An Open Letter to Lupe Fiasco...

Dear Lupe,

How are you? How’s your deen? How’s your pet robot? Does it still have an outbreak of hoes on its toes? Gross.

So, your new album, Lasers, sold over 200,000 units in its first week of release (those are Nikki Minaj numbers!), debuted at the number 1 spot on the US Billboard 200 chart, and has held down the number 1 spot on the Rap Album chart for 3 weeks now. The single, “Show Goes On” has been certified Gold and is currently at number 9 on the Billboard Rap chart and climbing. These are huge numbers for you, record-breaking numbers in most cases, and while we are happy for you, we just wanted to make sure that you don’t make the mistake of believing that the album’s performance means that it is actually good. It’s not.

First, let us just say that we are big fans, so that’s not what this is about. Food & Liqor and The Cool are great albums, and we had such high hopes for this one. We remember being disappointed when “Shining Down” came out. We thought, “well, this just sounds like he is trying to duplicate “Superstar.” Then, “I’m Beaming” came out and we thought, “well, that’s better, but it’s still not quite good enough for Lasers.” Then, Lasers actually came out and we desperately wished that either of those songs would have made the cut to displace any of the crap that was actually included.

This album is soft, euro-pop, electro bullshit, and it’s not even good soft, euro-pop, electro bullshit! It’s boring! Alex Da Kid and Skylar Grey are the worst thing to happen to hip-hop since Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, and yet they somehow made one of the most interesting songs on the album (and, again, don’t mistake this to mean that the song is actually good. It’s not.). The reason this barely mediocre song is worth listening to is because it contains the last tiny glimpse of the impressive, controversial, and thought-provoking lyrics for which you are (or, at least, were) known and respected. Other than that, the lyrics are simple, corny, and overly-inspirational nonsense.

Whether it be a Black Eye Peas knock-off that would even make apl.de.ap cringe, a song where Trey Songs outshines you lyrically, or a string of 3 or 4 tracks towards the end of the album that make finishing the record a test of endurance for even the most dedicated Lupe Fiasco fan, it becomes evident why the rapper that many once considered to be the best couldn't even beat out B.O.B to get on "Nothin' On You". Point blank, this music is bad. However, so far its success is unparalleled for you. So the question becomes whether or not you go back to making good music or continue to sacrifice your artistry to move units.

When the album first leaked, the people that rushed to hear it were your fans, and the feedback was bad. At that point, you seemed to get the message. Then, the official release came, the numbers were good, and you seemed to change your tune real quick! But even though the album has been successful and you have gained exposure to a new audience, you have done so at the expense of your old one! Your fans fought for this album. They signed petitions and organized protests to get it released. Now, there is actually a petition to re-shelve it! You said that this album belonged to the fans as if that is a good thing! We don’t want it!

Our intent in writing this letter is to be mean or hurtful. We just feel it’s important that we are stern with you, so that you understand what you did is not ok. Hopefully, you will learn your lesson. “Go to Sleep” is a good song and a good start for Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album. We can’t help but feel hopeful for this album. Don’t let us down again!

That’s all. Tell Chilly we said hi.

Best,

What’s N-X-E-T