album so maybe its just me. Again Im not saying I dislike this album, I think its pretty chill, I just personally cant see whats behind all the hype and want someone to explain it to me if possible
I’m telling y’all…. This better than Cole and Joey album combined. Its hard AF!
On repeat at the moment.
He’s not even the same rapper anymore. Who the fuck is this guy?
CRAZY!!!! Lupe be on that shakespeare level
Great effort! This is the first project in years where Lupe really nailed it. His lyricism has always been untouchable but this is actually very nice from a musical standpoint and that hasn’t been the case for Lupe in a long ass time. Glad he’s back though.
I wonder what lies Azalea Banks is telling herself right now….
Im hesitant to talk about her and give her shine, but its funny how regardless of her albums’ quality, no one is talking about it.
Masterpiece
Set the bar for hip hop this year.
This is his best album, if you think otherwise you’re just holding onto some nostalgia.
Been a long time coming…..Album straight off the meat rack.
Lupe has made a tight album
MASTERPIECE
This has the same feeling of Good Kid Maad City when it dropped. It may be even better though.
Its pre-mature to call it a classic, but this is a damn-near flawless album. Thank you HIP HOP DX Editors for recognizing the real.
Best Album since The Cool Dropped. Didn’t like his last 2 albums they weren’t on the level of his 1st 2 which i think are classics. I lost mad respect for Lupe in the long run because i felt his music suffered but he got my respect back with this one. Great album from top to bottom there’s only been 1 track i wasn’t rocking with. Salute
Beautifully crafted album
Calling it now, this is his best, and yes over The Cool and F&L
Set the bar high for album of the year. Maybe only the Prhyme deluxe album will top it
Still gotta listen to it in it’s entirety but this is really dope. Banks must be eating her words now
Excellent
…
This Album is second to The Cool in my mind and that is a great place to be.
Dopest album in a long time
aaa
FLAWLESS
The Fiasco returns.
FnL is still my favorite but this is up there with The Cool, amazing album
Unbelievable album. Definitely the return of lupe ever since ‘The Cool’. The hidden meanings in songs like ‘Mural’ and ‘Dots and Lines’ and others will leave your head scratching but ive already unearthered absolute gems.
LYRICALLY ITS INCREDIBLE ORGINALITY INCREDIBLE SOME OF THE PRODUCTION TO ME COULD OF BEEN A LIL BIT BETTER BUT OVERALL ITS A GREAT ALBUM, SALUTE LUPE!
Incredible work by Lupe on this album. Shout out to the producers as well. Dahi and S1 done their thing. Remember Lu said he has that whole project with s1. Would love to that to come to fruition. 5 stars for Tetsuo and Youth
his best body of work. album of the year
perfect
beautiful album
This is Fiasco’s and thus all of hip hop’s most complex, intellectual and lyrical album to-date. A true return to form not seen since The Cool.
It is pure genius. And pure art. Lupe has delivered another classic and now he has three classics under his belt.
He can now be considered among the greatest of all times without question.
I had to extend my lunch break because I kept rewinding Murals. That song is dense. I listened to it like 3 times and my head is hurting; idk if I can make it through the whole album. Every other line I heard some more wordplay and was like “WHAT!?!”. Homeboy brought out a reference to Secret Squirrel and then a few bars later talked about eyes in murals like from Scooby Doo. There’s not a single whack bar on that song. I already know I’m going to love this album.
Oh! And excellently written article. You guys are heads and shoulders above the other hip hop sites and it shows here.
a work of Genius..
an artistic hip hop album the BEST In Yeeears .. if you mix F&L and the cool you get T&Y
Every single track is a mind blower
Damn… I mean ain’t nothin’ else to say about the album. A work of art this LP is. Good ya Lupe. You are truly one of the RAP GODS and this project is just an example of why. Dope son..
Wait, he really said, TRON is disappointing? Come on, man! That shit had me jumping outta my driving car, sprinting through the streets, shooting up the block, stealin’ yo girl, going to Mars and back, and blow up the whole Galaxy, just because I can!
True Art, Lupe is Top 10 dead or alive!
What a terrific and brilliant rap album
The GOAT Nothing else this is an amazing piece of ART
and now you can say Lupe is one of the Greatest.. the best since Em
soo fuckin haaard to compete with this..Album of the year
da fuq..
Lupe is so underrated! he has reached over his carrear an excellence that very few rappers have ever reached.
Tetsuo & youth is a masterpiece. Thank you for letting us enjoy hip hop again.
Lupe Fiasco!! Completely shook everyone with this album. One of the best albums ever created. Keep it going man!
LUPE IS BACK AND WITH THAT FIRE!!!!! HE GIVES ME FAITH IN HIP HOP!
Excellent album , way to start the 2015!
Thank god. Hip Hop can evolve again.
Lupe drops knowledge and speaks the truth on this album. Definitely worth the wait.
