Columbia College graduate Jonathan McReynolds performs “I Love You” song. Reynolds recently released his gospel album “Life Music.”
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Lupe Fiasco visits Chicago for album release
Fans around the city of Chicago waited for Lupe Fiasco’s arrival on Monday Oct. 1 at Columbia College Chicago and at the nearby F.Y.E. store. Lupe stopped by Columbia at 3 p.m. for a Q. and A. with students, then proceeded to F.Y.E. around 6 p.m. for a meet and greet.
In a Facebook post, F.Y.E. told all fans they needed to purchase a copy of “Food and Liquor II” to have guaranteed access to meet the rap star. Purchasers received a blue wristband. Fans with album posters could be seen gathering at the store as early as 4 p.m., waiting to meet their favorite rapper. One fan even had Lupe’s album art painted on her fingernails.
Earlier that day, Lupe tweeted that he wasn’t signing the new album because it would take away from the meaning of the album. Instead, he signed black cards for fans to put inside of the album. The wait was worthwhile, fans were ecstatic, and the album definitely didn’t disappoint.
Food and Liquor II delivers poetry and witty lyrics mixed with hip hop beats out of this world. There is no question that Lupe had control over his music content in this album. He tackles issues such as the fatal shootings of Trayvon Martin and Rekia Boyd as well as the deaths of Emmett Till and Malice Green. This album reminds me of his second album, “The Cool.” Ayesha breaks down the struggle to survive in America in the intro “Ayesha Says….”
“Cause your soul is dessert and will be dissected and consumed on the FOX evening news. While we sing the blues the new Jim Crow caged bird sings, because he’s tired of occupying his misery and of our marching. He wanna fly to a higher consciousness.”
Ayesha continues…
“Those who used to have, have not. Pensions being snatched, those who never have keep their hands stretched. Social services being cut, sterilization clinics giving out pills to numb the womb, young girls referring to their vagina’s as tombs.”
I love that Lupe’s music makes you think. It’s no question that he speaks his mind.
Another great hit, “Around My Way,” captures the listener’s attention with smooth jazz melodies. This track is a sample from rappers Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) hit. In the track, Lupe talks about how America treats other countries.
“And we marvel at the state of Ottoman, then turn around and treat Ghana like a garbage can. America’s a big motherf****n’ garbageman. If you ain’t know, you’re part and parcel of the problem.”
Lupe told Hot 97 radio that he made the hit “B***h Bad” so young girls won’t be influenced by songs that portray the term “bad b***h” in a positive way. He says Meek Mills’ song “Amen,” which begins saying ‘It’s some bad bit**es in the building,’ has a completely different meaning from his song. The link to the video is below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB9VBZMofkQ
Lupe Fiasco is definitely a role model to me because of his positive lyrics. He raps to uplift those who struggle and those who are lost; he doesn’t have to conform to the norm. Even in this digital era where a person can just download songs, I still lined up to purchase his CD because it is indeed a classic work of art.
Fans around the city of Chicago waited for Lupe Fiasco’s arrival on Monday Oct. 1 at Columbia College and at the nearby F.Y.E. store. Lupe stopped by Columbia at 3 p.m. for a Q. and A. with students, then proceeded to F.Y.E. around 6 p.m. for a meet and greet. (JET mag Photo-Geoffrey Black)
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