LUPE FIASCO
Lupe Fiasco's The Cool: A-

''The bulk of this CD [indulges] in Fiasco's divergent themes and musical explorations. Want self-righteous anger? See 'Dumb It Down,' where he imitates fellow rappers and white execs urging him to get crass ('Pour champagne on the b---- !' he bellows satirically). Want blistering social commentary? Check out 'Little Weapon,' which conflates videogame violence with the real stuff. Want wistfulness? 'Fighters' laments that 'when the fighters are all around, all the lovers are underground.' Want bubblegum? Head to the album's climax, the goofy, girl-crazy 'Go Baby Go.''' —Chris Willman

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