I fucks with this
ùeh
Can put up some competition to this!
Justin hunte…u are what makes this site great. Perfect review even tho I thoroughly enjoy TRON!
Ha! Thank you for that, 7sixes. We appreciate the support. Who knows, maybe TRON will grow on me overtime.
dope
Great review. TRON is awesome in my opinion. Nice feature by Ab-Soul and vocals from Troi. Didnt think he could deliver after Lasers sucking and FLII underwhelming.
You speak for a lot of Lupe fans. It’s great to see him put together a project of this caliber. Thank you for reading, Verceddy.
The production on this album is incredible. Sonically beautiful. The whole concept of the album being played backward involving Samsara, and the tracklist viewed upside-down is the crucifixion is incredible.
See! I completely missed that! Thank you sincerely, B Dub.
FUEGO!!!!
I knew it was going to be great once he started rapping on Mural. Also the seasonal theme of the year getting longer was quite clever.
It started with Summer, then three songs later it was Fall. Four songs later is was Winter and 5 songs later it ended with Spring.
Also the theme became more “ratchet” as the album progressed. Lupe painted his abstract picture of the world and the album with Mural. Then there was the story of a prisoner and prison system and by time Chopper came around the content went full hood. Deliver, Modonna and Adoration of the Magi were some consequences of the hood.
I love the album and the surprise to me was how great the production and hooks were. Now with F&L and the Cool this wasn’t an issue, but since Lasers there has been a criticism over Lupe’s beat selection. Although I personally never had issues with his hooks, these are memorable and catchy on this album.
Overall, I don’t know how this will rank over F&L and the Cool. A part of me is inclined to say this is his best work yet. I will let time decided. I’ll still go with a 5/5. This is an excellent album that captures Lupe both past and present.
P.s. Fuck Atlantic for trying to deny us of THIS masterpiece.
Great points all around, Jesuszilla. The meanings will continue to unfold over time. The hooks and production though…
Apologies for the spacing, btw. Changes coming soon.
Great analysis….DX should replace a few reviewers with you. One love.
Does HHDX not allow paragraphs on their reviews?
If so why? With my last comment I split it up but now it’s one long paragraph
And it looks odd
This album is like woah, ok I think I just stepped into a portal to a world filled with gold moons and purple skies. I think my brain just tripled in size, my heart exploded and I found my soul. I have to say Dots & Lines is my favorite song, but then again I like the whole album. 20 Stars ********************
TRON is one of the dopest track after some more listens other than that great review!!
LOVE IT
Been a big Lupe fan for the longest and everyone that said Lupe fell off will change their mind after listening to this. This album was straight fire and I’m extremely satisfied with this
Too Cool
It makes me happy to see Lupe receiving the love that he deserves, this album is a slap to the face to everyone who felt he fell off. Hip Hop is definitely a good place right now thanks to meaningful albums like this one. Peace!
damn, this album is CRAY! dope by the homie LUPE… keep doin ur thang
Amazing album!! definitely a contender for AOTY. I’m gonna be deciphering this album for the whole year
Stay off Twitter Lupe and you will be good.
5 stars man. Lupe is really really dope. He’s where Kendrick wants to get. 4/5 albums have been fire.
The production, the lyricism, the musicality, the conceptual layers, the cover art, the depth…. Many may be apprehensive to call anything a “masterpiece” these days; but if Tetsuo and Youth ISN’T an artistic masterpiece, I don’t know what is.
great album
It’s no problem, Justin. We talk about this over at the LUPEND blog chat all the time. Me and guys like 7sixes who also commented. And, of course, the Lupe page on KanyeToThe
Never been a fan of Lupe. Listened to some of his tracks, but he never appealed to my personal taste. That being said, this album is sick. He just attracted a new fan with this artistic gem.
This is the GOAT rapper hands down
This is a great review
This album is pretty much a nice fuck you to not only the people who talked shit on him with regards to lasers but also people that said his lyrical skill is whack and of course the decepticons aka Atlantic records.
fsa
classic
Lupe the fucking GOAT! Been a huge fan since 2006. Lyrics are always insane af. One of his greatest albums. Best album of the year!
5 stars well deserved!
*
*
*
*
*
Insane lyrics in Mural
Lupe is coming back, I have been waiting soooooo long.
Incredible album !!
AOTY baby! Lupe back!
I love when a damn good artist gets crazy criticism and then releases something like this and mutes all critics. Who gone check this?
Flawless!!
Overrated extremely fast
Lupe is back this is what he been wanting to do since Lasers now he can express his true raw talent no commercial!!!! Yes.
