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

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  1. 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’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.
  2. Atum_
    Jul 16, 2020
    10
    Amazing album, really enjoyed every single track, don't really have a lot of criticism other than I wish his verse on the intro wasn't after two minutes of skit, so I could add it to my playlist. Prior to listening through this I had only heard I Gotcha, which is still one of my favorites from the projects, his rhyme scheme on that is just crazy, be sure to give it a listen!
    Favorite    Amazing album, really enjoyed every single track, don't really have a lot of criticism other than I wish his verse on the intro wasn't after two minutes of skit, so I could add it to my playlist. Prior to listening through this I had only heard I Gotcha, which is still one of my favorites from the projects, his rhyme scheme on that is just crazy, be sure to give it a listen!
    Favorite Tracks: Kick, Push, I Gotcha, The Instrumental    … Expand
  3. chiccoequina
    Feb 28, 2020
    10
    Beautiful.

    Now i aint tryna be the greatest I used to hate hip hop yep because the women degraded But 2short made me laugh like a hypocrite i played it A hypocrite i stated through i only recite half Omitting the word **** cursing i wouldnt say it me and dawwg couldnt relate till a **** i dated forgive my favourite words for hers and hers alike but i learnt it from a song i heard    Beautiful.

    Now i aint tryna be the greatest
    I used to hate hip hop yep because the women degraded
    But 2short made me laugh like a hypocrite i played it
    A hypocrite i stated through i only recite half
    Omitting the word **** cursing i wouldnt say it me and dawwg couldnt relate till a **** i dated
    forgive my favourite words for hers and hers alike but i learnt it from a song i heard and sort like
    for the icing glamourised drug dealing was appealing    … Expand
  4. Connorcox1997
    Mar 19, 2019
    10
    Food & Liquor was a classic debut album from Lupe Fiasco back in 2006. His Bars, Flow, and delivery are dope. And the production on the album is fantastic. Food & Liquor still hold up as a classic album a decade later. I highly recommend it.
  5. FruitJuice
    Jul 18, 2017
    8
    great album............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
  6. Jensen67
    May 25, 2017
    9
    This album is absolutely amazing. Great instrumentals, lyricism and meaning behind those lyrics. Every song has something to offer.

    Best songs: Kick, Push II / American Terrorist / Hurt Me Soul
  7. accost
    Oct 25, 2016
    10
    Classic rap album, staples of conscious that should be experienced. Bringing unique samples, excellent metaphors, and a lyrical prowess rare in a premier album. The roster does not disappoint, with help from West, Pharrell, and many others.
  8. Chriscon31
    Mar 11, 2016
    8
    This album is straight flames. Fire. Global warming. Classic hip hop album. Lupe is a beast. Hurt me soul is my favorite song from this album in which he speaks on real topics.
  9. Jellodono
    Apr 22, 2015
    9
    Ridiculously good freshman album from Lupe. I dont like Jays verse but besides that an amazing album with great production which only gets better with his next album release. "The Cool".
  10. keve16
    Mar 26, 2015
    8
    8.1/10................................................................................................................................................
  11. Shady313
    Mar 22, 2015
    10
    10/10 ................................................................................................................................................
  12. thisisit
    Jan 30, 2015
    9
    it's a breath of fresh air with Lupe's cool lyrical style. He sounds like he enjoys rapping , like he has fun doing it rather than try to seem "intimidating" as most others do. I truly enjoyed every single beat in this album and the only thing that makes it fall short of a perfect ten for me are the songs "Real" and "Just might be OK".
  13. brockcheese
    Jan 29, 2015
    8
    This album is very good. It feature great production from a variety of other rappers, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Mike Shinoda etc. The lyrics are also incredibly well-written commenting on everything from video games to terrorism. While the hooks are very bland and none of the songs are particularly memorable, this is still a good album because of the messages it presents and the incrediblyThis album is very good. It feature great production from a variety of other rappers, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Mike Shinoda etc. The lyrics are also incredibly well-written commenting on everything from video games to terrorism. While the hooks are very bland and none of the songs are particularly memorable, this is still a good album because of the messages it presents and the incredibly well-written lyrics.… Expand
  14. MojoRisin23
    Sep 26, 2012
    10
    A masterful debut from one the generation's greatest MCs. Lupe is on another level from many of the rappers who call themselves artists. Lupe the Killa...
  15. Chrislake94
    Jun 3, 2011
    10
    First of all the people who reviewed this as a negative have no understanding of Hip Hop whatsoever. They obviously didn't listen to the lyrics at all or just dumb. 'DudeLuv' I suggest you listen to something like Soulja Boy because you do not understand Hip Hop.

