Lupe Fiasco - Samurai ALBUM REVIEW
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- čas přidán 3. 08. 2024
- Listen: • Lupe Fiasco - No.1 Hea...
If any man could pull off a concept album imagining Amy Winehouse honing her battle rap prowess, it would probably be Lupe Fiasco, and he did.
More rap reviews: • Hip Hop Reviews
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Team: Jeremy - Lead Edits / Anthony - Final Cuts / Austen - Proofing, Posting
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FAV TRACKS: SAMURAI, MUMBLE RAP, CAKE, NO. 1 HEADBAND, BIGFOOT, OUTSIDE, TIL ETERNITY
LEAST FAV TRACK: PALACES
LUPE FIASCO - SAMURAI / 2024 / THIRTY TIGERS / JAZZ RAP, LO-FI HIP HOP
8/10 www.theneedledrop.com/loved-l...
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right? - Hudba
The production feels very Nujabes inspired, which is what really made me love this album
@@SilentPhoenix__ Surprised he didn’t talk more about the production.
These were my first thoughts as well, reminded me a lot of the production Nujabes had on Hydeout Productions
Felt the same, made me really happy listening to it
That was exactly where my thoughts went to when I saw the album cover
Agreed 💯
It's amazing how this album did Amy Winehouse more justice than her movie biopic did
As someone who hasn't watched the biopic I agree
So true bestie
The Amy documentary was WAY better
@@Advent3546honestly the director of Amy is probably the best documentarian working today. His Maradona film is also amazing and Senna might be one of the finest documentaries of the 21st century which transcends the medium and becomes and overwhelmingly emotional and potent film, much like Amy does
IT'S!!! FUCKING AMAZING!!!!!
Palaces as the least fav track is a war crime
Palaces is elite and the 2nd verse is literally perfect
Fantano not shining enough😂
Did you not watch the video or something? He called it interesting and said it has a great beat switch too. He just wasnt crazy about the verses on it.
@@realfake3783 yeah I did watch it and I can kinda understand I thought the verse were pretty good tho.
totally my favorite from this project
Samurai Champloo extended with Lupe. This is DOPE.
Omfg it’s LeBeautiful!!
I was listening to the track Samurai driving as I passed a bunch of sunflowers today and couldn't help but feel this very real Samurai Champloo moment. It was great and so is this album!
Camila Cabello made a concept album where she is playing herself battling with her own artistic identity. You should really give it a try
BradTasteinMusicOfficial
Make another video where you cry and play victim
@@CameronShullCameronShull
Brad BASED in Music
She Brad on my taste until I music
this album proves that AI will never truly replace artists
watch lupe reveal that he used ai as a social experiment on if ppl notice the difference
no seriously, what AI could ever come up with a concept like this, write bars like this, etc.
AI should never be used for that purpose anyway, at least until a few centuries to come. But using AI as a distinctive toolset to aid your music production over specific areas is fine imo, it's kind of like utilizing specialized plug-ins into your DAW production but with extra versatility.
Lupe said that he used AI for most of the loosies he dropped this year & lasty year. But he said he will never use it on his albums tho.
AI can and will get better…
It’s a very ambitious concept, but Lupe has already done so much that this seems so simple in terms of his abilities. It’s almost like watching a KD step-back 3
Spot on
I can't believe there's a normal comment on this channel.
Ehh...he's doing what he wants. That's what matters
@mattsunshine9252 it's a good Album but it's not exactly "F.A.M.E" by Chris Brown (2011) great
I rarely ever see KD take stepback 3s so i decided to check, he has only taken 67 step back 3s in his entire 17 year career (made 47.8% of them because he is like that 😤).
Quietly one of the best rap albums of the past few years, there isn’t an inch of fat on this thing. Probably will go down as a lofi/jazz rap classic in time.
Lean and dense AF. I agree with Lupe that this album rises to the level of fine art(A Gagosian gallery would be appropriate, to be specific. LOL).
100%. I can absolutely see this standing alongside the likes of Jazzmataz and Shades of Blue
easily
I will always remember Lupe as the guy who beat Daigo at Street Fighter (staged or not).