Best album ever
this is an album people should be talking about its an album not a line or verse or even a single song to just reference if I’m telling people to listen it’s because they need to listen the whole album and that’s something that’s been missing I’ve been listening all day
HE DA GOAT
This album is everything hip hop has been missing. forget 5 stars this classic deserves 100 stars all day
One of the best albums I’ve ever heard
Dude if you love hip hop, you cant hate on this. Beautiful art he painted (pun intended) on Tetsuo & Youth, been a while since i had this feeling about an album like this before (black album by jay z). Lupe one of the goats..really worth the money. 5/5 deserved salute to you Lupe!
“Guess who’s on third? Lupe steal like lupin the 3rd” Lupe congrats 5/5!
Truly amazing! saxophone play is the icing on the cake for me.
Love it
Very good album from Lupe. Best I’ve heard since GKMC
A Classic. T&Y is a hip-hop masterpiece.
If you were like me, a fan who began to wonder if Lupe would create another classic album… Wonder no more!!! Tetsuo & Youth is a classic album… A work of art… Thanks Lupe.
THATS JUST GENIUS!
9/10 album
Lupe is…. a BEAST
no wait
he is
BEST
i mean bro … THREE CLASSICS
This is the best rap album ever made.
Try Again
This album cements Lupe’s position as one of hip hop’s GOATs
A Fine Piece, 10/10
Pure brilliances…now that’s how you silent critics and naysayers. 4.5/5
Seriously dope album. Not perfect, though.
Brilliant album.
@Kurama Non truer words have been spoken.the goats(nas, biggie, jay z, 2pac) have all dropped classic discographies.. now Lupe is in that realm with this with this Album definitely. this is why:
Nas: illmatic, it was written, stillmatic
Biggie: Ready to Die, Life after Death
Jay Z: reasonable doubt, blueprint, black album
now
Lupe: Food & Liquor, The Cool, Tetsuo & Youth
Not to mention Lupe’s lyrical abilities have evolved and surpassed all the greats: look at Mural, Little Death, Adoration of the Maji. Lupe’s metaphor is from a different dimension b.
I excluded Eminem why? Only 1 classic LP under his belt. I do admit he’s one of the top tier emcee in his day. but dude fallen off and very redundant and never EVER evolved. Same bullshit!
hate it or love it Lupe is on one of the goats..definitely G.L.O.A.T
really cohesive.
One of the best rap albums ever. This is simply amazing.
excellent
Just brilliant
I love lupe
Anna loves Lupe
I really do appreciate the more extensive review you gave to Lupe compared to any other album reviews. Should that say something of the quality of other albums? Does it say something that you couldn’t sum up his album in 2 paragraphs? This is the best review I have read from HHDX good job.
Ha! Thank you for that, Daniel. Incredible album.
Very we’ll penned review,haven’t listened to the album yet,define tell buying it tomorrow
I agree with entire critque/review except that FNL II and Lasers were ‘lukewarm’ …FNL II has much of the things we hear on T&Y but with a social slant. The ‘winter’ portion of the album with Deliver, Magi, could have all fit on FNL II lyrically and musically.
That’s a good point, Shaun. I look at the “lukewarm” in comparison to the acclaim that followed F&L and TC. Lasers and F&L 2 had their bright spots, but lacked conceptually. Plus, both felt more like Atlantic than Lupe. Thanks for the comments, Shaun.
1. Best album review of T&Y thus far.
2. Lupe killed this ish!
3. Finally, a very inspiring album that can connect with any genre, so truth telling.
Thank you sincerely, richc. We appreciate you reading.
Unbelievably layered performance. He doesn’t shoot for pop sensational sh*t on this album, but gives us one anthem after another. Well done, sir.
Album is a masterpiece!
now he is one of the greats.. on the level of nas,Em,Jay,mos
This is on some next level stuff. Back to basics for Lupe and beats that compliment him very well on this.
This Album is amazing!!! Just a new sound, but instead of bombing it, he nailed it. Good sound and lyrics with witty wordplay.
Didnt think I would like this album this much. Real materpiece
so far in 2015..this is album of the year…LUPE truly did pave the way for K DOT & J COLE..and JOEY BADASS truly copied LUPE’s “KICK,PUSH” type rap…my faves by LUPE ARE #THE COOL…#F&L2…..and now..this one….#TESUO & YOUTH..#a MUST HAVE album..
the other ppl who may or may not TOP this album by LUPE are
#KENDRICK LAMAR…#JAY ROCK…#MEEK MILL..#BIG SEAN…..and of course #DRAKE!….
Dope!!
dope
Amazing Album. Whole Album is like one song, incredible flow. This is music.
So did DX rate this album a 5 or a 4.5? I see at the top of the page that the album has 5 X’s meaning that it got a rating of 5. HOWEVER, in the right-hand panel under “Highest Editor Rated Albums” it says 4.5…
Thanks for pointing that out, fatboyrule. We gave the album a 4.5. Bare with us if you don’t mind. We’re correcting the disconnect on our end.
Well that’s disappointing. This album is a masterpiece. Definitely Lupe’s magnum opus. I was hoping to see you guys finally give out a 5 star rating to someone other than Kanye, and this album is definitely deserving.
