Flame Thrower: Lupe Fiasco
Why He's Hot
With swagger that lays somewhere between dope-boy fresh and Louis-Viutton-Don dapper, "He spat the poems that got their domes all geeked up." Did Lupe have a legitimate gripe about being totally ignored by the Brain Trust during last year's list and subsequent sidebar convos? Absolutely. Did the trustees tell the world that their list was neither perfect nor definitive? Absolutely. Nevertheless, Lupe made it impossible to overlook him this time (and not just because of the support he's getting from his peers). A little less arcane and definitely darker than 2006's Food and Liquor, his The Cool LP borders on classic contention. His blatant sarcasm didn't sacrifice his lyrical legerdemain on "Dumb It Down." The articulation of emotion and attention to detail on "Hip-Hop Saved My Life" makes the song easily one of 2008's most cherished, and the ample airplay for "Superstar" and many weeks as Billboard's top rap record re-established Lu's nascent star power.
The coolest thing about The Cool was that Lupe was able to maintain his rap incorruptibility when recording it. Fiasco just didn't care that the over-the-headness of some of his lyrical bars may have reaped disparagement from critics or fans — but since The Cool is already certified gold, it's obviously caught some ears. The Chicago native's profile is higher than its ever been: Late last year he top-lined his own tour, and this spring Fiasco has become such an attraction that fans are getting to venues early to catch his opening act on Kanye West's Glow in the Dark Tour.
Co-Signer: T.I.
"I wanted to work with him because of his fearlessness when it comes to his music. He's got swag. It's not the same swag — by definition — as I have, but he has it. He's not trying to fit in with other people. He's carving out his own lane. You gotta respect him for that — and he's skillful."
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