Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool

2007Lupe Fiasco Atlantic The South Rises Chicago

Music video"Dumb It Down" - Lupe Fiasco (Music Video)

Music videos Official videos via YouTube

"Dumb It Down" - Lupe Fiasco (Music Video)

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“Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool” is the second studio album by Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco, released on December 18, 2007, through 1st & 15th Entertainment and Atlantic Records.

The story

The album expands on “The Cool,” a song from his debut “Food & Liquor,” into a full concept record. Its central figures are personified ideas: The Cool, a young hustler; The Streets, portrayed as a woman; and The Game, representing the hustler mindset. Fiasco made the record during what he called a very dark period, marked by the death of his father, the killing of his friend Stack Bundles, and a long prison sentence handed to his mentor Charles Patton.

Sound and production

Longtime collaborator Soundtrakk anchored the production, with contributions from The Buchanans, Unkle and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, among others. The lead single “Superstar,” featuring singer Matthew Santos and produced by Soundtrakk, reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Fiasco’s first top-ten hit.

Legacy

The album debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 with about 143,000 copies sold and rose to No. 14 the following week. It was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2009 Grammy Awards, and “Superstar” was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Critics praised its ambition and storytelling, and the RIAA certified it platinum in 2022.

Tracklist & credits

1
Baba Says Cool For Thought
0:46
2
Free Chilly
1:02
3
Go Go Gadget FlowProd. Soundtrakk
4:10
4
The CoolestProd. Chris Paultrie, Derrick Braxton
5:12
5
SuperstarProd. Soundtrakk
4:48
6
Paris, TokyoProd. Soundtrakk
4:30
7
Hi-DefinitionProd. Al Shux
3:51
8
Gold WatchProd. Chris Paultrie, Derrick Braxton
4:12
9
Hip-Hop Saved My LifeProd. Soundtrakk
4:02
10
Intruder AlertProd. Soundtrakk
4:00
11
Streets On FireProd. Chris Paultrie, Derrick Braxton
4:39
12
Little WeaponProd. Patrick Stump
4:05
13
Gotta EatProd. Soundtrakk
3:24
14
Dumb It DownProd. Soundtrakk
4:03
15
Hello/Goodbye (Uncool)Prod. Chris Goss, Lupe Fiasco, UNKLE
4:26
16
The DieProd. Soundtrakk
3:23
17
Put You On GameProd. Simonsayz
3:02
18
FightersProd. Le Messie
3:33
19
Go BabyProd. Soundtrakk
3:38

Tracklist and producer credits: Discogs. Gear credits: Breakbeat Archive, sourced on each credit.

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Released December 18, 2007. More from hip hop in 2007.

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