Either way, it doesn’t change my opinion of the project.
When I view the album review page in Google Chrome, it shows a 5 star rating. When I view it in Internet Explorer, it shows 4.5. Might be a caching issue on my pc or with Chrome.
That’s exactly what it is actually, caching. That was a brief byproduct of some upcoming improvements to the site. We actually gave F&L 5Xs, by the way. His catalog is officially crazy now. There’s a strong argument to be made that Lu has three classic albums, which means he’s now 3 out 5. Other than OutKast and Kanye West, who else has 60% Classic catalog?
Mural is amazing. Best long non hook track since Wutang’s Triumph. Lupe went in. Great album overall. Wasn’t too excited about the posse cut with Fam Lay, Trae and all, but otherwise really great album. Lipe got bars for centuries.
Justin,
I didn’t see who wrote this at first, but I had a feeling it was you based on how well the writing seemed to appreciate Lupe. Like you mention, no matter what he does in the future, he will always be compared to his previous work. That, in part, is why The Cool was so great – because he managed to out-perform himself from F&L.
I’m only 2.5 listens through at the moment (thanks in part to Meijer shanghi-ing me and not handing out the CD at midnight) but I have mixed opinions.
First off, I am so grateful for this coming out and it is better than I was hoping. I actually see a lot of similarities between Lupe of Tetsuo & Youth and Eminem of MMLP2. Em’s album was also better than I was hoping for and something hip hop really needed. It was also very dense – as in there was a TON of rapping. I wonder if anything could’ve been condensed. But it could also be true that, from a rhyming/wordplay perspective, Em was at the top of his game with MMLP2.
I think the exact same can be said for Lupe on this album. From a mechanical/technical standpoint, I don’t think Lupe has ever done anything better than this. But at the same time, the stuff from the Fareinheit series and his first two albums seemed more… I guess “clever” would be the word I would use. Like he would sneak in the craziest lines and it seemed to be so effortless. It seems like he is trying harder on T&Y.
With that being said, he did a great job on this album. The overall sound is very unique and will probably be trend-setting. And there are very few that rap like Lupe.
4/5 (but rated it 5 to boost the ratings)
Other than 3 songs, this is recycle bin material. Dude been lost since after The Cool.
…………see yourself out
I don’t think I’ll ever understand how one man can incorporate so many themes, ideas, beats, references, and extensive lyrics into one album and still keep it coherent. But I can admire the man who just did it. Mural had my head bangin and my heart pumpin for 8 minutes straight – and that’s only the first song!!!! This album reminds me why I think Lupe is one of the most matured lyricists today. This is art in the twenty-first century, ladies and gentlemen. listen and i’m sure you’ll learn something from Lupe
I read this review and said well I’ll check Lupe out, I’ve never really spent any time on Lupe. Found the full album on youtube and gave it a spin. I’ve been stuck on Murals for the last 4 hours (on and off). I’m sitting up here in Nova Scotia going…did he just say Nova Scotia? Suffice to say he got my itunes money
Lupe’s best work to date.
4/5/5
LUPE BACK!!! I think this is better than the COOL maaaaaaan.
No Scratches is a great record and its full of good quality lyrics and and R&B soul infused hip hop…its been cool to see Lupe mature since Kick Push days…..Filet Mignon on my food stamps
His style may have changed, but his work is still top quality.
Every aspect of this album has meaning. He hasn’t created music, he has created art. Adoration of the Magi is a lyric annotator’s dream, the production of Dots and Lines gives me chills and Mural is just incredible. Not to mention Prisoner 1 & 2, Deliver and so on. My favorite album of the past few years.
The Album is Flawless from Front to back Never Had to skip a song all though I did rewind tracks like million times. They need to give this album a 5/5
If you like it buy it
Insanely good, coherent and well-crafted album
Listening in reverse order now. Still flows awesomely….
Awesome!!
Damn… I think I might like it more in reverse order. Wasn’t ready for that one.
Always loved Lupe and his art, he just makes great tunes! #yadig #FNF UP!
I have never been more impressed on a first listen. I was blown away with this project. It makes me happy that there are artists who still put so much time and effort into their lyrics.
This album plays out like a movie soundtrack. Perfectly crafted from start to finish. I really think this is his best album so far and it should be nominated for (and win) a Grammy.
Reading these comments have brought tears to my eyes. ive been waiting for the album for 2 years…. and then i bought 4 copies. This shit right here, bruh. this is the reason I love Hip Hop. Art in its purest form.
I don’t think there’s an opening song that brought me into an album like Murals did for a while now. I was instantly hooked and loved the album. The only places I think Lupe went wrong was with Madonna (I didn’t like that song at all) and I thought he blew a chance to close the album powerfully on TRON (I liked Soul’s verse a lot though). But the album does flow so well and has some of the most beautiful, strong production I’ve heard in a while. I honestly didn’t think Lupe would put out a better album than Joey yesterday, but he proved me wrong.
dont Forget to listen to the album in reverse, aka starting with spring, ending with summer. It’s a new experience.
