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

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

In The Cards

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.