Cap’n Jazz so I assume you only said that cause you were triggered by my comment? It’s a lame joke anyways, and it’s overused as hell by now...that’s what is described as a dead meme.
It boggles my mind that he doesn’t know who Nikki Jean is and how “stack that cheese” is a reference to “hip hop saved my life” did you ever listen to the cool, melon?
Bruh he reviews like 80 albums a year of multiple genres food and liquor is a classic but your being ignorant if you can't understand why he might not remember a track from 12 years ago
You totally missed the mark about the slaves hitting the bottom of the ocean. They are given the ability to breathe hence why the song Down is what it is
Not just alive under water, but sinking fucking slave ships and helping the slaves intergrate into their new society, that's why Down fits so perfectly after it, cause they turning that bitch into Atlantis. He should've waited longer to review this.
AND some of the slaves ascended into heaven after ripping the stars a new one for helping the slave traders. It was as good a reality as anything was on the entire project. Seriously, such a massive misunderstanding makes me earnestly believe he only listened to it once, barely.
@@TheTinyTimmyTimTim not just the stars, the ocean, the woods, all get a piece of these hands as well. Fantano should have just stayed away from this album tbh, doesn't have the time to give it proper attention
I get the whole meta-narrative Lupe tried to construct here, but Melon s right. He doesn’t nail it, not even close. This isn’t TPAB level execution or Illmatic or Ready to Die..... hell its not even on par with ‘The Cool’ in terms of delivering on its premise. If the Long Chains and it’s narrative or conceptual premise was pushed to the seams, it could’ve been utterly superb but it’s not, it’s just pretty good with a lot of potential left on the cutting floor.
Honestly, shout out to Lupe for keeping on with relatively solid releases so consistently. He’s pretty far off from his heights of popularity, and has claimed retirement a few too many times, which has definitely impacted how people view him. That said, he’s been releasing music of pretty damn high quality for years now, has no major scandals to speak of, and is really just focused on his art, which I really, really respect.
@@cooliebwoy415 Nah, he's been black balled by Atlantic for over a decade. That's why . People keep forgetting tetsuo and youth was forced out because anonymous threatened Atlantic. He's literally had one of the worst record deals experience, you would be bitter to. But he's clear being black balled.
Khadeem Duinkerk I realize that but he doesn't gain any favor by going on rants about how Kendrick Lamar is stealing his style. There is literally an entire article that discusses about the history of lupes Twitter beefs and he made a video apologizing t to all those people when the DW dropped
I feel like this review was not very well prepared. I mean, "no real main theme" that's fucking insane. How could you possibly arrive to that conclusion? The theme is in the title of the freaking album!
For me this album is a 10. There is a core concept that ties both halves of the album, that of the power of myth. The 'forever' mythos, the long chains mythos, the mythology of the drug life and lupes own mythos
Wow, did Melon really miss the entire narrative about the longchains and revival in the album? Or how Stack that Cheese is a throwback to Hip Hop Saved My Life?
It is indeed disappointing for someone to critique something without understanding the context. He has never heard of Nikki Jean? Has he ever listen to a Lupe album?? Oh well, I love this album alot, and that's what matters
I had to pause when you said the album didn't have a consistent theme. I'm sorry, but with the review being this late, everyone has already figured it out. its about resurrection. The longchains were resurrected, alan was resurrected, jonylah was resurrected, Lupe resurrected himself from atlantic records (atlantic slave trade) on the track imagine, timbuck2 is a Chicago DJ that died in 2015, etc. The album is called DROGAS (spanish for drugs) Wave, not "Lupe fiasco and the drowned slaves". It's not about them, they are one aspect of the larger theme, resurrection. Saying it doesn't have a theme is flat out wrong. Whatever you think of the album sonically is your prerogative, but you are objectively incorrect here. Like you didn't even understand what WAV files was about. That was not an awful reality. You seemed to have forgot that song in between the slaveship interlude and down. Wav files ends with them forgiving the stars for their transgressions, some ascending to heaven. How is that a bad place to switch to the happier themes of down?
Way before he ever addressed this on twitter, it was obvious after a few more spins. When this review was late, fantano was on twitter talking about how it's a long album and it's going to take time to review...well what was the point of that? He's not dumb, not at all, so how did that completely go over his head even after lupe straight up said it on twitter.
I think he missed the part where the slaves started living underwater because then Down would make sense to him. Its supposed to be happy because the slaves have come to accept their new life and now they are happy. So Manilla to Down is the story of the slaves then Haile Salassie is a transition then Alan Forever starts the second part of the album that focus on the present day.
TheTinyTimmyTimTim I don't think you understood what I'm trying to say. It's just a common theme in most Lupe works, that usually just happen organically because of his nature. It isn't always so deliberate, and not really a central focus. I think he could've emphasized it more for it to click with others. Also, Anthony listens to a million different albums, he can't take all the time in the world dissecting one.
No i completely understood what you said. You cannot claim lupe explicitly says he's a certain thing, then chalk up that theme appearing in this album to coincidence or musical instinct. It's 100% deliberate, and songs like imagine even being on there is proof. It's not a product of his general music making process. It's a theme he consciously inserted to the work, and the only one that is present in it's entire run time, though you can make an argument for the DROGAS aspect of it. I'm aware he has a lot of music to listen too. Thats why this review is almost 2 weeks late. Isn't that the point? This is a review you could of put out after 1 listen on release day.
