Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco’s much anticipated album Food & Liquor II: The Great American Album Pt. 1, is exactly that.  This is Lupe’s fourth studio album, which will be followed by a Pt. 2 by the same name.  The album follows suit with many of his others, in being more than just mindless raps, but lyrical poetry.

Of course, with a Lupe album the lyrics are the main focus. “Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free)” was the first single released off of the album.  This single, along with “Bitch Bad” and “Lamborghini Angels,” are lyrically charged anthems that bash societies’ vices rather than praise them, like most rappers do.  Topics such as, drug, alcohol and sexual abuse, and derogatory names for women are de-glorified.

The album features collaborations with some other artists and rappers, adding to Lupe’s solid lyrics. He takes the Rap game to a new level of awareness and this album just reinforces that.  This one-of-kind rapper doesn’t disappoint in his fourth album.  Powerful messages, met with catchy beats are sure to please Lupe fans.

Rating: 4.5 stars