Lupe had everything in this album. And Madonna was actually one of his more powerful pieces imo. Love for your mother. This song actually hit me the hardest since it was just a rememberance of what things matter most in your life. More of his emotional songs tbh. Album is straight fire. 5/5. Should be a hit but sadly media ain’t gonna let him rise. This album just has so much meaning that it probably is one of the best albums in the past few years.
This album is straight up awesome, and Lupe’s lyrics are as true as ever. I love this.
Lupe back at his best, without a doubt.
GOAT nuff said
Ten your from now we will still be talking about this.. Lu one of the greats
*Years
absolutely love it! his best work since The Cool – lyrically just on another level
LU IS BACK BITCHEZZ
Beautifully crafted album. One of his best. Imagine what an album could sound like now that he’s independent. Full creative control and freedom. Damn I can’t wait to see this new era Lu
DOPE AS FUCK
a reminder to all the critics, haters, and industry peeps who rag on cornel westside. carrera lu all day.
can’t wait for black vietnam and the next phase of his career.
it’s not bs but still pretty boring
butt
This album is even better than Iggy’s. Seriously!
So dope! Lupe again deliver what hip hop needs!
It’s about time. Lupe fans stand up!
Great Album
A great way to start 2015. This album is straight fire from start to finish and even the features compliment the album. Lupe fiasco has dropped a bomb.
I am on my 10th play through cover-to-cover.
This album blew me away… This might be the first time I felt so shocked by the quality of an album since MBDTF and before that MMLP.
Time will tell, but I am betting this is a new classic.
Not feeling it at all.
5 Stars.. Classic.. Better than the Chronic
Classic.
There are so many levels to this album and so much diversity in the music. Lupe painted a masterpiece for us with T&Y.
Not better than j cole 2014 fhd
^ Someone throw this delusional dude out the comment section lol.
^haha
hh
disappointing T.R.O.N.? hmmm, one of my favorite tracks.
good review though.
Classic… One of the greatest hip hop albums I’ve heard. Probably top 30 all time and top 5 decade.
5/5 for this album. Any other rating is doesn’t illustrate the greatness of this project
5/5 Lupe 3rd classic albums congrats! The cool, F&L, Tetsuo & Youth
name any other rappers beside Kanye or Outcast that has better discography than this dude? thats 60% 3 out of 5 so far lupe..
pac was 4/5
OH yea! LOL 2pac the men..Nas and Jay z both had 3 classics out of 11 and 13 albums respectively so they dont count..
Arguably Pac. That’s including the double disk.
Scarface and Ghostface both have 10 albums better than anything Lupe has done.
im a big scarface fan but that’s quite an exaggeration there BW.
Lu is da MAN.. a fuckin masterpiece
mural>>> rap god+control
Best Album so far
Best album i have heard since Nas’ Life is Good
I think Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Aren’t getting their just due, Blasphemy was a pretty epic album
I can’t believe I had to sit down and listen to this album 5 times in one sitting just to fully appreciate the intellect within this work. What a rapper, what a lyricist. The editor on this site has done justice to this review, breaking it down the way it should. Lupe man, just thank you for this work of art.
naaah 1
From some lame who probably didn’t even listen to the album. Play in traffic.
kiss my ass lupe’s dickrider. If I hurt your feelings – fuck you.
Motherfukin 5
Best album of this decade. 1) Tetsuo and Youth 2) MBDTF 3) GKMC
what are the other two albums that you have mentioned?
Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city
^Kendrick Lamar- Section .80 is killing both those albums
awesome album
man the tetsuo and youth’s leftovers is dope as fuck i really dont know what is better between these two bodies of work. but this album right here is fucking album of the year right now in my opinion. lupe has set the bar high for 2015 and i highly doubt if kendrick can come harder then this. only person i see in 2015 coming close to or making a better body of work is nas
Kanye???
^Kanye been falling off lyrically. Production-wise it’s very likely his album will be the greatest of the year, but not as an overall project.
lyrics 5/5
beats 3/5
overall 4/5
the drums are horrible and ruin the experience for me. lyrically lupe is in top form though
This album stages my day, and keeps me moving, Best album out there by Lupe.
haha i swear ya dickriders would come up here and just troll lol..the fans review went from 4.84 to 4.76 in a couple of days, that says alot about this stans..Just love the music and dont hate..This generation bunch of conceited stans. I rated Joey badass album 4.5 this lupe album 5/5 and that wayne music 2/5 and im not a fan of all this cats..I just appreciate a good music without getting in my feelings and just shit on a good record like joey badass and tetsuo and youth..