This is my AotY after 16 listens. On first listen it was good, about 7/10. On the fifth, as certain lyrics started to connect thematically together to other lines on this and previous projects, it became a 10. After choosing to join my brothers on their eternal patrol of the Atlantic it had officially changed my life. Fear the LongChains. 11/10
Homie did the longchains shit go completely over your head? Even if you ignore his Reddit explanation it's still very strong in the first chunk. It's not just Down, the whole first segment is a revisionist fantasy.
You missed so much with this project and tetsuo and youth. There is no point in reviewing lupe projects if you are not going to do the necessary work. 7 for both is just wrong. Not 10 but come on...
The Great Rudini drogas light he admitted was alot of crap songs that were old bc of issues w his label i think bc i dont really like it or think it was trash
i heard about that, but how many years is lupe gonna use that excuse. dont get me wrong, i like this album and i kinda like drogas light, but that label excuse is getting a little tired. but thats just my opinion.
I think you may have missed a couple themes good sir. 1. Down is not just a song about being at the bottom of the ocean. The concept was that when the slave ship was destroyed by the typhoon, the slaves didn't die, but lived at the bottom of the ocean. Weird concept, or not, it is in no means distasteful. 2. Stack that cheese is not a stand alone. It was a purposeful call back to the song "Hip Hop Saved My Life" from 2007. It's literally telling that song's story from the rapper in that song's perspective. That song also featured Nikki Jean. 😁👍 The album is all over the place for sure, but there is definitely some purposeful connections. Thank you for reviewing this Anthony. I enjoyed your take on it. 😀
IN that same frame, could "Down" metaphorically be about black depression caused by stuff including poverty and injustice, and how black people harnessed such negative energy as a weapon of sorts?
I had to re-listen to this album a few times over to really understand some of Lupe’s lyrics and concepts, which was expected. This is miles ahead of Lasers
This was the laziest review of yours I've seen, kinda disappointed that you just skipped over the concept and missed the overall ressurection theme with the slaves, lupe and his label, the kids, his DJ. Then Stack that chesse went over your head and acted like Nicki Jean wasn't on most of Lupe's album's. Also no mentioning for some of the mind blowing lyrics on this project, it was like you were reviewing a mumble rapper .
Worst review ever. People need to stop listening to music with the intention of critiquing, that's how they miss out on a lot of substance. I happen to think down is is quite deep (pun intended), i think it actually ties everything together.
Lol he gave Testuo and Youth was a 7? This dude is literally an idiot lmao T&Y was one of the nest albums of all time so clearly this dude is an idiot lol
Sumthin', sumthin', sumthin', "STACK THAT CHEESE!" Mother, sister, cousin, "STACK THAT CHEESE!" He couldn't think of nuthin', "STACK THAT CHEESE!" He turns down the beat, writer's block impedes.
Lupe is an artist that you cannot just listen to and review his album in a week, especially when he releases a 24-track project due to just how jam-packed his music is with lyricism. Saying that this lacks a concept isn't just wrong, it's flat out ignorant and makes it hard to take you seriously in the review. You can hate this album and think it was terrible because everybody is entitled to their subjective opinions, but you cannot deny the fact that the concept is there. I can't help but feel that this is the best album of the decade, and yes, I believe this is better than not only Tetsuo and Youth, Pinata, or whatever album you want to name, but I believe this was a better project than TPAB. The concept is, in my opinion, executed better, but the lyricism isn't even close. Lupe outdid everybody with this project. 10/10 Masterpiece
WARNING: This is my interpretation. The album is about slavery. At first in a literal sense. I believe the rest of the album is also about slavery. We are all enslaved by something. XO is about enslavement to drugs. Jonylah Forever and Kingdom are about enslavement to gangs. Imagine is about Lupe's enslavement to Atlantic Records (ironic). Just as the slaves freed themselves from entrapment and help others. Lupe freed himself from a record label and aims to help upcoming artist from those pitfalls, ie Stack That Cheese. The album is about SLAVERY and in many forms. It isn't until you free yourself from those chains and care for others will you find peace and achieve nirvana. This album is fine wine. It gets better with time. Complex and intricate. Best Lupe album in my opinion. Album Of The Decade.
The album is also about Resurrection and saving yourself, with the slaves, Jonylah, and Alan being reborn to save themselves, and Lupe going back to his old style trying to save his career after Atlantic ruined the fuck out of it
I wouldn’t consider myself a Lupe stan, but oh my fuck you missed out on a masterpiece of an album if you gave this a 7. It is the perfect blend of production and lyrical greatness. Im sorry for your loss Melon.
@The Machine Nah, he's fine. He's shown he can make great music but he's so far up his own ass he thinks anything he does is great when it's really not. He's like Hopsin. Technically a very good rapper. Has made some great songs, but way too egotistical to admit they're really not as good as they think they are. I'm a fair critic and think both are perfectly fine for what they are but they have the potential to be fantastic and they just don't live up to that potential cause of how overinflated their egos are and how unwilling they are to admit they need to change things up and maybe humble themselves a little bit. More so Russ in this regard cause if he could suck his own dick I'm sure he'd do it that's how in love with himself he is.
