My 10 Favorite Hip-Hop Artists: Part I, "Lupe Fiasco"

I feel like I owe something of a debt to Lupe Fiasco. He's the reason I got into hip-hop. Sure, growing up I had a few rap albums (Willenium, Nellyville, Snoop's R&G), but they never inspired me to listen intently, to decipher the meaning and marvel at how an artist's cadence and flow become another instrument intertwined with the beat.

That was Lupe.

The day after my 16th Birthday, Lupe released his debut album Food & Liquor. Armed with a new iTunes gift card, I downloaded the album on a lark after reading User Reviews about how amazing it was. It didn't disappoint.

Lupe's second effort, The Cool, may be my favorite rap album of all time. I still play it from front-to-back without skipping (a sign of a true classic) at least once every other week. It was this album that really began to open me up to the true art hip-hop can offer its listeners. I became bewildered by the scenes the emcee could bring to life, using symbolism and metaphors that would make a high-school English teacher giddy.

Point-blank, Lupe is a nerd. He's super lyrical. His first hit was a skateboarding love story. He's proactive and takes a stand on real issues. When he raps about guns and drugs, he does so like a National reporter, not a faux 50 Cent. And he may be the first great rapper of a new generation.

You May Have Heard: Superstar - Lupe Fiasco

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(I had a lot of issues limiting the tracks to share with you, so I recruited 2 of the biggest Hip-Hop Heads I know, to offer up their personal favorites).

MFP's Required Listening: Album: Lupe Fiasco's The Cool.

Song: Kick, Push

Zack's Tracks: Hip Hop Saved My Life, Put You On Game, Gold Watch

Sid's Selections: Hurt Me Soul, Can You Let Me Know

My 10 Favorite Hip-Hop Artists

I've been in a listing mood lately. For whatever reason, people love lists. They can help bring order to chaos and quantify what is otherwise uncountable. Myself, I love allowing my big mouth to throw my opinions out there, at least when it comes to what I know (or what I think I know).

Before I start, I'll throw out my Honorable Mentions. I wouldn't feel right not giving a shout out to these great artists: KRS-One. Rakim. Outkast. Chuck D. The Roots. Common. Lauryn Hill. Black Star. Redman & Method Man. The Wu-Tang Clan. Kanye West.

Now without further ado, and in no particular order, my 10 favorite Hip-Hop Artists.

10. Lupe Fiasco

09. Big Pun

08. Big L

07. Joe Budden

06. Busta Rhymes

05. Nas

04. Jay-Z

03. Eminem

02. The Notorious B.I.G. /Biggie Smalls

01. Tupac Shakur / 2Pac

I'll cover each one in individual postings. Just wanted to give a little taste of where my mind's at right now.

Music Videos: Misery/Words I Never Said

The timing for my 100 List couldn't be better; this post is my 99th, meaning my next will be celebrating the 100th with my 100.

So, I'm sharing a couple music videos I just saw for the first time this week. The first is Misery, from Maroon 5. I checked it out after "The Voice" had me listening to the 4 coaches on YouTube. The video is best summarized as, simply put, Hot & Hilarious. A gorgeous, tiny little badass girl basically kicks the crap out of Adam Levine. Highly entertaining

Words I Never Said, from Lupe's "LASERS," was just released on the Interwebs today. Its got some awesome visuals to go with one of the heavier songs from Lupe's latest.

Also, expect a rant on Steve Carell's last episode on The Office, and those who will be throwing their hat into the ring (Gob? "COME ON!")

Hip-Hop Thursday

"State Run Radio"- Lupe Fiasco

I've been playing LASERS almost non-stop this week. This track especially has been playing over and over again (See what I did there?). Lupe's execution of weaving the double meaning of the song just blows me away. On the surface its about the repetitive nature of pop radio. Beneath it challenges the corruptive nature of government and the struggle for power. Wasalu is Great Music.

Friday Grab-Bag

Heading into the Weekend and I have some tracks for you, as promised...

"All Black Everything"- Lupe Fiasco (Hip-Hop)

LASERS (Love Always Shines Everytime Remember 2 Smile), my most anticipated album, possibly ever, is creeping closer and closer each day. This track, "All Black Everything," is rumored to be Lupe's favorite track off the album, and also his favorite he's ever done. I'm not sure thats true, but I wouldn't be surprised. The lyrics are doper than hell. Just unreal. This is why he's the Beat Rapper Alive, and Top 5 Ever.

"Cause racism has no context

Hip hop ain’t got a section called conscious

Everybody rappin’ like crack never happened

Crips never occurred no Bloods to attack them

Matter of fact no hood to attack in

Somalia is a great place to relax in

Fred Astaire was the first to do a backspin

The Rat Pack was cool group of black men

That inspired five white guys called The Jacksons

Eminem fitted in but then again he inspired a black rapper tryin' to mimic him

And that’s what really rose up out of Michigan,

the sign of white rapper by the name of 50 Cent, ha!"

"Instant Karma!" - John Lennon (Rock)

My favorite fact about this track- On its side of the 45-Single, it says, "Play Loud." On the reverse side, a single by Yoko about the wind, it asks the listener to "Play Soft." Classic Lennon. Guy was miles ahead of everyone else.

"Green Light" - John Legend feat. Andre 3000 (R&B)

This was originally going to be a song from Wake Up!, the album Legend did with the Roots this past year. Odds on favorite was the song I thought should have been the Oscar Winner of Best Original Song, Shine. BUT... Andre 3000 is just too damn cool. And Andre appearances are as rare as they are breathtaking-- so its essential to enjoy them to their fullest. Oh, and John Legend's kind of a good singer...