Classic
Classic but not better than food and liquor I think the review is on pointed
Best abums in last 5 years:
1-Tetsuo & Youth,,,
2-My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,,
3-good kid, m.A.A.d city,,,
4-Distant Relatives
The Roots – Undun? Nas – Life is Good? MBDTF overrated to shit. That’s an 8/10 album.
Yeah you forgot life is good and undun. Not to mention the dreamer, the believer
UNDUN IS OVERRATED
I can’t believe I missed the link to this article! i didnt even see it on the frontpage. Buying the album today!
One thing that impressed me about the album is how easy it is to listen too. These songs are long and with the exception of Chopper, none of them feel their length. I think there’s only one song shorter than 4 minutes and THREE songs longer than 8. Mural and Prisoner 1 & 2 just fly by as you take in each word.
The most common way to describe the album is “Lupe back to form” but I don’t think sums it up. It feels more like an evolution of Lupe.
I personally like it more than the Cool and I feel it’s a notch below F&L.
GOD… DAMN… as an old head, i *respect* this young’un. it’s tempting for my generation to look down on y’all because we stubborn and the alzheimers is setting in… but this joint is undeniable. truth: feeling it more than Logic or Cole, but not because you can really measure one against the other. it’s just a matter of personal preference. DREAM: the best of y’all’s generation 1) hooks up with each other to make truly epic shit, and b) works with the best of the previous generations. it’s time for the real emcees from all generations to start cementing the legacy of the artform in areas beyond record sales and the opinions of “music journalists.”
Gotta be AOTY. Can’t see anyone topping it out of the artists supposedly releasing this year
Kanye might
Kanye doesn’t have the skill set to top Lupe
weird sense of style. My opinion its not appealing in this time of the year. strait garbo!
Your opinion is straight garbo. Shut the fuck up lol
#AOTY
Will be one of the best album’s in this decade
Has to be some Badass stans putting 1 star on this. That rating fell unusually quickly. Nevertheless I enjoyed Joey’s debut. THIS however is one of the best albums since the turn of the decade. Congrats Lupe. Listening to this album through and even backwards it just feels like a movie playing though my mind. Great work
Can’t even count the amount of times I already played this over. Best album since the cool
outstanding. poetry at it’s finest.
Extremely talented….best lyricist! Definitely underrated.
Haven’t really jammed Lupe like this in a looooooooong time, but this is by far one of the greatest album’s I’ve listened to since I can remember…
Easiest 5 stars in recent memory. I have listened to the album back to back since it dropped. This album transcends hip-hop. In my opinion this is a masterpiece. Art.
Lyrical prowess at it’d best.
C-E-R-T-I-F-I-E-D CLASSIC! Thanks again for the lyrical prowess.
Classic album
Lupe’s most ambitious album yet. After two underwhelming albums, he makes a strong comeback. Amazing!
I thought Food & Liquor was pretty good. Lasers just had the wrong choice of songs in a few areas that ruined the cohesiveness of the project.
“Outta My Head” and “Out of My Head” were arguably the two worst songs in Lupe’s catalog. And they were back to back on the Lasers album, which dragged the whole thing down.
He should have put “SLR” and “I’m Beaming” on those two spots and it would have drastically increased the albums appeal (and likely sales).
…!!!…!!!
LUPES BACK. MURAL-GOODNIGHT
Sick, consistent, same ole Lupe, killin em with them doubles
Out of all the rappers who run their mouth on Twitter way too much, he is the only one who can back it up with what he does best….be lyrical.
Great album. Lupe delivert
5 stars… Classic… Better than Illmatic
A classic indeed. But I think your illmatic comment was straight trolling.
A classic nothing less.
Lives up to the hype. Lupe is back!
An excellent album start to finish…Gets better with each listen!
Solid album
Easily his best album since The Cool
It’s gonna be tough to top this album in 2015
Gonna be interesting to see what he does now that he’s independent. Wonder if he’ll sign to another label. He hinted that in some of his interviews. This album was dope though. Can’t see anyone doing better this year.
Wow. True body of work from front to back. This is crazy dope.
I think this album’s more of a fiasco than his earlier ones.
if you haven’t already, go to rapgenuis and read how nuts and deep each and every lupe line from T and Y is. It’s UNREAL. Then admit, like everyone else, Tetsuo and Youth sounds good, but even the smartest, most hardcore Lupe fans had no idea what he was talking about 90 percent of the time. EVEN ON THE CHORUS’!
LUPE WENT IN with the bars. Good for him. Ahead of his time.
Here’s a link to Lupe’s top 10 lines from TandY broken down.
Eg. “You just a baby” chorus makes reference to CD covers of Nas, Wayne, BIG, Nirvana.etc..
Did YOU pick that up? Isn’t it SO MUCH BETTER now that you do?