He acknowledged the first half of the album having a concept, he said it lost it and meandered at some point. He wasn’t super specific but he did acknowledge the tightness of the earlier tracks
@@landonpokela6484 the album start with the Atlantic Slave trade and grows to bring in Lupe being a slave to Atlantic Records. But the album is all resurrection throughout. Fantano does not have the times to decipher this album and should have never done this review
I don't get penalizing music for not having a solid central theme that holds everything together. Why is having a bunch of themes aren't necessarily related but intersect with one another not good enough? Isn't that more reflective of how we experience things anyways?
Also, I think it's important to highlight how Lupe refused to dumb down his lyrics in a 24 track album, if you love hip hop please give this a listen, Lupe is independent now and he needs it in order to create more music.
I stopped listening to your reviews for the most part, a lot times it seems like you're unaware Lupe has dropped classic albums T&Y and this. This album is absolutely beautiful, I honestly think it's more important than Pimp a butterfly. Both of these albums are more geared towards Black folks but somehow you praised Kendrick album as a masterpiece. I honestly think a lot of Lu's lyrics go over your head and the meaning behind it. I don't think Kendrick is near Lu's level and never will be but it would be nice for you to give Lu the recognition he deserves for releasing a Classic in this manner. I just wanted to see what you had to say for this album, I already had a good feeling beforehand. I'm sticking to Deadendhiphop for hiphop reviews.
I agree with rainman people that say it's just opinion that it's a great album clearly doesn't understand the content. This guy reviews people like Kendrick and says he makes amazing music when lupe is clearly in another league. Kendrick is even known for stealing Lupes art form haha
Couldnt have said it better myself. This dude is at the point of his career where saying more controversial shit will get him more views. This dude sold out.
Good review, but what pretty much rotates from song to song and also during the same song, is figural death then resurrection. This is the concept!!!! First the LongChains, then the children who saved themselves, Lupe Himself, Port Au Prince and the other "Kingdoms" - places where there is violence or natural disaster that have left them crippled. Basically, Lupe talks about the cyclicality of life that many of us go through of we choose to. Struggle-->pain and poor decision-->breakthroughs-->growth-->fresh new starts to life, made possible by the past. The song "Imagine" is the best example of this.
I was enjoying the review a lot until you said, "who the hell is this Nikki Jean that keeps popping up on the album?", and "Stack That Cheese is stupid and unnecessary filler that is trying to be tongue in cheek if anything." As if you'd never heard Hip Hop Saved My Life before
Come on man Im disappointed not on the score but on the lack of background knowledge. This album is in more ways a sequel to Food and Liqour and the cool. Stack that Cheese is the song that the dad wrote from hip hop saved my life. The back story of the long chains is an explantion for the cool and coolest explored in Goldvs throughout the album. You need a second listen this is definitely some of his best work and it went right over your head. Im disappointed Anthony
This album makes me proud because it’s full of references that go right over the head of the guy reviewing it. Meaning he should’ve bypassed this one after stating “this album had no concept”. This album is over most people’s heads and if you didn’t read the actual words you’d never get it.
One of Lupe's greatest albums I've heard since I listened to his discography this week. Very deep album where I applaud how Lupe went on a whole new level on this.
Melon, You clearly didn’t take enough time to listen to this project if you sincerely think there isn’t an over arching theme. The theme of resurrection is in nearly every track, though you have to look below the surface, which you clearly didn’t take the time to do, as you clearly seem to be busy stimulating yourself listening to another underwhelming bh album
No, he definitely thinks the theme fades away and isn't present any longer, which is wrong because that's just him mixing the theme up. The longchains are not the theme of the album. They are one aspect of the larger theme, resurrection, just like how "the Cool" had 3 different characters to tell one larger theme.
Pretty huge misread of Stack that Cheese man. Oh well, good looks for the review. I'd go 8 at the lowest. Also, what's up with your comments? It's about 80% memes and trolls =/
This album revived my love for Lupe. I kinda fell off after "The Cool" but now I'ma go back and listen to all his projects after enjoying this new album from him.
Feel this album went over ya head. Like my first run thru I was lost, then read the story and re-listened again and got a whole new appreciation of the album. The 2nd half i didn't like conceptual wise but this album is amazing. Also "Stack That Cheese" is a homage to "Hip Hop Saved My Life"
You should list your 3 favorite songs of the album at the end of your review: that would be easier for viewers who haven't listened to the album to discover it and start with your personal recommendations first. Personally, that album is one of the (if not THE) most successful of Lupe Fiasco... and definitely my favorite.
I love this album. I've listened to it more than any other album that came out in 2018. It doesn't kill me to skip a couple of interludes when there's like 12 tracks that are pure fire.
I didn’t think a guy like him could cover someone like Lupe. Based on the comments my assumption seems right. Won’t even bother watching the review. Lupe fans always look out for each other lol
Ummm... This was definitely a concept album. Nikki Jean is supposed to be one of "the long chains" / the ocean that's why they made her voice when it was. also mention you tetsuo and youth on she did quite a few vocals on that album. Did you even listen to the album to call it an album with just random tracks on it lets me know that you didn't listen to it but I guess it wasn't meant for your people to get this.
Sorry but it makes a lot going on with this album and it comes together very well and is very deep. This conceptual album was damn near flawless. No less than a 8.5-9, but of course respect and to each their own
Great video, Anthony, but the part where you actually review the music was a bit strange to me.
The Goat a necessary and much needed spin on the conservative fantano meme
Yeah he doesn't usually review music. Normally he just spouts the n word for hours at a time.
