Food & Liquor
by Lupe Fiasco
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Sep 19, 2006
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Food & Liquor just might be the steadiest and most compelling rap album of 2006.
  2. cokemachineglow
    84
    There is not a bad verse on it.
  3. Dot Music
    70
    Cut out vague Shindoa track, "The Instrumental", tired Gunter Kallmann Choir-retread "Daydreamin'" and the offerings here that are marred by warbled soul harmonies - consistently added as afterthoughts to choruses - and this would be perfect.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    A messy, ambitious CD by a deeply thoughtful MC. [6 Oct 2006, p.71]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Mojo
    80
    One of the albums of the year. [Dec 2006, p.120]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    91
    Though I wish the beats were less corny-orchestral, Fiasco marks his own turf in a three-song sequence that would have led the second side back in the day. [Feb/Mar 2007]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    All in all, this is merely promising rather than masterful. [14 Oct 2006, p.35]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Pitchfork
    79
    Where Fiasco misses classic status is his sonic approach.
  10. Playlouder
    70
    It's not quite the second coming or even the first for that matter, but 'Food & Liquor' should leave you feeling sated and occasionally elated.
  11. PopMatters
    80
    The album might not become a rap classic, but it is easily one of the best rap albums of 2006, and maybe one of the top records of any kind to appear this year.
  12. Prefix Magazine
    90
    Food & Liquor is the best hip-hop album of 2006.
  13. RapReviews.com
    90
    Being bold and different for Lupe pays off right from the jump.
  14. Rolling Stone
    80
    It's full of surprising, creative moments that recall Nas and Kanye West.
  15. Slant Magazine
    90
    Food & Liquor is one of the year's fresher efforts and future classics.
  16. Stylus Magazine
    75
    Fiasco is actually an absolutely dazzling emcee and a genuinely nuanced personality, and both of these things are incredibly rare in hip-hop in 2006.
  17. The A.V. Club
    100
    By boldly expanding the parameters of mainstream hip-hop, Fiasco's threatening to make rap a welcoming place for geeks and iconoclasts as well as pimps and thugs.
  18. The New York Times
    70
    There are few weak tracks on this beautifully quiet album, but there is no truly irresistible beat either. [18 Sep 2006]
    All this publication's reviews
  19. Uncut
    80
    While Food & Liquor struggles with its own contradictions, it does so over scorching beats and with lyrical flair. [Dec 2006, p.113]
    All this publication's reviews
  20. Village Voice
    80
    As for that perpetual hip-hop debate as to whether an MC is better served by his beats or his words, the Chicago rapper is deft enough in both arenas that you could carry these lyrics around in your head for days... while message boards light up with claims that hip-hop's first truly great instrumental album lies embedded somewhere in all this.

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best Album of 2006
29
#29 Most Discussed Album of 2006
26
#26 Most Shared Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 248 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 225 out of 248
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 248
  3. Negative: 18 out of 248
  1. dijavantewow
    Oct 17, 2010
    10
    Fantastic album. One of the best of the decade for hip hop. I'm not sure Lupe is appreciated enough for what he brings to the table, but thisFantastic album. One of the best of the decade for hip hop. I'm not sure Lupe is appreciated enough for what he brings to the table, but this album is great song to song. "Kick Push", "I Gotcha", and especially "Hurt Me Soul" are my favorites, and show is lyrical abilities.… Full Review »
  2. rollingstone82
    Aug 25, 2010
    8
    Don't let his name mislead you.

    Hip Hop was not at a good place in that year (and its status has progressively gotten worse with a few sparks    Don't let his name mislead you.

    Hip Hop was not at a good place in that year (and its status has progressively gotten worse with a few sparks here and there). Nas' Hip Hop Is Dead was an alright effort but ultimately lacking. Jay-Z's so-called comeback didn't make impact. Kanye didn't release a single album that year. Eminem was in relapse. There wasn't anything of interest from the South, the dominant side of hip hop in terms of mainstream. Luda's album was bizarre, T.I.'s was a drag, even OutKast's long-awaited soundtrack was mediocre at best.

    So is there even a "best rap album" of 2006? Thankfully, we have a winner.

    Food and Liquor is one of the most pleasurable listens in a while dominated by one of the most refreshing voices in a VERY long time. No thug talk. No cocaine stories. No half-baked, misogynistic, and clumsy songs about **** and butts. Finally, we have someone who has a clear mind and vision on what he is to accomplish. This album is actually an implied threat to hardcore and gangsta rap. Instead, Lupe is somewhat of a geeky type of rapper. If others talk about coke, Lupe talks about robots. Others ride fancy cars, Lupe talks about skateboards. But yet it is far beyond material possessions.

    Kick, Push is a song about a young skateboarder who "kicks and pushes" on despite rejection. This isn't really a song about boards but rather a song about the lack of acceptance because of one's identity. The message is not struggle or happiness but rather hope in times of hostility.

    Another notable track, Hurt Me Soul, is Lupe's tirade on the sad side of life. Essentially it is a compilation of different views, from a prostitute to a slave. Lupe instead of ranting on the whores like a rapper would usually do, he sympathizes with their position even showing dislike towards hip hop for its degradation of women.

    Other tracks to note are The Cool and The Instrumental, two inventive storytelling raps. The background, though, gets a bit weird and corny. American Terrorist features a strange mix between orchestra and Arabian, which really don't fit for these songs. Pressure is also a pointless track that features a Lay-Z Jay-Z verse.

    Nonetheless, the album is so much better than the albums that did come out. But it isn't the best of the year. That would be Hell Hath No Fury by Clipse.    … Full Review »
  3. I_like_rap
    Nov 8, 2022
    10
    Lupe fiasco’s food and liquor is a lyrical masterpiece, with songs like hurt me soul, he say she say, the cool, and American terrorist, you’reLupe fiasco’s food and liquor is a lyrical masterpiece, with songs like hurt me soul, he say she say, the cool, and American terrorist, you’re bound to enjoy this album if you like lyrical rap. Lupe fiasco influenced a lot of the conscience rap we see today. This album is a classic.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »