Tetsuo & Youth (studio album) by Lupe Fiasco

This is the best lyrical album of all time as far as I'm concerned. It's in my top 5 hip hop albums as a result. Highlights are: Mural, Prisoner 1&2, Madonna, Adoration of the Magi

From zdwyatt 09/04/2015 15:19

He wasn't really on my radar prior to this album, so I can't speak to criticisms that this release is self-indulgent. I have heard the word "earnest" thrown around a bit, which I gather is meant derisively. The lyrics are pretty obviously inspired by his time growing up in the city and there is a seriousness to them. But I consider that a strength, as I do prefer my music to have some weight to it.

From zags7000 06/19/2015 07:35

Clearly his best since Food & Liquor. After two underwhelming albums it is nice to see him back with great quality. Mural is really an instant classic in terms of great hip hop songs.

From FlorianJones 03/29/2015 06:16

I won't rate it, because I honestly couldn't get through the whole thing, very long and in spots its so overproduced it's absolutely cringeworthy. However, "Mural" is insane, one of the best rap songs of the decade.

Lemme say this much I didnt have much expectations going into this album, F&L2 and Lasers made me gag. I didn't think he could math the lyical and productional qualuity that he displayed on the cool and F&L 1 ever again. But I was very pleasently surprised by this album. The lyrics are excellent and always intrigues just what you expect but what really surprised me was his flow, just pure ecstacy. "Mural" IMO is his best song ever, 9 minutes of just straight bars. Production is top notch as well. I think I'd put this right ahead of "The Cool" as his 2nd best album. VERY SOLID 8.5/10

From Hayden 02/13/2015 02:27

Lupe's best album without a doubt. 'Mural' might be his best song to date too.

Lupe has always been my one of my favourite rappers but I was starting to get a bit disappointed, thinking that he's never going to be able to return to the quality of "the cool" and "food and liquor." but he has easily surpassed those with this album

Top Rap 10 album of the last 5 years

From Skinny 01/28/2015 20:41

An overly earnest, cloyingly produced, self-important RapGenius subscriber's wet dream, with laughable hooks, nonsensical lyrics, and a load of A-level philosophy and quasi-religious rambling stretched out unnecessarily over the best part of an hour and a half. This shit walks a tightrope between goofy and self-righteous, and - as a general rule of thumb - that's a horrible line to tread. Also, just because shit doesn't make complete sense initially, or because there are "layers" (albeit not nearly as subtle layers as Lupe would like to think), it doesn't mean you're automatically Aesop Rock all of a sudden. And seriously, the wannabe-cinematic stylings and tolerance-trying runtime would be enough to make 2010 Kanye blush. And yet... this shit is still better than anything Lupe's done since his debut. Lupe likes to talk in BIG CONCEPTS, and then help the medicine go down with a spoonful of PERSONAL QUIRKS. It's pretty embarrassing, frankly.

From r0gueleader 01/21/2015 03:25

Great album. A return to form for Lupe!