The Coolest

Album: Lupe Fiasco's The Cool (2007)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a prelude to "The Cool" from Fiasco's debut album. In this song The Cool, who is a character from Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor album, and The Game, who is a female antagonist introduced on this album, discuss ideal candidates for a life of crime. Fiasco, who is critical of much of the Hip-Hop moral outlook, also introduces on the album a third character, The Streets, who is The Game's lover. He uses the 3 of them to critique the hustler aesthetic that is so often seemingly promoted by rap artists.
  • Lupe Fiasco's The Cool was described on Fiasco's MySpace site as "a multi-character concept album detailing the 'damaging influences and corrupt allure' of post-millennial Urban America."
  • Fiasco's first 2 albums both begin with a brief rumination by his sister, Iesha Jaco, on social and political topics. The Chicago rapper explained to the San Diego Union-Tribune January 10, 2008: "I want her to shine so she can never say she had nothing to do with my career! But, really, we share some of the same ideals because of our parents. Spoken-word is to the point and abrasive, so I wanted to open up the albums with her, and say: 'Hey, listen! Pay attention!'"

Comments: 3

  • Joe from Columbia, Scone of the smartest songs to ever be written by a hip-hop artist
  • Woodz from Huntly West, New ZealandThey way I always interpreted this song was that it was about a guy (the coolest nigga) who starts going out with a girl because it will increase his stardom. But when he gets sick of supporter their child he splits. "Ha-ha-ha-ha, right up in her face g"

    There's my two cents anyway. Great song, love Lupe to piece, bring on LupE.N.D
  • Allox from Qld, AustraliaSuch a good song, great lyrics, even though I hardly understand them.... The strings are so beautiful and I love his whole style, so smooth and sophisticated.

    Paris, Tokyo is another good one....
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Butch Vig

Butch VigSongwriter Interviews

The Garbage drummer/songwriter produced the Nirvana album Nevermind, and Smashing Pumpkins' Gish and Siamese Dream.

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian OrchestraSongwriter Interviews

Writing great prog metal isn't easy, especially when it's for 60 musicians.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.