OX XY which happens to be the deadest of memes
Travis_Redfern what you just said is a dead meme too
Cap’n Jazz so I assume you only said that cause you were triggered by my comment? It’s a lame joke anyways, and it’s overused as hell by now...that’s what is described as a dead meme.
It boggles my mind that he doesn’t know who Nikki Jean is and how “stack that cheese” is a reference to “hip hop saved my life” did you ever listen to the cool, melon?
Yeah you're right. Can't believe he didn't give this masterpiece 10/10. Does he even know music? Smh smh
That takes a lot of validity from his review. I guess maybe he doesn't ever return to Lupe after he reviews him?
When he said Light was better than Fotp & F&L2 I was just like wow
Bruh he reviews like 80 albums a year of multiple genres food and liquor is a classic but your being ignorant if you can't understand why he might not remember a track from 12 years ago
@@kyerenilrem6947 don't want to be that guy, but that's on The Cool
Nicki jean has been on like every lupe album
Vinny Seed all the good ones at least
I think he means he's not fimiliar with any solo work
I know right, heck is melon on???
Kaileidoscope he specifically said "prior to this album" which makes it sound like he forgot that she was on many of Lupe's previous albums
They're secretly married lol.
7 Vs The Right Rating To Give
Right on
😂😂😂😂😂
Nikki and Lupe are long time collaborators. Do your research melon
For real, on so many of his albums, dudes an idiot, I only view his reviews for comedy purposes now.
that's going the furthest damn
Agreed. Man hates on great music. lol. I'd like to see him make this perfect cookie cutter music he's always bitching about.
And he calls himself a “music nerd”
@@heythere6804 wait, I thought everyone did that? 😂
You totally missed the mark about the slaves hitting the bottom of the ocean. They are given the ability to breathe hence why the song Down is what it is
Did homie say WAV files is a awful reality about dead slaves WHEN THE ENTIRE POINT OF THE SONG IS ABOUT THEM BEING ALIVE UNDER WATER
Not just alive under water, but sinking fucking slave ships and helping the slaves intergrate into their new society, that's why Down fits so perfectly after it, cause they turning that bitch into Atlantis. He should've waited longer to review this.
AND some of the slaves ascended into heaven after ripping the stars a new one for helping the slave traders. It was as good a reality as anything was on the entire project. Seriously, such a massive misunderstanding makes me earnestly believe he only listened to it once, barely.
@@TheTinyTimmyTimTim not just the stars, the ocean, the woods, all get a piece of these hands as well. Fantano should have just stayed away from this album tbh, doesn't have the time to give it proper attention
I get the whole meta-narrative Lupe tried to construct here, but Melon s right. He doesn’t nail it, not even close. This isn’t TPAB level execution or Illmatic or Ready to Die..... hell its not even on par with ‘The Cool’ in terms of delivering on its premise. If the Long Chains and it’s narrative or conceptual premise was pushed to the seams, it could’ve been utterly superb but it’s not, it’s just pretty good with a lot of potential left on the cutting floor.
Melon couldn't get how deep this album was ( literally)
Honestly, shout out to Lupe for keeping on with relatively solid releases so consistently. He’s pretty far off from his heights of popularity, and has claimed retirement a few too many times, which has definitely impacted how people view him.
That said, he’s been releasing music of pretty damn high quality for years now, has no major scandals to speak of, and is really just focused on his art, which I really, really respect.
Lillin idk if it’s a scandal but he was kicked off the stage at an Obama party for doing an anti government song.
mcde27 That’s just having an opinion not a scandal in my books
Matt K his Twitter account is a scandal, he keeps ranting about stupid shit on there and I think it's a major contribution to restricting his appeal
@@cooliebwoy415 Nah, he's been black balled by Atlantic for over a decade. That's why . People keep forgetting tetsuo and youth was forced out because anonymous threatened Atlantic. He's literally had one of the worst record deals experience, you would be bitter to. But he's clear being black balled.
Khadeem Duinkerk I realize that but he doesn't gain any favor by going on rants about how Kendrick Lamar is stealing his style. There is literally an entire article that discusses about the history of lupes Twitter beefs and he made a video apologizing t to all those people when the DW dropped
I feel like this review was not very well prepared. I mean, "no real main theme" that's fucking insane. How could you possibly arrive to that conclusion? The theme is in the title of the freaking album!
Rufin Fury bruh he gave swimming a 5. Anthony is a little “slow”.
only listen to fantano for comedic purposes, his reviews are getting worse and worse
For me this album is a 10. There is a core concept that ties both halves of the album, that of the power of myth. The 'forever' mythos, the long chains mythos, the mythology of the drug life and lupes own mythos
Finally someone who gets it
You mofos should be reviewing this shit. These niggas dont know SHHIIIIIIIIT.
The common theme through the whole album is RESURRECTION.
stack that cheese and XO suck, rest of the album is top tier shit. 9/10 for me
Wow, did Melon really miss the entire narrative about the longchains and revival in the album? Or how Stack that Cheese is a throwback to Hip Hop Saved My Life?
just imagine a yellow flannel and a 10/10 it makes life much better.
It is indeed disappointing for someone to critique something without understanding the context. He has never heard of Nikki Jean? Has he ever listen to a Lupe album?? Oh well, I love this album alot, and that's what matters
Yeah was a bit strange considering one of his favorite lupe songs is hip hop saved my life.
Coming from a Lupe fan, hip hop saved my life is still one of my favorite lupe tracks, but honestly I was slightly dissapointed with stack that cheese
Yeah, he doesn't get certain things, and completely overlooks what he doesn't feel like paying attention to.