Just don't remember Daigo that way 😂
10,000% staged lol, but a fun moment.
Nah wasn't staged. People just love to cope.
this is now a fuck street fighter 5 thread, fuck v trigger
@@mogullll I love SF5. Zeku for life!
Palaces worst???? Naw that's crazy
YA
WTF LOL
made me feel like didn't lisssten😅
@@wumzum837 tbf it doesnt seem think he disliked any of it so its not really saying much to have a least fav. though it is kinda lazy that he put all the songs as his fave besides one hah.
One of the best songs on the album.
Favorite song on the album. No question
Lupe getting two 8/10 albums in a row is so cool.
There are pararels that he draws between him and Amy Winehouse about how the industry messed with them and how they didn't receive enough support from their team / label.
Lupe actually dug up and cuddled with Amy’s corpse for inspiration😊😊
Yes! The album is both of them speaking. One then the other or both at the same time. This is an extremely dense 31 min.
@@Summonergeekfacts. And I think Lupe’s the homeless dude character that grabs her in the park. Last verse of palaces isn’t the Amy character and other spots on the album.
@@paulm394 You might be right. Refer to the lyrics "waking up with a song on her heart" at the beginning and the alarm going off at the end. It' a circle. This paired with his lyrics in Cake; "a kabbalist novelist in my esophagus". Google that shit. It will give you a lot more perspective. Shit is DEEEEEP!!! Going to his show in 5 days!!! WOOHOO!!!
This is one of the best albums to listen to while driving alone on a rainy nights
Interesting. I think this is a great summer chill album
@@TickTockVideosin the UK that's the same thing lol
Maybe, a lupe 'n drive.
@@waldezurbeEnd up driving out to the sea at night, or to watch the cherry blossoms fall in the Spring.
@@aftermath5981 Lmao
If Lupe got bit by a goat, you'd give this a 10
Yall mfs say the same shit everytime🤣🙏🏿
He gave Tdoss a 5😶
Amy Winehouse is a true treasure, and honoring her with such a body of work feels like really doing her name justice
Lupe is Chicago’s Andre 3k real shit
Agreed!
To Pimp A Samurai
To samur a I
Mash-up loaded...
Good samurai maad city
To BRAT a Samurai
SAMURAI.
Palaces as worst song is insane
Fr tho Cake is way worse
Even though it's the "worst song" it's still a banger the album has no misses
@@LxrdLucidpalaces is my favorite on the album but yeah this album has no skips
That’s actually wild. That’s probably my favorite song on the album.
Bigfoot and outside is worse imo. Still great tracks tho.
truly one of my favorite albums to come out this year, absolute fucking bangers all around. also a beautiful tribute to amy, shockingly wholesome but expectedly really kind. adored this project, maybe a 9/10 for me
ITS A 9 MELON
It’s definitely a 9, but it’s Anthony so let’s give him a pass lol
Haha, another incorrect rating from Anthony. It is absolutely a 9, can't stop listening to it
@@philterskilter9165 melon usually pretty on point imo
@@shepardharris To be fair I do agree with a lot of his ratings, now and then I definitely don't though.
Facts bro literally named every track on the album aside from 1 as a favorite
I understood this record as much as I have understood the Story and Lore of Elden Ring. Maybe I'll dive deeper in the future, Ima enjoy it with my own interpretation on the surface level for now. Dope LP none the less.
Appreciate the emotional awareness
9.5/10
Whole album gets better with each listen
Lupe is the secret GOAT of rap.
The Akuma of rap
if people discredit Eminem in the goat convo because of Revival, why should Lupe be in it with albums like Lasers? Drogas Light and F&L 2 are mediocre for his standarts too. On the other hand some of his contemporaries like Kendrick hasn’t missed on an album so far.
@@peterstanchev3156 do you have Schizophrenia? Are you hearing voices? Because I never even mentioned Em in my comment.
@@Defort-jd8xe I just explained why I don’t think Lupe is the goat of rap and made a reference to Eminem because people always discredit his goat status and rightfully so because he has made some terrible records but we’re ignoring when Lupe has done it?
@@peterstanchev3156 so go talk to these people that "always discredit" bla bla bla, I dont care, nobody asked you. p off.