    This is one of the most original, profound, ingenious and intelligent Hip Hop albums of all time. If this can't be acknowledged    First of all the people who reviewed this as a negative have no understanding of Hip Hop whatsoever. They obviously didn't listen to the lyrics at all or just dumb. 'DudeLuv' I suggest you listen to something like Soulja Boy because you do not understand Hip Hop.

    This is one of the most original, profound, ingenious and intelligent Hip Hop albums of all time. If this can't be acknowledged as one of the greatest, then there is no hope for Hip Hop fans or the genre itself.    … Expand
  16. SlappyBag
    Apr 21, 2011
    10
    Great album, one of the best, if not the best hip hop album of all time.

    He has hands-down the best lyrical flow in the game, "Hurt Me Soul' is arguably one of the best, most meaningful songs ever.
  17. 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 this album is great song to song. "Kick Push", "I Gotcha", and especially "Hurt Me Soul" are my favorites, and show is lyrical abilities.
  18. idya
    Oct 1, 2010
    10
    Food and Liquor was a well-rounded album touching on a variety of issues, ranging from the struggles of growing up in the streets to misguided racism. Named hip-hopâ
  19. 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 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    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.    … Expand
  20. JJSmoove
    Jul 17, 2009
    10
    Lupe is hip-hop's savior.
  21. jordanr
    May 2, 2009
    10
    This is the best hip hop album ever created. Number 1 on my top ten hip hop albums of all time and shortly followed by the cool. It's hard to decide whether the cool or food and liquor is better but I'd have to go with food and liquor only because nobody in the history of the genre has ever put out such an extraordinary piece on a debut album. I still listen to the album the This is the best hip hop album ever created. Number 1 on my top ten hip hop albums of all time and shortly followed by the cool. It's hard to decide whether the cool or food and liquor is better but I'd have to go with food and liquor only because nobody in the history of the genre has ever put out such an extraordinary piece on a debut album. I still listen to the album the entire way through at least once a week and it's been over 2 years.… Expand
  22. EdgarM
    Mar 30, 2009
    10
    This is without a doubt the best rap album in the last 15 years! Lupe definitely gives Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, Common, Kanye and all the other rappers in the game a run for there money in terms of being a story-teller and poet. Great, great album.
  23. OllieH
    Mar 27, 2009
    7
    Better than most mainstream hip-hop, but it's by no means perfect, and there are much more skillful and innovative artists out there.
  24. Rex
    Feb 8, 2009
    10
    Probably, one of the best albums in the last 10 years or so. This guy has a tremendous future ahead of him.
  25. Shay
    Jan 29, 2009
    10
    One of the best debuts I've heard by anyone in a long, long time. Full of brilliant songs.
  26. AC
    Jan 29, 2009
    10
    Great, great album. Probably, the best album of it's kind since Jay-Z's "The Blueprint".
  27. EricJ
    Jan 24, 2009
    10
    This will go down as one of the best hip-hop albums of all-time.
  28. CodyD
    Dec 3, 2008
    10
    I love this cd, but why is food & liquor higher voted then The Cool? wow.
  29. KeithT
    Jun 22, 2008
    10
    Lupe is a true lyrical master. Skillfully crafting stories, wordplays, and perfect utilizing the beats that are amazingly done as well.
  30. raymondw
    Apr 2, 2008
    10
    If anybody can see this album as less than a 9 or a 10 then you know nothing about hip hop or music in general because the skills showcased on this album is incredible. The storytelling, the metaphors, beat selection, concepts and lyrics are all original and great. I met Lupe and I asked him to sign this album instead of the Cool because I think this one will be the one we remember in 10 years.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
  2. cokemachineglow
    84
    There is not a bad verse on it.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    79
    Where Fiasco misses classic status is his sonic approach.
    Read full review
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