I had to pause when you said the album didn't have a consistent theme. I'm sorry, but with the review being this late, everyone has already figured it out. its about resurrection. The longchains were resurrected, alan was resurrected, jonylah was resurrected, Lupe resurrected himself from atlantic records (atlantic slave trade) on the track imagine, timbuck2 is a Chicago DJ that died in 2015, etc. The album is called DROGAS (spanish for drugs) Wave, not "Lupe fiasco and the drowned slaves". It's not about them, they are one aspect of the larger theme, resurrection.
Saying it doesn't have a theme is flat out wrong. Whatever you think of the album sonically is your prerogative, but you are objectively incorrect here. Like you didn't even understand what WAV files was about. That was not an awful reality. You seemed to have forgot that song in between the slaveship interlude and down. Wav files ends with them forgiving the stars for their transgressions, some ascending to heaven. How is that a bad place to switch to the happier themes of down?
Lupe actually addressed this on Twitter. He says he always has themes of resurrection bleed into his work because of how he is.
Way before he ever addressed this on twitter, it was obvious after a few more spins. When this review was late, fantano was on twitter talking about how it's a long album and it's going to take time to review...well what was the point of that? He's not dumb, not at all, so how did that completely go over his head even after lupe straight up said it on twitter.
I think he missed the part where the slaves started living underwater because then Down would make sense to him. Its supposed to be happy because the slaves have come to accept their new life and now they are happy. So Manilla to Down is the story of the slaves then Haile Salassie is a transition then Alan Forever starts the second part of the album that focus on the present day.
TheTinyTimmyTimTim I don't think you understood what I'm trying to say. It's just a common theme in most Lupe works, that usually just happen organically because of his nature. It isn't always so deliberate, and not really a central focus. I think he could've emphasized it more for it to click with others. Also, Anthony listens to a million different albums, he can't take all the time in the world dissecting one.
No i completely understood what you said. You cannot claim lupe explicitly says he's a certain thing, then chalk up that theme appearing in this album to coincidence or musical instinct. It's 100% deliberate, and songs like imagine even being on there is proof. It's not a product of his general music making process. It's a theme he consciously inserted to the work, and the only one that is present in it's entire run time, though you can make an argument for the DROGAS aspect of it.
I'm aware he has a lot of music to listen too. Thats why this review is almost 2 weeks late. Isn't that the point? This is a review you could of put out after 1 listen on release day.
Tetsuo and youth is a masterpiece
J R facts!
Hell yeah it is!
I swear
Was my favorite album of all time until he dropped this WAVE mindfuck 🤯🤯
I HIGHLY AGREE, I TETSUO&YOUTH IT'S POWERFUL. NOW! DROGAS WAVE: CLASSIC
This is my AotY after 16 listens. On first listen it was good, about 7/10. On the fifth, as certain lyrics started to connect thematically together to other lines on this and previous projects, it became a 10. After choosing to join my brothers on their eternal patrol of the Atlantic it had officially changed my life. Fear the LongChains. 11/10
gtfo
Amen. Agree 100%
I don't care what anyone says. Lupe Fiasco's writing on this album is extraterrestrial. He is one of the best lyricist in Hip Hop period. Period.
100%
Shoulda been a 8 because Wav Files is fire
@The Machine1.Ghost Town
2. Wav Files
Forreal that one was my fav I am glad ppl feel the same
Song of the year for me Kids See Ghost - Freee
Second - Ye - Ghost Town
Mural Jr is my song of the year
I have to dislike this video for the sake of the culture.
The album is definitely a 9/10
I can see all 13 of Lupe's fans gave you a thumbs up
@@coolwhiprofl "all 13 " nice try but no
@@tashfiqchoudhury Forgive me man, I mean 16
@@coolwhiprofl this ain't it chief.
@@coolwhiprofl don't you mean "73"? 😭
WOAH MELON IS GETTING EDGIER CLOTHES EVERY DAY
HardenTooSaucy6 *cooler
He's havin a midlife crisis.
HardenTooSaucy6 it’s not that edgy if it had patches and no sleeves when you bought it 😶
Tyler Belisle very much facts fellow king
He's turning $traight Edge on us right before our eyes!
2:50 if Kendrick Lamar put that in his album, melon would call it genius
he'd probably fake cry as well
Homie did the longchains shit go completely over your head? Even if you ignore his Reddit explanation it's still very strong in the first chunk. It's not just Down, the whole first segment is a revisionist fantasy.
You missed so much with this project and tetsuo and youth. There is no point in reviewing lupe projects if you are not going to do the necessary work. 7 for both is just wrong. Not 10 but come on...
This album was surprisingly very good and that’s coming from a lifelong Lupe fan who saw him at his highs & lows
So not that surprising you like it.
Ilistray well to be fair he’s been inconsistent with the quality of his releases for a while
@@comicthecon touche
The Great Rudini drogas light he admitted was alot of crap songs that were old bc of issues w his label i think bc i dont really like it or think it was trash
i heard about that, but how many years is lupe gonna use that excuse. dont get me wrong, i like this album and i kinda like drogas light, but that label excuse is getting a little tired. but thats just my opinion.
I think you may have missed a couple themes good sir.
1. Down is not just a song about being at the bottom of the ocean. The concept was that when the slave ship was destroyed by the typhoon, the slaves didn't die, but lived at the bottom of the ocean. Weird concept, or not, it is in no means distasteful.
