Sound: Observant and uplifting hip hop with a big, cinematic feel. Whether incorporating soul, r&b, jazz or funk rock, the often-vintage sounds are driven by thick layers of strings and a triumphant, underdog aesthetic.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “Kick, Push”; “Daydreamin’” featuring Jill Scott; “American Terrorist” featuring Matthew Santos; “Real” featuring Sarah Green
Medium Rotation tracks: “Just Might Be OK” featuring Gemini; “He Say, She Say” featuring Gemini and Sarah Green; “The Instrumental” featuring Jonah Matranga
Explicit Lyrics*: “Intro,” “I Gotcha,” “Daydreamin’,” “The Cool,” “Hurt Me Soul,” “Pressure,” “American Terrorist,” “The Emperor’s Soundtrack”
Recommended: If you like your hip hop street savvy but more positive and sincere than most of today’s mainstream artists. The anthemic, largeness of Food & Liquor can wear on you after awhile, but Lupe Fiasco is one of the best new MCs in the game.
Grade: A-

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* Noting of explicit lyrics is for the benefit of radio music directors or anyone else that needs/wants to keep their music FCC-friendly.