I had zero idea that Samurai is a concept album centered around Amy Winehouse, as a battle rapper... huh. That said, this is, easily, one of my favorite Lupe Fiasco albums (and Food & Liquor is one of my all-time favorite albums, in any genre).
If I had to name two favorite songs, it would be "Cake" & "No. 1 Headband". Also, like you, Anthony, I was spazzing off of the "Do it to 'em, chewin' through 'em without doing it dentally" bar! Everything about that song is classic.
Nice!! Yet again, Lupe Fiasco delivers one of my fav rap albums of the year. He's unbelievably consistent, and his pen game has gotta be top 5 in modern times
Lupe Fiasco my favorite rapper. 🏂
Absolutely love this album, you just don't hear hip hop like this anymore.
Lupe didn't drop a fiasco
I immediately was blown away with that classic “The Cool” Lupe delivery
The Nujabes effect is real and much needed in today’s music world
I know people love Food & Liquor and The Cool era of Lupe, and I get why. But I feel like he's in his prime now. Drill Music In Zion is still one of the best albums of the 2020s so far, and this album is similar quality. Top 5 dead or alive idc
Top 5 dead or alive is an insane take. But respect to you for that.
@@godofnothing428 I feel like his discography is very overlooked. At this point, he has 6 albums that range from great to classic. The only rappers that I can put over him are Nas, André, DOOM and Black Thought
@@fernandoreyes680 i have nas at no2 and lupe 1. tetsuo, dmiz, drogas wave, samurai, the cool, food and liquor, food and liquor 2 his discography is just too stacked even tho nas has bangers
@@oliviertrudel2384you’re listing all of his good projects why ignore the mediocre and weak ones??
@@peterstanchev3156 like what drogas light and lasers? Damn thats so much lol +in the good one he has pharaoh heights and fahrenheit
Can't wait to see that art behind you in a future video, very neat.
Palaces at worst track is insane, literally has been in rotation nonstop for me since the album dropped.
top 3 for me, no1 headband and til eternity are a bit better imo
Palaces is one of the best track on there
Lu has really stepped it up lyrically on this project, but he's been this sharp since Testuo and Youth. I see sometimes you have to keep creating till the people come around... hence why being a real creative can be alot. You know how nice you are, but how do you convince the fans and people to see your vision or respect your skill. Lu's amazing
Lupe is one of the GOATS. Give the man his flowers. Drill music, Drogas Wave, so many great albums.
Also how tf is palaces your least favorite
His last 3 albums are fucking amazing
Great album review as always.
This has been such a great summer for music
Listened to this recently. Amazing album. Variety, yet consistent with the delivery of quality. Love it.
til eternity>>
Horns on that track are crazy
imo, this is rap album of the year and I will only hear arguments for Vince Staples and Mach-Hommy. Maybe I'll listen to points for Yeat and Schoolboy Q but thats about it imo
I really like the artwork for this album as well
Took you enough time fantano lol.
This is AOTY so far,
I'm from London and hung out where Amy used to go all the time. It got better and better. When i noticed all the London slang and little English things lupe throws in along with his amazing flow, cadence made me come back for more and more.
I smile every time Lupe goes into London mode and it funny af in a good way. Love how he adds that.
I'm on about 30 plays of the album so far. I was not expecting this at all. The concept and little nods to jazz too adds more depth.
The fact I think Lupe is one of the best and one of the few proper lyricists about these days. He doesn't rely on auto tune or overproduction. His flow, bars are what he shines on. Like it should be imo. Most of fav rappers have this, but not on the Lupes level.
The concept of it being Amy all about her being a battlerapper samari, the little nods to London, Jazz, his flow, cadence, production is all near perfect to me. Gonna take a lot to beat this for it to be my album for 2024.
8.5/10, would be a 9 if it was longer.
Eminem’s album? 🤔:?