2. Stack that cheese is not a stand alone. It was a purposeful call back to the song "Hip Hop Saved My Life" from 2007. It's literally telling that song's story from the rapper in that song's perspective. That song also featured Nikki Jean. 😁👍
The album is all over the place for sure, but there is definitely some purposeful connections.
Thank you for reviewing this Anthony. I enjoyed your take on it. 😀
i love u
IN that same frame, could "Down" metaphorically be about black depression caused by stuff including poverty and injustice, and how black people harnessed such negative energy as a weapon of sorts?
Thank you.
Christopher Ball no fuck his take on it. fuck him. he always missed the concepts.
Just one of the many things he missed.
I had to re-listen to this album a few times over to really understand some of Lupe’s lyrics and concepts, which was expected. This is miles ahead of Lasers
This was the laziest review of yours I've seen, kinda disappointed that you just skipped over the concept and missed the overall ressurection theme with the slaves, lupe and his label, the kids, his DJ. Then Stack that chesse went over your head and acted like Nicki Jean wasn't on most of Lupe's album's. Also no mentioning for some of the mind blowing lyrics on this project, it was like you were reviewing a mumble rapper .
needle drop should go back to reviewing Kendrick, all the concepts and lyrics have gone over his head 😂
He didnt get the concept, je missed it all. He said the songs are not connected literally they are all connected.
Worst review ever. People need to stop listening to music with the intention of critiquing, that's how they miss out on a lot of substance. I happen to think down is is quite deep (pun intended), i think it actually ties everything together.
I expected Anthony to give this album atleast a 9 minimum, considering that he gave "Kids See Ghost" a perfect 10...🤔🤔
@@DrewTubeSkyWalker probably because KSG > Lupe
Okay think about this: he said Tetsuo&Youth was a 7 too and that shit is fire. and so...DROGAS WAVE AOTY
Its... 🔥 24 track and they all good.
👍👍
Lol he gave Testuo and Youth was a 7? This dude is literally an idiot lmao T&Y was one of the nest albums of all time so clearly this dude is an idiot lol
DEHH has the best review of this album.
Tbh I saw a better one. Its an unknown channel tho
You should check out Luke James review as well
I love DEHH raps reviews much better than Fantano
Yo but stack that cheese is a throwback to hip hop saved my life from the cool
Sumthin', sumthin', sumthin', "STACK THAT CHEESE!" Mother, sister, cousin, "STACK THAT CHEESE!" He couldn't think of nuthin', "STACK THAT CHEESE!" He turns down the beat, writer's block impedes.
Anthony doesn't recall that song, or else he would recognize the name Nikki Jean.
How did he not recognize Nikki Jean she's been on like 20 Lupe tracks before this.
@@CCullen95 this reviewer is a poser
dose he listen to lupe. how dose he not know Nikki Jean shes been on most of his album.
Lupe is an artist that you cannot just listen to and review his album in a week, especially when he releases a 24-track project due to just how jam-packed his music is with lyricism. Saying that this lacks a concept isn't just wrong, it's flat out ignorant and makes it hard to take you seriously in the review. You can hate this album and think it was terrible because everybody is entitled to their subjective opinions, but you cannot deny the fact that the concept is there. I can't help but feel that this is the best album of the decade, and yes, I believe this is better than not only Tetsuo and Youth, Pinata, or whatever album you want to name, but I believe this was a better project than TPAB. The concept is, in my opinion, executed better, but the lyricism isn't even close. Lupe outdid everybody with this project. 10/10 Masterpiece
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Lupe's second masterpiece that received a 7, but I get that you only get out what you put into a Lupe album
That's a good way to look at it.
Louis Gregoire wow this is actually so true thank you
Meh neither this nor Tetsuo and youth were close to masterpieces
You don't know what a Masterpiece is then...
rainman my apologies, I didn’t know the quality of an album was objective.
It's a STRONG 9 for me.
WARNING: This is my interpretation.
The album is about slavery. At first in a literal sense. I believe the rest of the album is also about slavery. We are all enslaved by something. XO is about enslavement to drugs. Jonylah Forever and Kingdom are about enslavement to gangs. Imagine is about Lupe's enslavement to Atlantic Records (ironic). Just as the slaves freed themselves from entrapment and help others. Lupe freed himself from a record label and aims to help upcoming artist from those pitfalls, ie Stack That Cheese. The album is about SLAVERY and in many forms. It isn't until you free yourself from those chains and care for others will you find peace and achieve nirvana.
This album is fine wine. It gets better with time. Complex and intricate. Best Lupe album in my opinion. Album Of The Decade.
The album is also about Resurrection and saving yourself, with the slaves, Jonylah, and Alan being reborn to save themselves, and Lupe going back to his old style trying to save his career after Atlantic ruined the fuck out of it
@@dadorage1695 what did Atlantic records do to his career ?
This is easily an 8-9/10 album
There's most definitely a concept, Chief. I dunno what you were listening to. 😂
walkin on water, wow wow
Wow is an acronym for walking on water
@Asdfjkl Did I hurt your feelings?
No, you hurt his soullllllllll
@@slimc3769 😭
@@slimc3769 😂
Ofc you would put Slave Ship under your favorite tracks
LOL
Woah dude, the long awaited review is finally upon us
Ayyyy 25 likes, let’s get it. If u get me to 500 tho, melon will come to ur house to say what’s good
I understand Fantanos critique.. but, no...