Only 30000 sales for this garbage. Get off his nuts you groupie nerds. Too bad for all the dock riding u loses do Lupe still sells less than chief keep. Drake will go platinum in a week. Lupe is a joke compared to drake and he will mtater to casual hip hop fans with lives.
Sales figures LOL have you traveled from 2004 nigga?
Yo, Drake. You really need to take your trolling to another level. One tip: Do not use your own name.
Talking about being on someones nuts all while concerning yourself with album sales? Duck out of here lol.
Amazing album from one of the goats
Tetsuo season
Best album ever since
The production was a little out of the Lupe Fiasco typical and it was awesome. He has reminded me of what made me like his music in the first place. Long awaited and it lived up to the hype according to what I was expecting…
one of the best albums ive heard in a minute
Album of the year
Bro he says don’t SINE on Dots & Lines, not don’t sign, its a mathematical term in which he mixes in with life’s happenings…You’re way off on some of the things he is referencing. Just saying.
It’s both. Signing with Atlantic took him off the path of the music he was trying to make, like a sine wave.
Time would show that this is one of the most important hip hop releases in the 2000s. Even I, a ride or die Lupe fan never expected him to craft an album this good AGAIN! IT’S SAFE TO SAY I WAS DEAD WRONG! 5/5
Really surprised.
Best album since the turn of the decade. The lyrics, delivery, flows, features and finally, the production all on point. This is the Lupe that does not give a shit about finding new fans. This is for his old fans and he did one hell of a job. Can’t see anything topping this for a long time. If anyone were to top this anytime soon it’d probably be Lupe himself. Great album. Hip hop needed this.
Bravo.
#INSTANT CLASSIC!…
Had to send a comment JUST to disagree with your TRON assessment. Dope ass song.
I gotta agree with CMGB… TRON is dope…!!
Hands down the most complete album I’ve heard in a very looong time…! $
As soon as I heard the start of Mural, before the beat dropped and before he started going HAM, I knew this album was gonna slap. Every album that opens with the sound of kids playing is a classic
lmao word yoo
Incredible
True masterpiece, 5/5, real rap always comes back around, we’re in a voyourestic facebook twitter keyboard warrior era of fake rap fans, Lupe Fiasco is a breath of fresh air
“we’re in a voyourestic facebook twitter keyboard warrior era”
AWESOME!!!
I’ve already gotten into this more than anything since The Cool. Lyrics are top-tier, as I’d expect out of Lupe, beats are 8/10,but overall, awesome album.
Excellent album. Its an intellectual story telling at it’s best. The connection between Winter, Chopper, Deliver, Madonna, Adoration of the Magi and finally TRON is amazing. Sadly most hip hop fans of today wouldnt be able to grasp and understand the information due to being conditioned to enjoy negativity. The replay value is astronomically high with this album.Everyday I listen to it and pick up on something new. Honestly I don’t need any other album for 2015.
One of the best abums I’ve heard since I began listening to hip-hop. This is up there with the classics
Great to hear Lupe on this level again. Amazing album. Prisoners 1 & 2 is also one of the sickest songs I have ever heard.
Love it. Instant classic
By far this is the BEST ALBUM of the YEAR. It doesn’t compare to any of this Hiphop wanna be songs. Lupe is a VERY lyrically talented artist. Which so many can relate to, vision and feel each word & each song. He speaks for the people! I love the CD & have put so many people on to it. I just hope the world & the rest of hiphop society don’t sleep on it be ause this is REAL MUSIC.
Listening to Drake’s new shit made me realise how far ahead of the game Lupe really is. This album gonna be recognised as one of the best albums ever 5 years from now
Lupe made a great and huge work with his album. T.R.O.N is amazing
So I said I was gonna buy the album that day and I did. Man I am s glad I spend that lil money for this classic. I honestly cannot tell you how many times i replayed it and Ive had it since release day.
This album really isn’t that good. I don’t understand why this is rated so high but I was really disappointed with it. Nothing special or unique just extremely irrelevant and borderline annoying lyrics.
I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion. So your’s is no different. I will admit I am a huge Lupe Stan and is probably my favorite artist of all time. With that said though, I can always appreciate other opinions and views. So, out of curiosity, in what ways didn’t you like his lyrics? You said they were irrelevant and boring right? Well, how so? Seriously, I am just curious. I loved the cd and have a hard time seeing why someone wouldn’t.
Forgot to add my rating.
His best work since The Cool. For me it goes, The Cool = Tetsuo and Youth > Food and Liquor
Only a few come close to Lupe when it comes to lyricism. Combine his lyricism with great instrumentals and those few are left in the dust. Tetsuo & Youth proves, once again, that this man, Lupe Fiasco, is one of the best rappers ever. Period.
I can’t help but to agree.
Lupe’s best work to date
Really enjoyed this album. Front to back and back to front. The most complete project by Lupe Fiasco, in my opinion. I loved Food and Liquor and The Cool. Both are two of the best albums of all time and I think I can assertively say that this joins them up there as one of the best. Lupe delivered another classic for us to witness. Great work. Let’s hope it continues with Skulls and Black Vietnam. Fnf U-P!
