LupeFiasco-DopeDoyzftWaleKardinalOfishall.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”)
About Artist: Lupe Fiasco is Chicago rapper who came up under Kanye West and was hailed as the next generation of hip hop. Lupe is possibly the best lyricist in rap and has a unique positive outlook rapping about education and hard work instead of gangsta shit. Lupe recently released a mixtape called “Enemy of the State a Love Story” which got only minimal attention. Lupe’s third album is due out this winter and looks like it may be quite a bit different than his last two albums both of which were met with crtical acclaim. Also on this track is Wale, from DC and who is awesome! and Kardinal Offishal who is just ok.
About Song: This song is off the 2008 Lupe mixtape “Overlooked Vol. 2” which is a great tape if you haven’t heard it already. It’s got a lot of features but has some good songs.
Favorite Verse: Lupe’s verse (the first verse) is awesome with the way he uses animal names.
Favorite Line: By far Lupe’s verse has the cleverest lines but I also really like how Kardinal says (third verse) “I ain’t pushed no rock in about nine months, I’ve swicthed genres to ganja” and later “I’m the Bob Barker of the track and field I don’t sprint, just boost when I feel…and the hooks so real”. Which has a great rythem to it and which I hear as a double meaning with cell phone carriers Sprint and Boost Mobile.
Other: This cover, obviously, uses the instrumental from the classic Hip Hop track “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” by Pete Rock and CL Smooth. It’s obvious listening to the words but one thing that I didn’t get until after a few listens was that the song is all about being drug free.
Lupe Fiasco Wikipedia