No mention of timbuck? Makes this review invalid
Same here but King Nas, shit's fire
I wouldn’t consider myself a Lupe stan, but oh my fuck you missed out on a masterpiece of an album if you gave this a 7. It is the perfect blend of production and lyrical greatness. Im sorry for your loss Melon.
Ikr
This album is without question a 10/10. INSTANT CLASSIC... HISTORY... FLAWLESS VICTORY.
5 years later and I agree
"Do you fools listen to music or do you just skim through it?" JAY-Z to Dancethony and his ilk
Russ gets another L
@The Machine Nah, he's fine. He's shown he can make great music but he's so far up his own ass he thinks anything he does is great when it's really not. He's like Hopsin. Technically a very good rapper. Has made some great songs, but way too egotistical to admit they're really not as good as they think they are. I'm a fair critic and think both are perfectly fine for what they are but they have the potential to be fantastic and they just don't live up to that potential cause of how overinflated their egos are and how unwilling they are to admit they need to change things up and maybe humble themselves a little bit. More so Russ in this regard cause if he could suck his own dick I'm sure he'd do it that's how in love with himself he is.
sooo there is no concept to this album, he apparently overlooks the first half of this album being all the story of slavery? okay then
joe porcel only liking for Animals
He acknowledged the first half of the album having a concept, he said it lost it and meandered at some point. He wasn’t super specific but he did acknowledge the tightness of the earlier tracks
@@landonpokela6484 the album start with the Atlantic Slave trade and grows to bring in Lupe being a slave to Atlantic Records. But the album is all resurrection throughout.
Fantano does not have the times to decipher this album and should have never done this review
yea man his reviews fucking suck. so much goes over his bald ass head
@@ejecto_seato shut the fuck up lmao
this lil wayne review looks kinda weird melon, cant quite put my finger on it tho
Almost a year later and I’m still feeling a solid 10...
FACTS
REListen this on 2023 and this STILL A 10
I might sound bitchy but for once I'm not okay with the 7
You didn't understand the album at all!
I don't get penalizing music for not having a solid central theme that holds everything together. Why is having a bunch of themes aren't necessarily related but intersect with one another not good enough? Isn't that more reflective of how we experience things anyways?
Also, I think it's important to highlight how Lupe refused to dumb down his lyrics in a 24 track album, if you love hip hop please give this a listen, Lupe is independent now and he needs it in order to create more music.
Im feeling a strong 10 on this fam not a 7
lmao
King Nas is underrated boi
GIVE A CLASSIC REVIEW TO THE MINECRAFT SOUNDTRACK
This, but unironically.
HJVT god I love you
You know an album is deep when it takes Melon a week and a half to review
but he still didnt review it properly smh
I stopped listening to your reviews for the most part, a lot times it seems like you're unaware Lupe has dropped classic albums T&Y and this. This album is absolutely beautiful, I honestly think it's more important than Pimp a butterfly. Both of these albums are more geared towards Black folks but somehow you praised Kendrick album as a masterpiece. I honestly think a lot of Lu's lyrics go over your head and the meaning behind it. I don't think Kendrick is near Lu's level and never will be but it would be nice for you to give Lu the recognition he deserves for releasing a Classic in this manner. I just wanted to see what you had to say for this album, I already had a good feeling beforehand. I'm sticking to Deadendhiphop for hiphop reviews.
@rainman
Could you go into detail on why u feel that this album proves that? It's all conservation really.
Amen
I agree with rainman people that say it's just opinion that it's a great album clearly doesn't understand the content. This guy reviews people like Kendrick and says he makes amazing music when lupe is clearly in another league. Kendrick is even known for stealing Lupes art form haha
If you don't understand it, it doesn't mean it's bad
Couldnt have said it better myself. This dude is at the point of his career where saying more controversial shit will get him more views. This dude sold out.
REVIEW YANDHI
k
who will be wooooooshed today
he should review kanyes inspired snl speech instead
He will release it after the 13th ammendment is abolished. So we gotta wait for a very long time.
Shut the fuck up already
Good review, but what pretty much rotates from song to song and also during the same song, is figural death then resurrection. This is the concept!!!! First the LongChains, then the children who saved themselves, Lupe Himself, Port Au Prince and the other "Kingdoms" - places where there is violence or natural disaster that have left them crippled.
Basically, Lupe talks about the cyclicality of life that many of us go through of we choose to. Struggle-->pain and poor decision-->breakthroughs-->growth-->fresh new starts to life, made possible by the past. The song "Imagine" is the best example of this.
I get you don't like him but you didn't have to say he is worse than lil pump
Nice effort, Anthony. Now I'm rinsing this review from my mind with another watch of the DEHH review 👍🏻
You only have him a 7 so you wouldn’t be called racist
Yeah you missed the boat (no pun intended ) on this one . the continual narrative of captivity vs boundlessness is throughout this album .
I was enjoying the review a lot until you said, "who the hell is this Nikki Jean that keeps popping up on the album?", and "Stack That Cheese is stupid and unnecessary filler that is trying to be tongue in cheek if anything." As if you'd never heard Hip Hop Saved My Life before
Melon will you please just release that YANDHI review?
Just the album as well will be fine I guess
Nikki Jean has been on all of Lupe's albums though. Stack That Cheese is sort of a continuation of Hip-Hop Saved My Life.
