Not really sure why everyone is such a big fan of him.. I think he's decent. I like Obie Trice's style a lot more.. I think I just don't like Lupe's beats. Gonna be hard to blow up without songs you can't play in the clubs.
I have not heard it but If it don't bump . . you don't blow up Flow and Lyrics are like last on most people's mind Music/Beats are 1st and formost You music/beats/ sound is like 75% of whether you blow up or not Rocket River
Exactly why I like it, it's for the 'educated' hip-hop fan who's more interested in content than a 'hot beat' to dance to at your local club. There is enough of that garbage out there to satisfy the market; this album tries to fill that 'other' void. Oh, btw, the album is selling very well. I tried a couple of stores to get it and it was sold out, then finally was able to buy it at a Circuit City store. I think it was #1 on the charts when it first came out, but I might be wrong. So yes, if you prefer the "money, hoes, and cars" branch of hip-hop, this isn't for you...but this album does have pretty good and unique beats. It has an 'eastern' flavor to it.
So if someone doesn't like him and prefers a 50 Cent/Eminem, they're not an educated hip-hop fan? If only I was educated, I'd love songs about skating. Kick, push away though.
but you specifically mentioned club songs. I agree with tigermission, there are enough songs for the club, this album ain't for that. and he's right, sales are good, I couldn't get it at the bestbuy by my home. lupe is a movement. unlike DIPSET.
I said I didn't like him, I never said he wouldn't amount to anything. I also wouldn't call other people who don't like the rappers I like uneducated hip-hop fans. I do have a hard time believing he'll get as big as all of you are hyping him up to be. Nas puts out more lyric songs than "club songs" - but how often do you hear him on the radio? The truth is like RR said, if you want to make it big in the hip-hop industry, beats/delivery come first, with lyrics second. Lupe might make some money, but it will take a lot to become the next Nas. And even then, you'll hear the Eminems/50 Cents/etc. on the radio 50x as much.
I don't think any of these rap acts are more "educated" than another. You have to be pretty sharp and quick minded to come up with most rap lyrics. I've seen a documentary on Jay-Z and what I realized watching it is that he's a musical genius. I think Lupe and others like Dead Prez and Nas tend to have more socially conscious lyrics more than anything. To them its more important having something to say other than talking about riches.
i thought the album was good but far from great. i think he'd be much better if he didn't sound so much like jay-z. if he had an original style he would probably be higher up in my books. i thought the lyrical content was good but nowhere near the level you get when nas, common, or black thought drop an album. i think the best song on the album by far is "the cool". unique concept, strange but great at the same time.
I really don't give a damn about how big he is. nas's best album is illmatic and it took ten years to go platinum. why would I concern myself with someone's record sales. if you judge success by record sales, maybe you are an uneducated rap fan.
I bought the first 5 roots albums. black thought is probably the most overrated emcee in hip hop, and that's coming from a fan. dice raw's apperances on roots albums are greater than black thought's lyrics. Now common lives up to the hype. but I still find lupe a bit more complex and advanced. his whole album he doesn't drop off on content on lyrical style or subject matter. to me its the most complex album lyrically I've heard since Illmatic. but that's just my opinion.
lisent to sum z-ro hes got great music just like 2pac the best rapper out by far its a shame he hasnt blown up
Ditto. And no, I am not putting down anyone who likes 'club songs', I listen to them as well from time to time. But as I said, that market is already flooded, some good but the vast majority is garbage (I don't think I need to give you any examples, you know what I am referring to). As for people like Nas and Lupe and Talib Kweli amongst others, they're rappers with a social conscious, and while they might never be as rich as 50 Cent or have a 10 car garage, it's not because they lack skills to do it...they just might not want to be regarded as yet another 'dime a dozen' rapper who raps about the materialistic things in life. It's just that this market is so underserved and 'neglected' by so many rappers, that it's almost 'news' when someone tries to break the mold and introduce work with some lyrical content for a change. Listen to the whole album, every track has something to offer, it's not just a 'hot beat' to dance to. It's one of the few albums I have that I can listen to without skipping tracks. The lyrics are up there with the best of them. It's something that even non-hip hop fans can appreciate (I know some of them first hand). I am with pgabriel on this one...it's already on my 'top ten' list. As far as lyrics are concerned, my favorites are "Hurt me Soul" and "American Terrorist":
Maybe he will with this video off of Trae's album: Have you listened to Z-Ro's new songs?: http://www.myspace.com/rapalotmusic
LUPE WILL BE PERFORMING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON ON OCTOBER 30, 2006! it will be my 4th time seeing him perform live!
