After a year-long struggle with Atlantic Records, Lupe Fiasco released his much-anticipated album Lasers this past week. With material leaked as early as summer 2009, fans have longed for a new album since the four-time Grammy nominated The Cool rocked the hip-hop community in 2007. Despite the hype, the fast-paced socially conscious raps that once defined Lupe Fiasco as a beacon of light to the hip-hop genre come at a cost on his newest album. In light of the music industry's views on what constitutes a good album, Fiasco sacrifices his authenticity for a pop sound that delivers halfheartedly. Although not a sell out, Lasers leaves listeners wanting more of the abrasive, in-your-face hip-hop that makes Lupe Fiasco a major figure in the hip-hop industry.
The production and release of Lasers was an uphill struggle from the beginning. Originally intended to be a three-disc album entitled LupE.N.D., the album was scrapped and Lupe went back to writing the lyrical hooks that make his music worth listening to on repeat. And then B.o.B. emerged, hypnotizing radio stations across America with "Nothing on You." Fiasco quickly found himself under pressure to create a sound similar to Bobby Ray, mixing pop and hip-hop to top the billboard charts. Atlantic delayed the release of Lasers until changes were made, leading to a fan-submitted petition signed by more than 30,000 fans to force the finished album's release. A protest was organized Oct. 15 outside Atlantic headquarters. After months of negotiating and compromising, Lasers is here, and the struggle shows.
The influence of modern hip-hop stars such as KiD CuDi and B.o.B. shine brightly throughout Lasers. Although Lupe's cultural criticisms flicker dim relative to The Cool and his debut album Food & Liquor, Lasers is a highly enjoyable album. Songs such as "Till I Get There" and "I Don't Wanna Care Right Now" are upbeat and downright catchy. "The Show Goes On," the first single from the album, even features a hook from Modest Mouse's "Float On." The labor put into Lasers glistens in the lyrics, which are as witty as they've ever been. Lupe's rap in "Never Forget You," which features the melt-you-into-your-chair smooth voice of John Legend, ends the album triumphantly with the resolution of optimism - the album's main theme.
For all the synth sounds and pop percussion that surround Lasers, there is a more intricate side of the story - the side of depression, frustration, disappointment and stagnation. Exploring these themes made the skateboarding Muslim street punk from Chicago pick up a microphone and preach a new gospel of hip-hop. Lupe Fiasco's frustration with the current state of black America, particularly within the hip-hop community, and his artful response to it through rap made his earlier albums revitalizing manifestos. This strong-willed new take on hip-hop flows through in songs such as "Words I Never Said," "Beautiful Lasers (2 Way)" and "State Run Radio." If the entire album had been composed of songs like these, there is no doubt Lupe would have begun to emerge as powerful of a voice to the music community as Kanye West - but without the self-absorption.
Lasers works well as an album. Yet, after repeated listens, it begins to call out for more. Lupe's controversial critiques demand more than an album like Lasers can provide. Lupe Fiasco is already deep into creating his next album, The Great American Rap Album. If Lupe can go back to his musical roots and avoid drama from record labels, the sky is the limit. But for now, Lasers may not be a masterpiece, but works well as a fine album that is a must have for anyone that wants to hear some of the best hip-hop available.
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