So I'm guessing you only heard the hooks in XO and didn't hear the verses at all.
I can't tell if Fantano giving MBDTF a 6 or him clearly not understanding DROGAS Wave are his worst reviews.
Come on man Im disappointed not on the score but on the lack of background knowledge. This album is in more ways a sequel to Food and Liqour and the cool. Stack that Cheese is the song that the dad wrote from hip hop saved my life. The back story of the long chains is an explantion for the cool and coolest explored in Goldvs throughout the album. You need a second listen this is definitely some of his best work and it went right over your head. Im disappointed Anthony
This album makes me proud because it’s full of references that go right over the head of the guy reviewing it. Meaning he should’ve bypassed this one after stating “this album had no concept”. This album is over most people’s heads and if you didn’t read the actual words you’d never get it.
DROGAS wave > tetsuo and youth > DROGAS light
DROGAS WAVE > SCORPION > CARTER V
Anal Vape that's just incorrect man
Carter V is above Scorpion, that's a stance I can't see someone putting up a good point against tbh
Sorry, but Mona Lisa is better than the entirety of Scorpion.
Scorpion and Carter v arent exactly some of the best albums this year
Drogas Wave > Daytona > Book of Ryan > Damn > KOD > Carter V > Scorpion
Lost all credibility when he said he's never heard of Nikki Jean before the album. I said he listened to Lupe's other albums, but clearly not
What's your name? My names Melon. Sounds like felon. I like smellin'. Cal raised hell and, he makes me mad. He keeps me yellin'.
@GUY PRODUCTIONS haha
One of Lupe's greatest albums I've heard since I listened to his discography this week. Very deep album where I applaud how Lupe went on a whole new level on this.
Melon,
You clearly didn’t take enough time to listen to this project if you sincerely think there isn’t an over arching theme. The theme of resurrection is in nearly every track, though you have to look below the surface, which you clearly didn’t take the time to do, as you clearly seem to be busy stimulating yourself listening to another underwhelming bh album
Jake Haws he doesn't think a theme isn't present he thinks the concept is poorly handled at times
No, he definitely thinks the theme fades away and isn't present any longer, which is wrong because that's just him mixing the theme up. The longchains are not the theme of the album. They are one aspect of the larger theme, resurrection, just like how "the Cool" had 3 different characters to tell one larger theme.
I like how the comments are more normal because its Lupe.
Pretty huge misread of Stack that Cheese man. Oh well, good looks for the review. I'd go 8 at the lowest. Also, what's up with your comments? It's about 80% memes and trolls =/
This album revived my love for Lupe. I kinda fell off after "The Cool" but now I'ma go back and listen to all his projects after enjoying this new album from him.
review the bill of rights.
Nikki Jean has been with Lupe since food and liquor
Feel this album went over ya head. Like my first run thru I was lost, then read the story and re-listened again and got a whole new appreciation of the album. The 2nd half i didn't like conceptual wise but this album is amazing. Also "Stack That Cheese" is a homage to "Hip Hop Saved My Life"
This guy is so reluctant every time he compliments it
Great review Anthony, but did you really have to go on Twitter and call this meme format stale
MarTin ShorLux nice
Yes, because it really was getting stale.
If he actually got the entire album concept, this would be higher than a 7
better than tpab.
Havent watched the video yet. Been waiting for you to review it. I personally think its the best rap album this year.
Nah this was a 9
You should list your 3 favorite songs of the album at the end of your review: that would be easier for viewers who haven't listened to the album to discover it and start with your personal recommendations first. Personally, that album is one of the (if not THE) most successful of Lupe Fiasco... and definitely my favorite.
It's at least an 8/10 melon. But I'll give you pass.....for now.....
I love this album. I've listened to it more than any other album that came out in 2018. It doesn't kill me to skip a couple of interludes when there's like 12 tracks that are pure fire.
When is tha carter v NOT GOOD dropping melon???
No chance he gives it less than a 7, should give it an 8
I'm feeling a light to strong 5
It has Kendrick on it, so it's definitely not getting lower than a 7. Might even be his 3rd 10/10.
Michael Cheslav there’s literally no way it will get more than a 7. It’ll get 7 at most, 3 at the least. Mark my words
It's a huge improvement over IV which he gave a 3.
I didn’t think a guy like him could cover someone like Lupe. Based on the comments my assumption seems right. Won’t even bother watching the review. Lupe fans always look out for each other lol
Ummm... This was definitely a concept album. Nikki Jean is supposed to be one of "the long chains" / the ocean that's why they made her voice when it was. also mention you tetsuo and youth on she did quite a few vocals on that album. Did you even listen to the album to call it an album with just random tracks on it lets me know that you didn't listen to it but I guess it wasn't meant for your people to get this.
Sleeveless denim hoodie?
So your arms will be cold but your chest, neck, and head will be warm?
You cease to amaze me sometimes melon.
Sorry but it makes a lot going on with this album and it comes together very well and is very deep. This conceptual album was damn near flawless. No less than a 8.5-9, but of course respect and to each their own
Kendrick Gon Copy this album with his next project and it will get a 10
But lupe it gets 7/10
Needle drop didn’t even know who Nikki Jean was lmfao
This album is at least a 9.
um, isn't stack that cheese a reference to Hiphop saved my life or am I crazy? Especially considering nikki jean is all over this record
It's hard to be a Lupe fan
This album should have made it on the top 200 of the decade list