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. TravisH
    Oct 9, 2006
    10
    Basically, beats are great, and his lyrical content rivals his idol, Nas, in every song. He's unreal, the way he plays with words "They accented like the UK" when its also "They Axe-ented like the UK" in I Gotcha. He's from Chi-City, which is where I'm from, but there's no bias here, he's the savior of hip-hop
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. MattyW
    Nov 18, 2006
    10
    DUDE LUV how can u say this is a bad album. at the most there is 2 bad weak songs on it. are u tipsy or jus deaf. BEST ALBUM OF 06!!!!
  6. JackJ.
    Oct 24, 2006
    10
    Classic.
  7. JohnM
    Sep 25, 2006
    10
    Great album. It is easily one of the best albums of the year.
  8. KSpearman
    Sep 28, 2006
    10
    Best debut rap album since Reasonable Doubt
  9. EdwinO
    Sep 28, 2006
    10
    Best album to come out (Until Ye's on December 11th. Im praying for that release date Kan!).
  10. FlossyP
    Sep 28, 2006
    10
    Intellegent lyrics all around. This is what Hip-hop should be. Enjoyable and Amazing Production.
  11. kareemf
    Sep 30, 2006
    10
    quite possibly the best album of the year.. lyrically stimulating verses filled with extended metaphors and vicious wordplay over these infectious beats makes this album a hip-hop classic in my eyes.. it sucks that ignorant people cant apprecate the album because they cant decipher his rhymes but ohh well, he is the truth
  12. LukeL.
    Jun 25, 2007
    10
    Definitely the future of hip-hop. Common sense and real thoughts in a sea of 'club tunes'. People don't just have to dance all the time. But if you want to, you still can with this album. Good under any state of mind. Brilliant, even.
  13. DerekS.
    Jul 10, 2007
    10
    The thing that makes Lupe's music so good is that he talks about things that are important in the world not cars, big screen tvs and gettin some. Its shame his album hasnt sold more copies this guys music is pure genious.
  14. Daryl-AnnH.
    Sep 8, 2007
    10
    Love his lyrics.. his beats are fire and he's just great overall.. he's bringing something new to what is now called hip-hop!
  15. Shay
    Jan 29, 2009
    10
    One of the best debuts I've heard by anyone in a long, long time. Full of brilliant songs.
  16. mariof
    Nov 1, 2006
    10
    da best album of 06 so far
  17. Kay
    Nov 29, 2006
    10
    Fantastic album, really well built and with great collaborations.
  18. TiffanieG
    Dec 20, 2006
    10
    This album is bangin' from beginning to end...a MUST have for '06 and the rest of your life!!!
  19. TonyB
    Oct 26, 2006
    10
    Best album of 2006 so far.
  20. DavidL
    Oct 3, 2006
    10
    A refreshing, insightful approach to Hip-Hop music that hasn't been around since the hay-days of A Tribe Called Quest, or the advent of Eminem. Completely original style and music sampling, just short of genius. A must buy, by all means.
  21. PostmanP
    Sep 25, 2006
    10
    Best Cd Of The Year
  22. GiovanniD
    Sep 25, 2006
    10
    This is the best album i've herd all year the beat the lyrics are all whoa.
  23. GregF
    Sep 25, 2006
    10
    Best Rap Album of the Year
  24. Ouas
    Sep 25, 2006
    10
    This is classic Status. The only drawback that most people may find in this is there is really no standout track, U know how you can tell what will be the next single on most Cds it's just about impossible to tell on this one. But my man is representin' My State to the fullest. It's better then rhymefest(Blue collar was great but "Food & Liquor" is ridiculous) It's This is classic Status. The only drawback that most people may find in this is there is really no standout track, U know how you can tell what will be the next single on most Cds it's just about impossible to tell on this one. But my man is representin' My State to the fullest. It's better then rhymefest(Blue collar was great but "Food & Liquor" is ridiculous) It's better then College Dropout and Late Registration. It will take a few times through to catch the lyrical content in this one but If he don't get at least mentioned in the New Artist awards next year I'm not ever watch another award show again, I say this is one above The Roots "Game Theory" So that makes this cd. Best Hip Hop album of the year in my book.… Expand
  25. DavidP
    Sep 25, 2006
    10
    Best rap album I've picked up since The College Dropout. definately worth every penny.
  26. joeb
    Sep 26, 2006
    10
    THE best hip hop album of the year by far and the best to come along in a loooong while. Lupe's bringing intelligence back to the game and does it in fine fashion. Looking forward to the follow-up.
  27. GregF
    Sep 26, 2006
    10
    Best Rap Album of the Year
  28. RandyB.
    Sep 27, 2006
    10
    Lupe has gifted us with the most lyrically creative hip hop album in a long time. His innovation is spectacular, and refreshing to listen to. Perfect 10.
  29. haseebm
    Sep 28, 2006
    10
    a breath of fresh air in the monochromatic hip hop game
  30. danmc
    Sep 28, 2006
    10
    A solid CD from start to finish (okay, I didn't listen to all 11 minutes of the Outro....) It's as if Lupe took his notebook of poetry and sketches on society and set them to music...with the help of some of the best producers (Jay-Z and Kanye West) and collaborators such as Jill Scott. This is not traditional hip-hop...what to make of songs such as Kick, Push; Instrumental; and A solid CD from start to finish (okay, I didn't listen to all 11 minutes of the Outro....) It's as if Lupe took his notebook of poetry and sketches on society and set them to music...with the help of some of the best producers (Jay-Z and Kanye West) and collaborators such as Jill Scott. This is not traditional hip-hop...what to make of songs such as Kick, Push; Instrumental; and Hurts Me Soul, where he disses Jay-Z! Lupe is like the one honest person that you know that says everything he feels, whether or not that makes him popular. I didn't think there would be a better rap CD than Fishscale this year, but Food & Liquor may be the best overall CD of the year; certainly the most original.… Expand
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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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