Dope shit from the big homie
Man hold my chicken and beer,. The cool Lupe Fiasco has once again crafted a great American Rap album in Tetsuo & Youth. All jokes aside a great album, perhaps not a classic, but a very good listen nonetheless. Lupe’s music has always had more substance (and messages) than 95% of the rap game, and this album is no different. Definitely up there with his previous offerings.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
How you not gonna think TRON is dope? Track was fire. As was the whole album. Lyrical masterpiece
Magnificent album from a great artist. Solid 9/10
No one in the game is better currently. T&Y slapped
This album is rated higher than fuckin PRhyme!
this is whats fucking wrong with hip hop nowadays.
too many kids who dont know how to recognize real hip hop.
Ive been listening since the 90’s and this is just wack.
As wack as when lupe fiasco was asked to perform on the 2pac memorial
Nothing less than 8.5 for this Awesome Album
Awesome album
Awesome album that is getting slept on ….shame. no wonder lupe is losing his mind
BBest hip hop album ever
Great start to 2015
so much depth in this piece of audio art is its stremgth and weakness but after a couple of weeks listening got to give it 5 stars. Not feeling chopper.
This album is a CLASSIC, with no arguments !
5 star lp
Dudes a legend and probably one of the best albums out in a decade.
Great
Definitely the best album out so far!! Keep it up Lupe, your the GOAT!!
Wow!! Lupe really went hard on this album. He’s always had the greatest lyrics and this album proves it. Can’t wait for his next album.
This album is lyrically the greatest performance in hip hop history. Never has an artist made 5 parellel stories that flow so smoothly with each other. From a player in a video game to a kid on the street to a documentary of Lupe himself to a Bhuddist monk in his temple, this album delivered flawlessly!
…
Banger
I was really proud of Lupe when I heard this album. His two prior to this weren’t great at all but I kept faith in this man and he delivered. Thank you for this masterpiece
Deserved a perfect 5 Album was fucken fire!!
A Perfect Work of Art.
This album will stay with me a for long, long time. Masterpiece.
Really good album. Gonna grow as time goes on
Super underrated. The industry sucks. Lupe Fiasco has been in my top 5 for a while now. The man puts out solid projects with dope production and lyrics but yet gets undermined. Ya should have given “T&Y” a 5. DX needs to get it right.
This album’s gonna go down in hip hop history as one of this decade’s best
Its disappointing that Lupe consistently gets undeserved negligence with every project he releases. This one on the other hand will be, SHOULD BE, in Hip Hop’s greatest of all time. This project is the epitome of lyricism, story telling, expression, production, all of which the basis of Hip Hop was founded. But, unfortunately the industry puts these types of projects on the side and goes back to focusing on the Young Thugs and Chief Keefs… I hope DX gets a chance to Re-Review this album and give it the 5 star rating it deserves.
I think they actually gave the album a 5-star review when it was first released. I came to this site the morning of the review and the album was rated at 5-stars. I came back later in the day, and it was 4.5. I believe what I was seeing was a cached version of the web page which leads me to believe they backed off of their initial 5-star review… which is disappointing since this album is very deserving of a 5-star rating.
Arguably, the best album out at the moment.
Only half a star better than Young Thug… DX SUCKS.
Most complex lyrics I’ve heard in a while
Best album 2015
Best LP 2015…………… word
F***k Atlantic……………………..
Start to Finish, Finish to Start… this shit is mind-blowing. Best album of 2015, hands down.
From start to finish: undeniably diverse and lyrical.
Unbelievably brilliant. Best Lupe album ever, at least in my opinion, and that speaks for a lot considering F&L and The cool were both spectacular albums. Incredibly lyrical, deep, musical. The instrumentals are brilliant, though 1 or 2 songs might have a sound acceptable to some people. Besides that, the album is very deep, almost every song has some interesting opinions on social issues and has a couple of different narratives. The album structure is perfect too. If you get this album, you won’t believe how often you will pick up something new. MUST BUY. Album of the year.
Best Album this year
Best Album 2015
Amazing album, probably one of the most through provoking albums in the 2010’s. Only tracks I didn’t really care for are ‘Blur my hands’ and ‘No scratches’ every other song was fantastic.
This album is one of the most conceptually sound albums of the past five years… This guys delivery is on another level
Probably one of best rappers of this generation with Jay Electronica
After listening to this incredible album for several months, I’ve finally got around to purchasing a copy of this great album. Gotta support Lupe on this one. One of the best albums of 2015.
4/5
great record
Agreed.
My favorite album from Lupe, One of the best this year!
T.R.O.Y. is the album’s best track.
Wats up with the hate???? Why did you take this album off the years highest rank list? Yah losing credibility.