@Roooh what about it? Take nostalgia and old shock factor away (which isn't going to get close near to it's going to rely on. The shock factor 2000s gone. As he won't really say the same level
And for sales be at the maximum on par with the proper. I'm not a betting man, but If I was I'd bet it have all the clichés from "slim shady" but slim shady version of Em is so dated. He will pretend to be edgy & controversial, but on the scale of the early em/shady 2000s shock factor, that won't be as bad in new bars (see the first song put out, he'll pretend to not give a fvuk. All aimed at new teens and old fans that will lap it up) It's all been marketed and hyped up by msm and people who are blinded by their teen loving, 16 year old self back then.
Props for using his fanbase for a nice payday. And maybe the last proper album rollout or full album by any aliases.
@@RappersDelight808 You listen to Em's album yet?
@rooh as an em fan for 20+ years, I think the album is still a husk of his former glory. He half assess the shock value and it feels force or shoe-horned. Aside from 3 tracks the rest of the album is mid at best. I think that em set the bar so low in the past decade that this mid stuff looks amazing.
@@julicomo9815 yeah there were 3-4 tracks are in constant rotation. Everything else should’ve been developed more.
Glad you did a review on this.
Title track actually goes insane, slowly creeping up to be my SOTY. Also, off-topic but would have loved to hear his opinion on the new Raveena, though.
samurai is like top 4 or 5 on the album
Lupe is a legend
That description is insane
If any man could pull off a concept album imagining Amy Winehouse honing her battle rap prowess, it would probably be Lupe Fiasco, and he did.
why?
@@oogi5461 it’s not an insane way to describe the album, but it’s insane that it’s an accurate description, if that makes sense
Interesting but it's nothing special.
Really enjoying Lupes flow on this. Gives me Saul Williams vibes
Cutting edge reviews you mr fantano are the lupe faisco of reviews 🤺
Really enjoyed this, been finding myself enjoying many concise ~30 minute concept/themed albums in the past few years. I hope they keep coming. The Fool by Bladee is my favorite one for anybody wondering
Hello, from the Philippines. I love the way you review albums. I would like to introduce you to our local music specifically the album 7sins by Felip. He is a member of a boyband SB19 but they have solo projects too. I hope you include this album to your list. Much love and respect from the Philippines. Thank you so much.
I listened to Cosmogramma today and seeing it on the background here felt so surreal 😭
DMIZ was my favorite rap album of the year and Samurai is just a great follow up the vibes are immaculate and it feels like Lupe cant pen a verse that doesnt have something witty, funny, or deep and thoughtful right now
palaces was literally the soul of the album if you really pay attention to the lyrics. It's not really an album about Amy Winehouse but more about any newbie Hip Hop artist in general. Also, it's about Lupe going back to his roots, falling in love with the pure art of it all over again.
He's essentially saying "just create your art for the passion of it." Essentially, he was inspired by Amy Winehouse who once said she would like to be a rapper. It reignited his love for the art at it's basest form.
Whats your opinion on Richard hawleys cole corner?
The goat (I'm talking about Lupe)
Great review
I really liked the new Lupe too but I’m still waiting for the black and whites album review by big hit, alchemist and hit boy this album is near perfect to me so would love to see your take on it I guess I wouldn’t mind the new boldy james and conductor Williams across the tracks album too since it’s straight gas
what a phenomenal year for hip hop
I think this will turn out to be an accidental classic. The beats are on point beginning to end. The bars are on point beginning to end. The overall sound is cohesive through the whole project. I wish there was an actual battle rap on there, to no one and everyone at the same time. Outside of that little critique, this is a master class on artsy lyricism. I'd say 9.5/10 for now, Bigfoot hasn't grown on me yet, it's not bad, nor does it inspire me to skip it, that's just my least favorite song on the album.
bigfoot grew on me very fast. i didnt like it but i very rapidly started to appreciate it
oh my god an actual battle rap would be amazing
Cake is kind of a battle rap. Absolute savagery.
palaces is my favorite track. production is beautiful in addition to everything built around and within it. Gorgeous project
I literally love the instrumental beat of Til Eternity
I appreciate this thoughtful analysis!
Yeah, I need Lupe Fiasco to rap about Sonny Liston now
The Pat Liston or the Ali Liston?
@@NIO4LIFE Sonny Liston himself
@joaoii1082 that's the correct answer!!! I've seen a great documentary here on CZcams of Sonny Liston life.. it was sad seeing him expecting a warm welcome in his city a greatcelebration after his champion fight but there was nobody waiting there for him.
@@NIO4LIFE yeah. He legit was the champion nobody wanted
@joaoii1082 because the man fitted in the narrative of a villain and Pat was clean. Sonny was a product of his circumstance.. I think later way later people appreciated his story even today people like you and me appreciate the man. The young Foreman idolized him and copied his demeanor
You tricked me with the white flannel, I was hate watching on 1.5x. You brought it back though, I thankfully don't have to change my opinion.
Lol
Palaces take is insane
WOOHOO I just got my Samurai Vinyl today !! Along with the long awaited The Cool vinyl. Only need Tetsuo now then i got every Lupe album as a vinyl. Included F&1 and 2 as a special double edition vinyl.
Hey Anthony are u gonna review Action Bronson’s new album”Johann Sebastian Bachlava The Doctor”? It come out on the 11th this month… if I remember correctly, you never reviewed “El Cocodrillo Turbo” which was his previous album in 2022…
Previous Industries review please?
Album of the year for me the rhymes are so fresh it's definitely up there in his discography
I didnt even know Lupe dropped that other album either! Hell yes brother
You should review a band called Deadletter, especially their song titled "Mere Mortal". For a band which started relatively recently, they are quite impressive
do i need to know anything about amy winehouse to enjoy this record? i really wanna listen but don’t feel like learning about her rn
It was a good album, but I feel like outside of the Amy Winehouse angle, Drill Music in Zion did a lot of this style much better. Still, i wish you had reviewed Lupe's collaboration with Aesop Rock in Pumpkin Seeds
A full Lupe/Aes album would go so crazy. Pumpkin Seeds is fantastic.
I'm extremely biased because I think Lupe is the best lyricist around. I definitely agree with you that I wish there was more songs and that the picture he paints is more clear. But album after album I think we maybe need to see that is what Lupe has fun with. He's not gonna make it clear. Maybe he wants you to feel like you want more and you're searching and digging through the lyrics. Another great album though and I'm sure 90% went over my head and I'll discover what these song are actually about over the next several years like all his albums
I honestly think it's pretty impressive that Lupe is still able to have such a large fan base, given how much the quality of his music has fluctuated over the years. Really speaks to both his immense talent and poor judgement.
Uhhhh where is the yellow flannel? You gave it an 8 melon, you should be wearing it.
Respectfully giving dark times by Vince and now samurai by Lupe a light 8 is weird. What does a rap album in 2024 have to be to get a 9 or at least strong 8 if not these two.
Much love from Aotearoa New Zealand
Peak (Cosmogramma) has been on the shelf a lot lately
Please review Hells Welles by Jesse Welles! It’s my favorite album release of this year!
Looking forward to listening to this album.
I like how he put the #1 Headband Afro Samurai reference on a album called Samurai, I gotta listen a few more times but I bet there’s a Champloo reference in there to
Can you please review Reagan Baby (2004) by Ross Golan and Molehead, the whole album is available on CZcams
Need you to do the new Boldy & Conductor record
Please review Quasi and their “featuring birds” album
Your old Droog album review ‘Movie’ where is it at
Review the new pond album please
This album is one the best this year, if not the best
FR
@@nellyar001 awehhhh
It's such a good album. Honestly, way too many good albums this year have been released
Absolutely in love with this album. Haven't spotted playing it for a little while now.
It's been a while since I've had one on repeat so much after the first couple listens. Something about the vibe/feel of the album is akin to Joey Bada$$'s "1999" for me. It's not a perfect album to me, but it is perfect for vibing to.
You should review "Love Heart Cheat Code" by Hiatus Kaiyote!
Can you review John Grant new album? It received critical acclaim.
Lupe casually dropping another masterpiece.damn
valid rating mr. Melon
I gave it the same exact rating when i listened to it playing midnight club 2, lets go
The song samurai is a jam
An AI could never come up with this concept
Am I the only one who thoguht of "Bigfoot" being a reference to Nicky Minaj ... espcially after her naming him on her track of the same name?
I thought so too ngl