Review
Lupe Fiasco blows listeners away with ‘Lasers’
April 14, 2011
The raging world of music is changing nearly every single day. Yet, in the rapping world, I have personally found what almost seems to be a certain level of complacency amongst mainstream rappers, many of which are producing track after track which seemingly all sound the same.
However, in Chicago-based rapper Lupe Fiasco a new voice of reason has been found. A new mentality in the world of tasteless rap, and a seldom seen and even less often heard point of view in the rap industry of today can be heard.
Lupe Fiasco speaks straight from the heart and produces emotional music with actual social relevancy and meaning people can easily relate with.
It seems Lupe has found a niche in the rap world with this devotion to emotional appeal. In my mind, Lupe comes off as a regular person with extraordinary talent, but has the professional composure that doesn’t taint his music one bit. His music is rich, melodic, relevant and always fresh.
Holding true to his name, Fiasco just recently released the socially relevant up-and-coming album known simply as “Lasers.” On first listen to this album, and to no real surprise, it is difficult to find a bad song with every single song being really quite freaking good.
The album mixes powerful yet meaningful lyrics with soulful dance melodies, and the very addicting rhythms often found in Fiasco’s music.
If I had to pick out a few of the impressive tracks found on album that you must absolutely hear, I would have to focus in on “Beautiful Lasers,” “Words I Never Said,” “The Show Goes On,” and most certainly the hit track “Till I Get There.” The beauty of the songs just has to be the uniqueness and specificity of each ones particular compositions and lyrics. To start, each of the songs “The Show Goes On” and “Beautiful Lasers” bring to the table great sing-along types of hits. “Till I Get There” helps start off the album with a what seems to be that classic and perfect pop song, with backing piano melodies and lyrics that just get your head nodding and naturally put a smile on your face.
With “Words I Never Said” Fiasco drops in a heavy synthesizer and again adds in some piano for effect. Aside from this, Fiasco touches extensively on the ongoing issues with politics, and offers a lyrical masterpiece to the listeners. Hands down, this is one hell of a song and deserves a thorough listen from anyone who enjoys rap.
Fiasco will find a way to get in your head and in your heart, and pull out the emotions he was shooting for. If you don’t have any sense of connection to his perspectives and sheer emotion present in his music, you need to check your pulse, you’re simply not human. Even if you don’t like rap/hip-hop, you really owe it to yourself to give this album a listen, as its just a great listen through and through.
Ryen Kleiser is a laid back biology student at UW-River Falls. He is hoping to become a well-known marine biologist and teacher.