Lupe Fiasco proves he’s still great at dropping bars that go over your head with the release of “Samurai.”
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TOP 3 SONGS
3. Til Eternity
“Til Eternity” closes out this project excellently.
I hate to be that guy, but “Til Eternity” is the only track that gives me Lasers/The Cool vibes. I usually avoid comparing an artist’s new work to their past, but something about its elegant yet hard-hitting production evokes those feelings. As for Lupe Fiasco, he raps with a punchy style reminiscent of his younger, hungrier days. Lyrically, the Chicago native channels his wisdom, delivering an array of sophisticated similes, metaphors, and oxymorons (The 8’OClock line is unbelievable).
2. Bigfoot
Lupe Fiasco will never “dumb it down.”
If you know Lupe Fiasco, he never takes the easy route. So, when I heard “Bigfoot,” featuring a simple, piano-heavy beat with an easygoing rhythm, I knew we were in for the most intricate version of Lupe—and he didn’t disappoint. Despite the chill tone, Lupe delivers an unmatched flow and wordplay, along with lyrical content that delves into the shaky thoughts entertainers experience when they first take the stage.
1. Samurai
Apparently, Amy Winehouse and B-Rabbit have a lot in common.
Can I blow your mind real quick? OK, here I go: Did you know “Samurai” is dedicated to a theoretical Amy Winehouse battle rapper? Yeah, crazy, isn’t it? If you pay close attention to Lupe Fiasco’s lyrics, you’ll see the lines dedicated to her. The line “really neat” references Amy Winehouse’s voicemail to Salaam Remi, in which she said writing Wu-Tang style is “really neat.” The title also nods to Amy’s reference to herself as a samurai on the battlefield, and a line in the second verse mentions the jazz musicians she was around often.
Aside from this track’s unbelievable storytelling, I also appreciate its bright boom-bap beat, easygoing hook, and the incredible wordplay Lupe Fiasco delivers.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
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RGM RATING
(B)
Lupe Fiasco’s mind is still running at 1000 miles per hour. In Samurai, he forced my brain to shut down with his next-level wordplay and PhD-level lyrical content.
I absolutely love the production on this album. It’s primarily rooted in classic, jazz-influenced hip-hop. If you call yourself a fan of the genre, you have to appreciate this.
Lupe Fiasco loves preaching in a fun and engaging way, which is one of the main reasons I became a fan of his. In Samurai, he discusses gaining confidence, honing skills, and being aware of your surroundings in very indirect and complex ways. If you really want to understand his message, I highly recommend looking up the project on Genius.
Lupe Fiasco is rapping better than he’s ever rapped before. His wordplay, punchlines, flows, confidence, and purpose on the mic are all at an A+ level. In fact, he’s rapping so well that he might have to register his pen and pad as weapons. I kid you not: I heard some of the best rapping I’ve ever heard in my life on this album.
One of my biggest complaints about this album is the hooks: I think they are trash. Some feel lackluster, while others are just plain ol’ weird. I get it, Lupe Fiasco wanted to be extra clever in this department, but to me, clever doesn’t translate to enjoyable.
I’m going to have to walk away from my computer.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
